J. E. Gardner

As printed in 1909

J. E. GARDNER.

J. E. Gardner, residing on his farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres on sections 7 and 8, Cedar township, was born in this township on the 6th of November, 1860, his parents being James and Eliza (Martin) Gardner. The father, whose birth occurred in Franklin county, Ohio, March 15, 1819, was a son of James and Susanna (Beaver) Gardner, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1775 and the latter in 1790. In 1812 the grandparents of J. E. Gardner made their way to Franklin county, Ohio, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had the following children: Michael, James, Mary, Susanna, Villinda, Nancy and Joseph, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of James, the father of our subject.

James Gardner obtained his education in a little log cabin characteristic of those early times and remained at home until he had attained the age of twenty-three years. He then operated a part of his father's farm as a renter for eleven years and in 1853 removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where he bought a farm and resided for four years, when he disposed of the property. In 1857 he came to Washington county, Iowa, purchasing the farm which has continued his place of residence to the present time. He paid less than ten dollars an acre for the land but as the years have gone by he has

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On the 6th of October, 1842. James Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ann Martin, whose birth occurred in West Virginia in 1820, her parents being William and Ann (Conway) Martin. William Martin was eighty-five years of age when he passed away in Washington county, Iowa, and the death of his wife occurred in Ohio. Their family numbered eight children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Gardner were born eleven children, namely: Cliarles, who is deceased; Margaret A., the wife of John Eyestone, of Mount Vernon, Iowa; Zerrilda, who has also passed away: F. M., who is a resident of Guthrie county, Iowa; Joseph, of Wellman, Iowa; Winfield, who is a minister residing at Mount Pleasant; William, living in Chicago, Illinois; Lewis, at home; Ezra, who is engaged in farming; Samuel, of Indianola, Iowa; and Mary, deceased.

In his political views Mr. Gardner has always been a stanch republican and cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. He capable served as township trustee and also as a member of the school board for a number of years and was identified with the Good Templars. For the past forty-two years both he and his wife have been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active and helpful interest in its work. They have now attained the venerable age of ninety years and enjoy the warm friendship and regard of all with whom they have been associated during the long years of their residence in Washington county.

J. E. Gardner, whose name initiated this review, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until he was married at the age of twenty-eight years. Throughout his active business career he has been identified with agricultural pursuits, now owning one hundred and sixty-five acres of land on sections 7 and 8, Cedar township. He also makes a specialty of feeding cattle, sheep and hogs and owing to his untiring industry and capable business management, has met with a well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Gardner those Miss Viola Ashby, whose birth occurred in Washington county, September II, 1862, her parents being E. W. H. and Elizabeth (Ihrig) Ashby, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The year 1862 witnessed the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Ashby in this county and they are still numbered among the well known and respected residents here. Mrs. Gardner, who was one of a family of seven children, has become the mother of four children, namely: Edna M., who was born in July, 1890, and is now attending the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; Wade A., born September 20, 1893; Violet, whose birth occurred April 20, 1896; and James H., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 27th of October, 1901.

Mr. Gardner exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican part and has been township clerk for four years and also school director for several years. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America at Wellman, Iowa. Both he and his wife have a wide acquaintance throughout the county in which their entire lives have been spent, having ever displayed those sterling traits of character which command esteem and regard.

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.