E. J. Gard

As printed in 1902

E. J. GARD.

If every young man thoroughly understood and believed what wise men and philosophers are always pointing out—that success almost never comes to anyone without great and persevering effort—the multitude of failures in life would be averted. In countless thousands of instances, especially in the United States, where men are rated at their true personal worth, poor boys have risen to places of prominence and influence because they were not afraid of work and because they were actuated by the commendable ambition to do something and be something worthy of the respect of all mankind. In reviewing the history of E. J. Gard, now engaged in the real estate business in Tremont, we note that the salient features in his career have been earnest, persistent labor and honorable dealing.

He was born in German township, Clark county, January 23, 1834, and is a representative of an old family of Virginia. His grandfather, Job Gard, came from the Old Dominion to Ohio in 1803, and was the first settler in Miami county, upon the site of the present city of Piqua. He followed wagonmaking and repairing and lived to the advanced age of about seventy-six years. In the meantime he removed to Kentucky, where the father of out subject was born, but afterward he returned to Ohio and spent his last days in Clark county, his remains being interred in Rector cemetery.

Gursham Gard, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and at the age of nineteen years accompanied his father on his return to Ohio. In early life he engaged in the operation of rented land, but ultimately he became well-to-do. He deserved great credit for what he had accomplished, as all that he had was acquired through his own diligence and enterprise. He was also widely known as a man of honor and genuine worth. He wedded Mary Peacock, and among their children was the subject of this review.

E. J. Gard was reared upon the home farm, and at the usual age entered the common school, where he acquired a good education. On the 17th of March, 1853, in the village of Tremont, he was married to Miss Martha Friermood, who was also born in German township, her parents being Reuben and Sarah ' (Kiser) Friermood. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and for thirty-two years Mr. Gard was extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. From the time of early spring planting until crops were garnered in the late autumn he earnestly carried on his work, and as the result of his unremitting labor he acquired a handsome competence. At length, however, he sold his farm and removed to Fletcher, Miami county, where he purchased property and made his home for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Clark county and, settling in Tremont, has since engaged in the real estate business, in which he has secured a good clientage. He is thoroughly conversant with values in this section of the state, and has negotiated many important real estate transfers.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gard were born the following children: Albert, who attended school in Lebanon and became a teacher, died of consumption at the age of twenty-one years. Jennie, who was also provided with good educational privileges, became an expert bookkeeper and was employed by the governor of Kansas in general office work and as an accountant. She married Rufus Buck and died in Miami county, Ohio, but was laid to rest in the cemetery of Tremont. Elizabeth is the wife of Elbert Skillman and resides in Piqua, Miami county. Grant died at the age of thirteen years, from the result of accidental shooting. Martha died when about seven years of age. Lillie May, the youngest of the family, died in infancy. Mr. Gard was formerly a Republican in his political views, and voted for John C. Fremont on the organization of the Republican party, but of recent years he has been a Prohibitionist. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as steward and trustee, taking an active part in the work of the church and giving his co-operation to many measures for the general good. He is a fearless champion of what he believes to be right, and at all times his course has been such as to commend him to public confidence and esteem. ——e —

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.