Gardner, Eli 1846-1934

GARDNER, STRAIGHT, FOX, KEAN, DOTY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Clayton County Register, Thur., 20 Sept. 1934.

McGregor: Eli Gardner, 88, the last McGregor Civil War veteran, died Tuesday morning.

He was born at Marion, Ia., and came as a boy to live on a farm in this vicinity . In 1864 he enlisted at Indianapolis in Company B 75, Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until the end of the war.

Following the war he operated a farm near here for 40 years, retiring in 1905 to life in McGregor.

He is survived by his widow and two daughters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday.

____________

Added by S. Ferrall:

McGregor's last civil war veteran responds to the call of the great reaper, death.

Eli Gardner was born in Marion, Iowa, February 11, 1846. When a small boy he moved with his parents to Ion, Iowa, where he lived until he was 18 years of age. Then in 1864 he enlisted at Indianapolis in Company B, 75th Indiana volunteer infantry, and served until the end of the Civil War.

After his discharge from the army, he married to Maryett Straight at Prairie du Chien, Wis. She passed away in 1904.

Mr. Gardner at one time worked at the blacksmith trade. Not being satisfied with it, he closed out, and in 1888 bought a farm on Pleasant Ridge where he lived until 1905, when he retired and came to McGregor to make his home.

In 1908 Mr. Gardner married Phoebe Fox at Boscobel, Wis. They have lived here in McGregor until his death. He had been in poor health for a long time.

Mr. Gardner was a Methodist religiously and was an active worker in the Pleasant Ridge church when he lived on the farm.

He is survived by his widow and Miss Mable Gardner of McGregor and Mrs. H.A. Kean of Tampa, Florida.

Friends and relatives from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Paige, Frank Paige and Mrs. John Greenwood of West Union; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Yearous and Mrs. James Yearous of Elgin; Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Winn of Castalia, and Mr. and Mrs. Keith Gregg of Postville; Mrs. C.F. Finn of Elkader, Mrs. Martin Broderick of Harpers Ferry and Miss Marie Bopelak of Prairie du Chien.

Card of Thanks
We wish to thank all who helped us in this trying time, and especially the American Legion for their services.
Mrs. Gardner and Mable.

Notice of Proof of Will
Estate of Eli Gardner, Deceased. State of Iowa, Clayton County, ss.
To All Whom It May Concern:
You are hereby notified that on the 24th day of September A.D. 1934, in vacation of District Court of Clayton County, Iowa, the Clerk opened and read an instrument in writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Eli Gradner [sic], late of said county, deceased, and you are further notified that the 9th day of October A.D. 1934, has been set by the Clerk as the day for the final hearing and proof of said will, at which time all persons interested may appear and show cause why the same should not be admitted to probate.
Dated September 24th, 1934
G.H. Meyer, Clerk.
W.W. Phelps, Attorney

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, September 27, 1934, pg 2

Note: his gravestone in Council Hill cemetery gives DOB as 02/19/1846 rather than the date given in the obit. He's buried with Maryette and his 2nd wife Phoebe (Doty) Fox Gardner is buried in the Pleasant View / aka Pleasant Ridge cemetery, Bloomfield twp., Winneshiek co. IA. Her obituary is posted on the Winneshiek co. IAGenWeb Obituary Board