Decatur County Journal
November 3, l904

JOHN W. GARDNER was born in Carroll County, Ohio, May 30, l830. He
departed this life at Leon, Iowa, October 30, l904, aged 74 years and 5
months.

He was the fourth child of JOHN and REBECCA GARDNER, who were among the
pioneers of Decatur County. While yet a young man, at the age of l9, he
united with the Christian Church and was ever a loyal member of the
church.

He was married in Stark County, Ohio, October l0, l850, to MARY M.
COMBS, who was born in the same county and who preceded him in death
eleven years ago. Their family consisted of five children, SYLVESTER
E., July l4, l85l; BENJAMIN F., August l6, l853, who preceded their
father in death some five years ago; the remaining three, ANNIE M.,
November ll, l855; GEORGE O., July 27, l858, and WILLIAM A., August ll,
l863, were with their father in his recent illness, doing all things
possible in their loving ministrations to make his last hours as easy as
possible.

Three years after the marriage of JOHN W. GARDNER and MARY M. COMBS,
they moved to the northern part of Iowa where they spent one winter, he
being engaged in teaching school. It was in the spring of l854 that
they came to Decatur County, locating a short distance northwest of
Leon.

UNCLE JOHN GARDNER, as he is familiarly known, in recent years has made
his home with his daughter, MRS. ANNIE M. CURRY, of Leon. It is with
joy in our Lord that we can bear testimony to the earnest Christian
character of Brother GARDNER. From the beginning of the work of the
Christian Church in Leon, UNCLE JOHN GARDNER has taken a deep interest
in the success of the work. His departure leaves with us but a few of
the charter members of this congregation. No advance step has been
planned or undertaken but what UNCLE JOHN was interested--ready to do
his part to make it a success. It may do us all good to know that the
care of the church rested upon his heart.

His interest in life since the departure of his beloved wife seemed to
wane, yet he was ever anxious to know that the Lord's work prospered.
There is a sadness in the going from our midst of such brethren as
Brother GARDNER. One by one our fathers pass to their reward and the
mantle of their office falls upon our shoulders.
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Decatur County Journal
November l0, l904

In the death of JOHN W. GARDNER, the county has lost one of its noblest
citizens. He was honest, industrious, temperate--an ideal American
citizen. In l857, MR. GARDNER and a man named Bradley were engaged in
selling goods in a frame building on the site now occupied by the Evans
Block. When the crash came, the firm suffered and Bradley ran off and
left MR. GARDNER the debts to pay. This he did to the last cent and
went to work with characteristic energy to repair his broken fortunes in
which he was very successful. There never was a better citizen than
JOHN W. GARDNER. None knew him but to love him; none named him but to
praise. His memory will be cherished in the hearts of all who knew him.
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