John Alexander Garrett was born near Carlisle, Sullivan County, Ind. In 1841, he went to Hanover College and then to the University of Indana were he studied under Jacob Ammen (1809-1894). In 1847, he enlisted in Co. G. of the 4th Indiana Volunteers and fought in the Mexican War. He returned to Indiana in July 1848 and worked as a clerk in a dry-goods store. In 1852, he and his brother went to California shipping cattle. On Feb. 17, 1857, Garrett was married to Martha Isabel Williard; the next day the couple left for Iowa. In April 1858, the Garretts arrived in Burlington and in Februray 1859, moved to Newton where Garrett went into a dry-goods business. In August 1861, he raised a company in Jasper County; the unit was designated Co. I of the 10th Iowa Infantry. In September 1862, Garrett was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 22nd, and soon to Colonel of the 40th Iowa Infantry that was then being organized in Iowa City. Until March 1864, the 40th was part of Frederick Steele's Department of Arkansas and then the 7th Army Corps. Following Steele's expedition to Little Rock (1863, Aug. 1 - Sept. 10), the 40th was posted on duty at Little Rock until March 1864. It then took part of Steele's expedition to Camden (Mar. 23 - May 3). Afterwards, the men were stationed at Little Rock and Fort Smith and Fort Gibson. The regiment was mustered out on June 5, 1865 af Fort Gibson. Garrett returned to Newton; he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
From the description of Diary of John A. Garrett, 1864, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 754662364
