C. C. Gardner

As printed in 1909

C. C. GARDNER.

C. C. Gardner, who for ten years has been engaged in the lumber business in Wellman, Iowa, is a native of Washington county, this state, his entire life, with the exception of about four years, having been spent within its borders. A son of A. M. and Susan Gardner, his birth occurred November 19. 1854. His parents were both natives of Franklin county, Ohio, and the father, coming to Washington county, Iowa, in 1851, bought a piece of land in Seventy-Six township. Two years later he removed his family to this farm and continued to improve the land for several years, bringing the fields under a good state of cultivation. Later he sold the place and purchased another farm in Cedar township, this county, where he resided until 1892, in which year he removed to Washington, Iowa, where he passed away April 30, 1903. His wife still survives and makes her home with her sons, Dr. W. P. and C. C, both of Wellman, and F. P., of Newton, Iowa. In the family were five children but Mary E. and John are both deceased.

C. C. Gardner is indebted to the common schools for his preliminary education and later attended the academy at Washington, Iowa. He then engaged in teaching school during the winter months, continuing in this profession for about six years. In the meantime he had made his home under the parental roof and here remained until he had attained his majority. He then took up agricultural pursuits, renting a farm in Cedar township, where he resided for one year, after which he removed to Smith county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm and resided for four years. At the expiration of this period, however, he sold his place and returned to Washington county, Iowa, where he invested in a farm in Cedar township, which he operated until 1894. Throughout the years of his connection with agricultural pursuits he had met with a creditable degree of success, but thinking that other lines of activity might be more congenial, he sold his farm and in 1894 removed to Wellman, Iowa, where he established himself in the hardware and implement business. He built up a good trade in this connection and was thus successfully engaged until 1899, when he sold out his business and became identified with the lumber trade, conducting a lumberyard in Wellman. He has since devoted his time and energies to this branch of activity and his trade, which has already reached gratifying proportions, is constantly increasing in volume and importance.

On September 17, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gardner and Miss Florence Tipton, a daughter of B. F. and Lucinda Tipton, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. They were both natives of Ohio and shortly after their marriage removed to Cedar township, Washington county, Iowa, where the father still resides, the mother having passed away March 21, 1900. An extensive landowner and stock-raiser, Mr. Tipton acquired a very handsome competence and is today numbered among the wealthy and representative citizens of the county. Moreover, he has been actively identified with political interests here and has represented his district in the state legislature, being the first man of Washington county to be elected for a second term up to that time. He also served on the school board for several years and has ever been found a hearty sympathizer and ready cooperant in all matters pertaining to the material, intellectual, political and moral development of the community.

No child came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, and so they took into their care the niece of Mr. Gardner, Miss Florence Kirkendall. Coming to them when but thirteen months of age, she became the light and life of the household and has since received all the attention and advantages that an own child could have. She has had excellent educational opportunities, being now a student at the University of Iowa City.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take a deep interest in all phases of church work, while the former has been superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years. Well known in fraternal circles, he is a member of blue lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Wellman and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias of Wellman. Although stalwart in his support of the republican party and desirous at all times for the extension of its influence, he has never aspired to public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to devote his undivided time and attention to the duties of his business interests. His devotion to the public welfare has, however, remained unquestioned, for in his citizenship he is true and loyal, withholding his support from no measure which has for its object the growth and upbuilding of the city. In all business dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and straightforward, while his personal worth and sterling characteristics have won for him a large number of warm friends during his residence in Wellman.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.