Gardner, Daniel O - 1833-1898

GARDNER

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/27/2010 at 12:37:17

The bugle call which sooner or later will summon the last surviving comrade of the civil war to pitch his tent on the other shore, was answered by Comrade Gardner of Perkins, last Thursday morning, June 23, at 9 o'clock.

Since early in March our old comrade and friend has been racked with disease and pain, with now and then a cheerful hope that he would recover. These hopes came and fled until last Saturday, when a severe relapse came and all hope vanished. His ailments were a complication of diseases growing out of exposures during his army life.

Comrade Daniel O. Gardner, son of Julius and Ruth (Odell) Gardner, was born in Attica. N.J., May 23, 1833. He enlisted March 1863, in Co. E 24th Iowa regiment, this being called the temperance regiment. He served faithfully until 1865 when he was discharged. His first engagement was on Red River near Shreveport, Louisiana. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Opequon, Virginia, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. He then went with his company to Baltimore and soon after joined Sherman at Savannah. The regiment remained here until Sherman's forces went to Kingston, going from there to Goldsborough, N.C., where it remained until after Johnston's surrender. It marched to Augusta, GA and took part in the capture of that place, afterwards returning to Savannah where it remained until it was mustered out.

Mr. Gardner came to Sioux County in the spring of 1872, where he has since resided and has been one of the most prominent men of the county. He was elected justice of the peace in 1872. This position he has held ever since, with the exception of three years during which time he was postmaster of Hull. From 1872 to 1875 he was county surveyor. He has also been constable, town clerk, a member of the school board for many years and a notary public. He was a republican in politics and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the state and nation. He was a member of the Ancient-Free and Accepted Masons, Sapphire Lodge No. 427 of Hull, being a charter member. He was an influential member of the G.A.R. Post No. 76, having been first adjutant. Mr. Gardner was known as one upright in character, honest in business matters, kind as a neighbor, loyal as a comrade. He leaves a loving and devoted wife and four children (three daughters and one son) to mourn his loss. His domestic life revealed him as a man fond of home, a loving, devoted husband and indulgent father. As a citizen he has lived above reproach and as such has had the esteem of all who knew him. He has gone, and the old comrades, together with those who shared with him in the early settlement of Sioux County, extend their hearfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Sioux County Hearld, Orange City, June 29, 1898