Born in Virginia in 1846, Thomas Sargent Garland, a Democrat, was elected mayor in 1887 and again in 1890.
Garland came to Huntington in 1871 and opened a dry goods business with his brother-in-law, Peter Cline Buffington. That partnership continued until Buffington’s death in 1875. Garland then continued in business by himself until 1887 when he went into partnership with John W. Valentine. Another partnership was formed in 1908 when the firm became the Valentine, Garland & Biggs Co. The new company then built a store in the 900 block of 4th Avenue where the Keith-Albee Theatre now stands.
Garland died in 1918.
