John Ruth Garman

At the age of 16, John quit school to learn the shoemaking trade.

                   Birth of the Garman Reunion

On June 4, 1916, 30 years after settling in Kansas, John and Mary gathered all their children and families from surrounding counties of Cowley, Sumner, Stevens, Morton and Reno to meet their Uncle Amos S. and wife Anna V. (Kyle) Garman who were visiting from Akron, Ohio. A great feast was enjoyed by 46 family members. There was no specific time set for another reunion and they only met for funerals, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners but not everyone was present at all times.

When it came time to celebrate John and Mary Jane's 60th Wedding Anniversary on May 29,1933, invitations were sent to the Garman family and friends. The event was a basket dinner attended by 80 friends and relatives. Following the excellent dinner a meeting was held where it was decided that a Family Reunion would be held at this time every year per John's wish. The Garman Genealogy Book was started and would be available to all families to view at each reunion.