John H. Garner veterinary surgeon, Santa Ana, was horn in Ogden City, Utah, June 26, 1850, the fourth son of John and Olive (Rossen) Garner, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Missouri. His father was one of the pioneers who crossed the plains to California in 1851 with ox teams, locating in San Bernardino, where he followed farming for a period of twenty-eight years. He died at the age of sixty-one years.
J. H., our subject, at the age of twenty-one years started out in the world for himself. He had previously, at the age of fourteen years, mastered many of the principles of the profession which he has so successfully practiced ever since. He was naturally a student, and at the age of eighteen years he was a proficient veterinary surgeon. At this time he was given the responsible charge of race horses. He began business by buying lame and diseased horses, curing them and selling them at advanced figures. This he followed until 1870, when he teamed for a year on the desert. After this he put teams on the construction of the railroad to Spadra, and ran the veterinary business along-side. In 1878 he moved to Newport, where he followed farming until he was washed out by the floods.
In 1884, with a sick family and being $800 in debt, he moved to Santa Ana and bargained for residence property on the corner of Fourth and Ross streets, and also for other lots on First and Parton streets, where he ran a ” Sick Horse Infirmary.” Since that time Mr. Garner has worked up a lucrative practice, and his skill in the profession is known far and wide. He has served as inspector for diseased horses in Los Angeles County, and at present holds that position by appointment in Orange County. He has discovered a remedy for lockjaw in horses, which, though simple, deserves special notice. Out of 168 cases treated, over two-thirds were cured.
Of his more private life it may be said that he was married November 6, 1870, to Miss Nettie Ames, daughter of Ellis and Olive Ames, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. They had fourteen children, and crossed the plains to California in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Garner have had eight children in all, four of whom are living, viz.: John, Guy S., Albert and Ernest. The deceased are: Olive, Ida, Maria and Robert.
