AARON J. GARLOW


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II.
pg. 358.



The splendid success which has attended the fortunes of the 
Second National Bank of Morgantown attests the sagacity, 
foresight and financial skill of its president, Aaron J. 
Garlow, whose watchful care and fidelity have contributed to 
its upbuilding and perpetuation.  The life of the banker is 
less conspicuous before the world than that of a member of a 
learned profession, or of one who mingles in public affairs, 
but is none the less one of arduous labor, through engrossment, 
and requiring a high order or organizing talent, watchfulness 
of the trend of affairs, and financial skill.  The wrecks of 
financial barks which stated on their voyages with favoring 
winds and brilliant prospects, scattered all along the reefs
which border business waters, prove how uncertain and 
capricious is success in banking life.  The strictest fidelity,
the utmost watchfulness, good judgment and experience are 
often unavailing to conteract the effects of contraction in
monetary credits, the casualties of bad crops and unprofitable
business, as well as a multitude of other influences which
render conditions unstable.  For more than a quarter of a
century as president of this institution Mr. Garlow has
guided its destinies into the safe port of prosperity, and
its soundness and stability redound immeasurably to his
credit and establish firmly his personal reputaion as an
able banker.

Mr. Garlow was a native of West Virginia and is descended
from one of the pioneer families of Monongalia County.  He
was born on the old Garlow homestead in Cass District, 
Monongalia County, November 4, 1858, and is a son of the 
late John Garlow.  His paternal great-grandfather was
Christopher Garlow, who settled on land secured form the 
United States Government in Cass Township in 1772.  
Christopher Garlow's son, Andrew Garlow, the grandfather of
Aaron J., was born in new Jersey, and was a youth when he
accompanied his parents to Monongalia County.  After his
marriage he settled on his farm on Crooked Run in Cass
District, and there rounded out a long and honorable career
in the pursuits of agriculture.  John Garlow, the son of
Andrew and father of Aaron J. Garlow, was born in Cass
District in 1812, and received a public school education.
In making his choice of a career he followed in the
footsteps of his father and adopted farming and stockraising.
A man of industry and good judgment, as well as of inherent
ability, he developed large interests in the way of landed
possessions and was not only a prosperous general farmer,
but was also a leader of in the business of dealing in
horses, cattle and sheep of his own raising.  As his
possessions increased he utilized his business ability
and rare judgment in  dealing in real estate, and in this
direction greatly increased the value of his estate,
which was a large one at his death.  Mr. Garlow was a man
of the strictest integrity, who bore an excellent reputation
in his community, not alone in business matters, but because
of his public-spirited citizenship.  He married Miss Susan
Ross, the daughter of Enoch Ross, an early settler of 
Monongalia County.

Aaron J. Garlow acquired his education in the public shcools
of Cass District, and being reared to agricultural pursuits,
was engaged therein for a number of years.  Like his father
and grandfather, he was successful in his operations both as 
a farmer and a raiser of livestock, but his business and
financial ability eventually led him to the city, he
removing to Morgantown in 1900.  Prior to this time, in 1894, 
he had become a member of the Board of Directors of the
Second National Bank of Morgantown, and in the following
year was elected president of that institution, a position
in which he has remained to the present time.  He likewise
has numerous other interests, having been identified with
a number of leading industries, all of which have profited
through his connection with them.  He is president of the
Morgantown Ice Company, of the Union Traction Company and
of the Monongalia Building and Loan Association.  He is
treasurer of the Morgantown Hardware Company, until 
succeeded by his son Homer G. Garlow, in that position.
Mr. Garlow is a member of the American Banking Association.
He has always shown a public-spirited interest in civic
affairs, and has lent his influence, time and means in
the forwarding of movements which have promised to aid
in the development and progress of his city.  With his
family he belongs to the First Presyterian Church of
Morgantown.

In 1884, in Monongalia County, Mr. Garlow was united in
marriage with Miss Rebecca Carothers, the daughter of
John W. Carothers, an agriculturist of this county,
and to this union have been born two children:  Sadie,
who is the wife of Dr. Harry G. Crow, a practicing
physician of South Bend, Indiana; and Homer Gay,
teasurer of the Morgantown Hardware Company and 
operator of the parental farm.


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