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         HUGH GARDNER, residing on section 22, Morning Sun Township, is one of the earlier and prominent pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, having become a resident in 1838, while yet a young man. He was born June 28, 1821, in Mifflin County, Pa., and is a son of Hugh and Mary (McFadden) Gardner. His father was a native of Ireland, and previous to his emigration to America followed surveying. On coming to this country he located in Mifflin County, Pa., where he made the acquaintance of the lady whom he wedded Dec. 27, 1810, Mrs. Mary Reneston, whose maiden name was McFadden, and who was a native of Pennsylvania. She was the widow of Henry Reneston, and by that union had five children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were the parents of six children: Rosanna, who was born Sept. 11, 1811, wedded William Savage, and after his death became the wife of Thomas Simpson, and died about the year 1882; Davidson, born March 20, 1813, died about the year 1876; Mary was three times married, her last husband being J. G. Beeson, now deceased, and she is a resident of Cass County, Mich., being now in her seventy-third year; Sarah, born Jan. 28, 1817, is the wife of H. H. Mickey, a resident farmer of Fredonia, Louisa Co., Iowa; Jane, born June 8, 1819, became the wife of Zadok Jarvis, who became a resident of Louisa County, and here lived until his death, which occurred in June, 1886, his wife having preceded him to their final home in February, 1845. They were among the most highly respected citizens of Louisa County. Our subject is the youngest of the family. The father of these children departed this life Feb. 16, 1821, the mother dying in May, 1852. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gardner lived and died in Mifflin County, Pa., but in 1825 the family removed to Indiana, where . . .

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. . . they resided until 1833, and then became residents of Michigan, where the mother died in 1852, as above stated.

Our subject’s school days began in his native county, where he resided until 1825. He never knew a father’s love or care, as Mr. Gardner died four months previous to his birth. When he was but four years of age the mother removed with her family to Wayne County, Ind., where he again attended the common schools, residing there until 1833, when they removed to Cass County, Mich. Mr. Gardner made that his home until 1838, when he decided to try his fortune in the new Territory of Iowa. Coming to Louisa County he here worked by the month till 1843, when he was united in marriage with Martha J. Newland, who was born May 15, 1824, in Union County, Ind., and is a daughter of John H. and Sarah (Huff) Newland, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Kentucky. The family removed to Indianapolis, Ind., in 1828, and from there to Des Moines County, Iowa, crossing the river at Burlington July 4, 1838, and locating in Pleasant Grove Township, where the parents remained until their death, the father dying about the year 1842, the mother departing this life Jan. 6, 1843.

After the marriage of our subject, which occurred on the 22d of October, 1843, he and his young wife remained in Des Moines County for a time, but later became residents of Morning Sun Township, Louisa County. They here rented a farm, making it their home until 1855, when Mr. Gardner made his first purchase of land, consisting of 127 ½ acres on section 1, Washington Township, Des Moines County. In 1864 he began turning his attention to raising hogs, and that year sold one lot at $10.18 per hundred. For the lot he received $1,000, which, together with what he had saved, he paid for his farm. Ten happy years passed on this farm, but at the expiration of that time Mr. Gardner sold out, and purchased 160 acres of the land in Morning Sun Township which was preempted by Zadok Jarvis in 1838.

Mr. Gardner is one of the self-made men of Louisa County. Starting out in life without a dollar, he has by energy, enterprise and good management won a comfortable competency, and by his honesty and fair dealing gained the confidence and respect of the people with whom he comes in contact. When he first came to this county in 1838 the Territory was but a wild waste of land, the prairies were unbroken, the timber uncut, and settlements few and far between. For half a century he has been an eye witness to the rapid changes that have taken place. The most far-sighted could not have imagined the mighty progress that has been carried on. In 1843 and 1844 Mr. Gardner made a trip to New Orleans on a flatboat, at that time requiring from seven to twelve weeks to make the journey, which now could be made in about a week. Mr. Gardner has held various township offices, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the office of Trustee. In his political views he is a stanch Democrat.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been the parents of one child, who was born July 27, 1844, and died June 5, 1854.