The Rev. John Sawyer, who was an active and useful agent in the employ of the Maine Missionary Society from 1810 to 1850, in promoting education, morality, and religion throughout the State, made his home chiefly in this town. He died, however, at Bangor, on the 14th of October, 1858, at the remarkable age of one hundred and thirty years in good words and works had continued until he was past his ninetieth year.

A Congregational Society, known by the name of Garland Church, but including members from Foxcroft, Sangerville, and Dexter, was gathered the 1st of March, 1810, by the Rev. Messrs. John Sawyer, Mighill Blood, and Hezekiah May. It has enjoyed the long pastorate of the Rev. Peter B. Thayer from 1847 to this time -- nearly thirty-five years.

The Free Baptists of Garland had the services of Elder C. C. Foster in their pulpit. The Methodist charge was temporarily vacant at last accounts.

The town is well supplied with schools. The Garland High School was organized in 1848. The first school in the township was taught in 1806, at the house of the pioneer Joseph Garland, by William Mitchell.

The first saw-mill in the town was set going in the fall of 1802, the first year of settlement. There are now two saw and shingle mills, one saw, grist, and shingle mill, one saw and grist mill, one shingle machine, and one planing and sawing mill in town.

Frame buildings, as might reasonably be argued from the date of establishment of the saw-mill, began to appear in Garland as early as 1803, when several were erected. It is now one of the best built towns in the county.

Garland has nine merchants of different classes, one boot and shoe factory, one harness-maker, one carriage-maker, one maker of egg-cases, and three smiths. There are two resident physicians, both allopathic. There is also one hotel, the Tremont House.