The GARLOCH Family Line: Ivan Garlock

Ivan, ("Ive") the youngest son of John Mack Garloch and Sadie Chamness was only two years old when his mother died. All but Melvin, the oldest son, were placed in the Oddfellows Home in Greenville, Indiana. They could only stay there for one year. When it came time for them to leave there the twins could work [about 10 years old] and so were taken in by relatives and Melvin worked for room and board. Ivan and Sherm were too young and were put in an orphanage in Kentucky. Ivan can't remember much about the experience but he does remember that while he was in there he and some of the boys got into the kitchen and ate too much peanut butter and to this day he can't stand peanut butter.

When John Mack got the family back together in the low-income area of Quaker Hill in Sebring, Ivan remembers times being very hard and money scarce. Sherm was really good at billiards and would shoot some pool and come up with some extra money for them to do things. The boys would earn extra money by picking berries. They were paid by the number of buckets they filled and they got caught lining the bottom of the bucket with straw and stones so it would fill up faster.

About 1932 Ivan married Mabel "Mae" Culler. During most of their married life they lived in Canal Fulton near Mae's parents and spent a lot of time with them. Ivan was very close to his father-in-law. Their only son, Richard, was born at home in 1934.

Ivan had 2 English setter hunting dogs. He was offered a lot of money for one of them who was a champion–aptly named "Champ"–but Ivan wouldn't part with him. Ivan went fishing every chance he got as a kid and he still goes whenever he can. He was known as a very good fisherman and loves trout fishing.

Ivan worked at Mullins Manufacturing for many years. During World War II he was deferred because his work was important to the defense effort. He was superintendent of the Shell Line that made casings for the 105 Howitzers.

Mae worked in the General Electric Light Bulb factory during the war. She said they tested the bulbs by bumping them on the side of tables to test the durability of the filament. The bulbs were for the Norman bombsights for airforce bombers.

After the war, Mae's brother, Harold Culler, took out a GI loan and he and Ivan went into the restaurant business. The Avalon Restaurant was located in Hanoverton, Ohio on old Route 30, known as the Lincoln Highway. Ivan and Harold built the restaurant building them selves, by hand, from the ground up. After about 5 years Ivan bought out his brother-in-law and he and his family ran the business themselves. Mae worked at the restaurant and so did Richard throughout high school. They had up to 50 employees at one time.

[To be continued by Betty Hannay Garlock]

The Garloch Family Line, con't.

The Family of Ivan Wesley GARLOCK and Mabel "Mae" CULLER