GARDNER, A. A.

GARDNER, RUGGLES, GAGE, WOOD, PANGBURN, EDMONDS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 20:26:49

HON, A . A. GARDNER. 

Hon. A. A. Gardner, ex-representative and a retired farmer, residing in the village of Lost Nation, has been a resident of Clinton county since 1856. He is a native of New York, born in Otsego county June 3, 1833, and is a son of Dr. Marlin and Clarissa (Ruggles) Gardner, who were natives of Massachusetts, and where they resided until after their marriage, when they removed to New York state, where the father continued to engage in the practice of medicine until 1843, when he removed with his family to Kane county, Illinois. He located in the town of Blackberry, and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres near that place, which his sons operated while he followed his profession. In 1855 he sold his property in Kane county, Illinois, and removed to Linn county, Iowa, buying a farm in Paola township. He engaged in practice in that locality until his death, which occurred in 1857. His wife died in Blackberry, Illinois. Of the six children born to them only two are now living, namely: Jane, wife of H. Gage, who resided in the state of Washington; and A. A., of this review.

The subject of this sketch began his education in the common schools of his native state, and continued his studies in Kane county, Illinois, after the family located there. On the 6th of September, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss A. D. Wood, who was born in Ohio, August 4, 1936m and is a daughter of Professor Steven and Letitia (Pangburn) Wood. To our subject and his wife were born four children, but the only one now living is John L., who was born May 10, 1855, and is now a prominent farmer of Sharon township, this county. He married Orre Edmonds, and they have three children, Henry A., Gertrude and LeRoy. Those of our subject’s family now deceased were Carrie, William LeRoy and Jennie S.

In 1856 Mr. Gardner came to Clinton county, Iowa, and settled in Sharon township, where he bought one hundred and twenty acres of government land at one dollar per acre. He made all the improvements upon his place and successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1894, when he removed to Lost Nation and has since lived retired, though he still owns two hundred and eighty acres of valuable farming land which he rents. He was a progressive and practical farmer, as well as a man of good business and executive ability, and to these characteristics may be attributed his success.

As a Republican Mr. Gardner has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs, and on his party ticket was elected to the state legislature in 1878, although his district was strongly Democratic. He also served as supervisor of his township one year, and has filled the offices of assessor and trustee, besides other minor positions. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Lost Nation and other fraternal orders.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.