Indictment for unlawful cohabitation

According to the Utah Territorial Case Files available at Footnote.com, Archibald Gardner was indicted on seven counts of unlawful cohabitation in the Third District Court on 7 August 1886 (case number 112). A warrant for his arrest was issued that same day. The indictment was based on testimony given before the grand jury by Reuben Gardner, Carrie Andrews (Andrus), Jane Gardner, Delilah Gardner, and Louisa Savage. The seven counts were based on seven time periods when Archibald was said to have lived with Margaret Gardner, Jane Gardner, Althea Gardner, and May (Mary) Gardner.

Delila Gardner Hughes wrote of the time that Archibald was hiding from the law in her book, Life of Archibald Gardner. She mentioned Mary Larsen Gardner's indignation when a deputy searched her bedding box, and I have always remembered that story. Mary stated, "Mr. Franks, you will never find Bishop Gardner hiding in a bedding box; you will find him on a canal or digging a mill race or at some public gathering." To this the deputy is said to have replied, "I know that, Mrs. Gardner, but you know we must do our duty. We have known where Mr. Gardner was many times but we have gone on and left him doing good, unmolested." (p. 182)

Having remembered that story through the years, I never realized that Archibald had actually been indicted and that his children and one of his wives had been required to testify in front of a grand jury. I can't imagine the feelings of his adult children and his wife as they were required to tell the truth in a court of law, knowing that their father and husband could be jailed upon conviction. It does seem interesting that (to my knowledge) Archibald was never arrested. That circumstance seems to support the idea that the deputies and marshals might have known where he was in all of his public activities and avoided "finding" him.

According to a case file against Brigham Young, he and an entire list of others had their cases dismissed on 19 December 1892 "for the reason that at this late day it will be impossible to procure the evidence necessary to sustain the charges in each of said indictments." Archibald Gardner was included on that list. After eight years of avoiding the law, including moving some of his families to Afton, Wyoming, Archibald was able to continue his life without fear of arrest.

Elizabeth Dowding Gardner Hall: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 11 August 1921, p. 3:



Mrs. Elizabeth D. Hall Dies After Long Illness

(Special to the News.)
MIDVALE, Aug. 11--Mrs. Elizabeth Dowding Hall, for many years a well known and esteemed resident of Midvale, died in a Salt Lake hospital Wednesday afternoon, following a long illness. She was the widow of Allan Hall and was born in England 69 years ago.

Mrs. Hall is survived by two sons, Arthur G. and Clyde A. Hall; three grandchildren; two brothers, David and James Dowding, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Engler.

Funeral services will be held at the C. I. Goff mortuary chapel in Midvale Saturday afternoon, August 13 beginning at one o'clock. Pursuant to the wishes of the deceased, friends are requested not to send flowers. Interment will be in the Sandy cemetery.

Sarah Jane Hamilton Gardner Howard: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News on 17 March 1924, p. 7:


Riverton Octogenarian Answers Call of Death

RIVERTON, March 17. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Jane Hamilton Howard, 81, who died Sunday at the family residence will be held in the Riverton ward chapel March 19 at 1 p.m. Interment will be in the South Jordan cemetery.

Mrs. Howard was born in Goodrich, Canada, June 11, 1842, and came to Utah in 1852. She married Archibald Gardner in 1857, by whom she had one son, James H. Gardner of Lehi, and in 1865 married Samuel L. Howard, who died in 1906. Three sons survive by this union: Samuel H. Riverton; Robert L. Howard, Blackfoot, Ida.; J. Reuben Howard, Gunnison; Mrs. Samuel H. Beckstead, South Jordan; Mrs. Joseph S. H. Bodell, Wellsville; Mrs. Emanuel M. Olson, West Jordan; Mrs. W. A. Crane, Herriman; also 50 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

Sarah Livingston Gardner Haun: Death notice

The following was located in the Journal History of the Church, 23 Aug 1889. This article was published in the Deseret Evening News on 26 Aug 1889, but the copy of the paper that I accessed was unreadable.

With deep regret we learn of the death on Friday last of the wife of Brother C. D. Haun, of West Jordan. She was the daughter of Bishop Archibald Gardner, and a most estimable woman.

NOTE: Two of Archibald's daughters were married to Charles Haun, but other records confirm that this death notice refers to Sarah Livingston Gardner Haun.

Brigham Ozro Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Star Valley Independent, 11 Oct 1957, pp. 1, 10:

Services Held for Star Valley Pioneer

Brigham Ozro Gardner, Star Valley pioneer, passed away Wednesday, October 2, 1957 at the LDS Hospital at Afton, Wyoming of causes incident to age.

Mr. Gardner was the son of Archibald Gardner and Laura Althea Thompson, 1847 pioneers to Salt Lake City, Utah. His father was a polygamist and Ozro was his forty-second child. With the passing of Ozro, all members of this large family have gone on, with the exception of six members of the last family who survive him. They are Bruce, Clarence, Edward, Wilford, Frank Gardner and Lillian Garner.

Ozro was born at West Jordan, Utah, March 17, 1872 and he spent his boyhood days there. When he was a young man he came to Star Valley to operate a saw mill which was owned by his father. He became acquainted with Emma Michaelson of Thayne, Wyoming, or Glencoe as it was then called. Emma was also a member of a polygamist family and her mother had recently moved to Star Valley from St. Charles, Idaho, where Emma was born. They had an unusual and thrilling romance and were married November 8, 1893 in the Salt Lake Temple. They made their home two miles north of Afton, where they took up a homestead. To this union were born nine sons and three daughters.

As the family grew Mr. Gardner was able to build a home three different times to accommodate his large family. This family was a very busy and happy one and the home north of Afton became a sacred institution to all of the members, and their children.

After most of the children were married, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner moved to their home in Afton. Shortly after this Mrs. Gardner suffered a stroke which made her an invalid and three years later she passed away. That was eleven years ago and during that time Mr. Gardner has maintained his home at Afton alone, except for some assistance from his family and friends. He preferred the feeling of independence in his own home to any other way of life.

Mr. Gardner was interested in building up his community and in 1911 and 1912 he was a member of the House of Representatives. He was Water Commissioner of this district for 17 years. He was interested in sports and in the world about him. As a young man he was an expert rifleman and a proficient swimmer and diver.

During the flu epidemic in 1918 and 1919 he rendered much service in the community. He was an active member of the LDS Church. For five years he was the Superintendent of the YM-MIA; for six years a member of the Stake Sunday School and Stake MIA organizations; for 14 years a member of the Afton Ward Bishopric when Bp. Osborne Low was the bishop; he was in the High Council a number of years and in the High Priests' Quorum presidency for 12 year; he has worked as Advisor to the Senior Aaronic Priesthood members for many years and has been a Ward Teacher for most of his life. He was a Ward Teacher until just prior to his death. He has been a faithful and devoted member of the Church all his life. In all of the service which he rendered he "walked humbly before the Lord" He was not beset with doubts and confusions for he received many remarkable manifestations of the life beyond the grave. During the last six weeks of his illness he did not complain and he appreciated everything that was done for his comfort.

He took great pride in his family and encouraged them to activity in the church. He sent three sons on foreign missions. Mr. Gardner and his wife and their family also made a great contribution in the field of music to the communities where they live. He has a great many friends among all ages, who will miss his kindly advice, and he always claimed that he had the best neighbors in the world. Surely he left a great and noble heritage to his family by the life that he lived and the guidance he gave to them.

His wife and three children preceded him in death, two during infancy and Arch who passed away in 1950. He is survived by six sons and three daughters, W. Ivan Gardner, Afton, Wyo.; Arling Gardner, Gulfport, Miss.; J. Obed and Orrin Gardner, Logan, Utah; Lloyd Gardner, Midvale, Utah; Mrs. Enoch Hillyard (Elona), Logan, Utah; Mrs. Elno Draney (Laura), Afton; and Mrs. John A. Hopkin (Bonita), Palo Alto, Calif. He is also survived by 51 grandchildren and 61 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, at 1 p.m. in the Afton First Ward Chapel where many relatives and friends met to pay tribute to him. There was a profusion of flowers filling to overflowing the room where he laid in state at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elno Draney. Interment was in the Afton cemetary.

Clarence Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Star Valley Independent on 30 October 1959, pp. 1, 12:

Clarence Gardner, Church, Civic Leader, Dies at 84

Clarence Gardner, 84, pioneer, church and civic leader of Star Valley, passed quietly away at the Star Valley LDS Hospital, Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 a.m. with the members of his family at his bedside.

Clarence Gardner was born at West Jordan, Utah, Nov. 6, 1875, where his father, Archibald Gardner, was bishop, millman and farmer. When he was 14, his father moved his family to Star Valley.

They established their home and set up their mills at the mouth of Swift Creek Canyon, east of the present site of Afton. He worked with his father and brothers in the grist, saw, shingle mills and on the planer. While logging for the mills with his brothers in the nearby mountains, he discovered the intermittent spring. They were the first white men to see it. It now furnishes the greater portion of the Afton water supply.

At the age of 16, he began to keep the accounts and books for the mills, a position he held until his recent illness.

He was married to Alice Ann Burton, Oct. 8, 1897 in the Salt Lake Temple.

From his boyhood, he was an enthusiastic and energetic church worker, using his leadership to encourage and support every progressive undertaking that would benefit his community or church.

He took delight in good music and was instrumental in establishing the first band in Star Valley, learning to play the cornet in this band. They played at the early celebrations in the valley. He helped to start a choir, and sang in the choir in his ward in Afton for 40 years.

He filled a mission to the Eastern States, where later his son Elworth and his granddaughter Elma also labored.

He worked as a teacher and in the superintendency of the MIA and Sunday School organizations in both ward and stake capacities.

When the Star Valley Stake was first organized, he was appointed a counselor to President George Osmond. At the death of President Osmond, he was appointed stake president. This position he filled with complete devotion for 27 years.

Through his influence as stake president, he was able to assist greatly in many church and civic improvements for the benefit of Star Valley. The building of the Star Valley Stake Tabernacle, Seminary and the LDS Hospital came about while he was stake president. They were always a source of special interest and pride to him.

As a civic and community leader he also wielded a strong influence in the affairs of Star Valley. After the incorporation of Afton as a town, he was its second mayor, elected in the year 1905. He also served as a councilman later.

He represented Star Valley and Lincoln County in the State Legislature for a period of 22 years, 18 of which he was a senator. While holding this office he held the position of President of the Senate, receiving many honors, such as Acting Governor on two different occasions.

His two terms representing Star Valley as county commissioner gave him further opportunity to serve for the benefit of his beloved valley.

Another public service in which he took great pride and satisfaction was his connection with Star Valley State Bank, in which he served as president of the board of directors for 30 years, holding this position at the time of his death.

Millman, dairyman, farmer, he struggled against many odds, always anxious to build up Star Valley's industry.

He was associated as a partner with his son, Kenneth in the local Western Auto Associate Store.

He was a tender, loving husband and father, taking great pride and satisfaction in his home and family. He had four sons and one daughter. Only his daughter Mrs. Herman (Marian) Fluckiger of Bedford and his son Kenneth Grant Gardner of Afton survive him.

He has 11 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, all living.

He is also survived by his brothers Bruce and Frank Gardner, of Afton, with whom he has constantly been associated in the milling business; his brother Wilford W. Gardner of Salt Lake City; and his sister, Mrs. Lillian W. Garner, of Hooper, Utah.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. in the stake tabernacle, with Bp. Gray Hillstead of the Osmond Ward, conducting. A large crowd of relatives and friends paid their last respects to him. He was buried in the Afton Cemetery.

Andrew Bruce Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Star Valley Independent, 10 October 1963, pages 1 and 6:

A. Bruce Gardner,
Valley Pioneer,
Dies at Age 89

A. Bruce Gardner, 89, respected citizen of Afton and one of Star Valley's earliest pioneers, died at the Star Valley LDS Hospital in Afton Wednesday morning, following a stroke and two weeks of hospital confinement.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the Afton First Ward Chapel, under the direction of the First Ward Bishopric. Friends may call Thursday afternoon from 1 p.m. on at the Schwab Mortuary, or after 10 a.m. Friday morning at the Milford Gardner home.

He was born Feb. 5, 1874, the oldest of seven children born to Archibald and Mary Gardner, at West Jordan, Utah. His father was an empire builder who settled with the Mormons in Utah. As a boy, Bruce worked with his father building sawmills and flour mills and canals in Utah and Wyoming. When he was 16 years old he came to Star Valley, 1890, settling in Afton, and the Gardners built and operated both a sawmill and flour mill, both water-powered. Bruce continued to be associated with this pioneer enterprise with his brothers and son until his health forced him to retire a few years ago.

His future wife, Elizabeth Baxter, came to Star Valley with her parents, John and Nellie Ross Baxter, a few months before Bruce arrived, settling in Thayne, and it was there he met her and started courting her. He described this courtship and marriage in his diary as follows:

"I began courting their lovely brown-eyed daughter, Elizabeth. I liked her ways and looks better than any girl I'd seen. We were married in 1894 in the home that burned down where (his brother) Frank's home now stands (at the mouth of Swift Creek Canyon in Afton). We had a wedding dance in the mill that night. We were sealed in the fall in the Salt Lake Temple, because high water kept us from going to the temple in the spring when we were married."

They had born to this union seven children, all of whom are living at this time. His wife passed away 16 years ago, and he has lived in his own home most of this time since. He has spent several winters in California with his family members there.

His death was caused by a stroke which occurred Sept. 22, followed by two weeks of confinement in the local hospital, where he received the best of care by doctors, nurses and his family. His loss to the community will be felt by friends and family.

He took pride in baptizing all his children, and many of his grandchildren, besides hundreds of other children.

He served as a constable of the Town of Afton, as a town councilman, and was a member of the school board. He worked in the flour mill and sawmills for over 60 years, and was a well known sheepman in his early days. He assisted all of his sons and daughters with home buildings, farming, or other work that needed doing.

He was a very modest person, who never took or asked for credit when he had done a piece of work or favor. Getting it done was most important to him.

He is survived by the following sons and daughters: John Roy, Afton; LaVere, Afton; Muriel Veach, Corona, Calif., Milford I., Afton; Thelma Emerson, Pomona, Calif.; Olive Thatcher, Sonoma, Calif.; and Ross, Afton. Also surviving are 28 grandchildren, 91 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Franklin R., Afton, and Wilford, Salt Lake City; and one sister, Mrs. Lillian Gardner, Salt Lake City.

James Hamilton Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 17 January 1952, p. A-7:

Gardner Rites
Dated Monday

Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 1 p.m. for James Hamilton Gardner, 92, prominent Utah Sugar beet industry leader, who died Tuesday in Salt Lake City of causes incident to age.

Mr. Gardner, former general superintendent of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, since his retirement had engaged until recently in the dry farming business near Lehi.

Bishop Warren Goates will preside at the services in the Lehi Fifth Ward chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Friends may call at the A. H. Wing Mortuary, Lehi, Sunday afternoon and evening and Monday prior to the services. Burial will be in the Lehi City Cemetery.

Serenus Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 17 January 1952, p. A-7:

Serenus Gardner

SPANISH FORK - Serenus (Cy) Gardner, 95, former resident of Spanish Fork, died Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Zella Smith, Santa Ana, Calif. Born April 29, 1860, in Spanish Fork to Archibald and Serena Evensen Gardner. Moved to California in 1922. Survivors: sons and daughters, Mrs. Smith; Rea H., Gridley, Calif.; Mrs. Jennie Sterling, Spanish Fork; Robert H., Long Beach, Calif.; Otto, Walnut Creek, Calif.; Mrs. Cora G. Eggertson, Provo; Mrs. Ina Merret, San Ysidro, Calif.; six brothers and one sister. Funeral, Saturday at 10 a.m. in Santa Ana.

Henry Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 22 September 1936, p. 9. The original was published in one long column.

Last Rites Set For State, Church Leader

Father of Strawberry Project Passes at Spanish Fork

SPANISH FORK, Sept. 22 - Hon. Henry Gardner, 78, who was often referred to as the father of the Strawberry Reclamation Project died at 11 a.m. Monday after a long illness.

For the last several years Mr. Gardner was confined to his home, living with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gull, he had been confined to his bed a little more than a month.

He was a life-long resident of this city, he was born here May 15, 1858, the son of Archibald and Serena Garson Gardner, pioneers. He attended the early schools receiving as good an education as was possible in the early days. He married Elizabeth Martell of another pioneer family, March 22, 1882 in the St. George Temple. She died March 27, 1915.

During Mr. Gardner's early manhood he worked with his father who operated mills in Cottonwood Canyon and other parts of Utah. After his marriage he settled at Spanish Fork and this had always been his home. He took an active part in the development of the young settlement and was connected with practically every important enterprise.

Well-Known Banker
He was well-known as a banker, being a stockholder and director of the Commercial Bank of this city. He was engaged in the lumber business and for many years directed the Chisholm and Gardner Lumber Co. He operated other mills at different times and locations. He sawed a good portion of the timber in the Strawberry Tunnel. Mr. Gardner had a keen mind and foresight and he conceived the idea of making a tunnel and bringing the Strawberry River down to the farms in the vicinity of Spanish Fork. With prominent citizens of Payson and Spanish fork he made many trips to the Strawberry Basin and many trips to Washington, D. C., to interest the U. S. government in the idea. He worked until this great project was finally accomplished.

Church Worker
In Church affairs he was a devout member of the Church. He filled a mission to the Southern States in 1888 to 1890. Dec. 1891, the Spanish Fork Ward was divided into four wards, Mr. Gardner was ordained bishop of the First Ward and held that position for ten years. He was the last of the four original bishops of the four wards, all the others had preceded him in death, several years ago. In 1901 he was called to act as counselor to President Page of the Nebo Stake and served in that capacity for many years.

In politics he was a Republican and had held many positions of trust and honor. He served his city as councilman, as marshal and as mayor at different times. He served 14 years in the Utah Legislature--House and Senate. He presided as president of the Senate several times and was respected by Republicans and Democrats alike for his fair dealing.

Like his father, he was a lover of the out-of-doors. He loved both fishing and hunting and engaged in many of the pastimes dear to the lover of nature. He belonged to one of the oldest and best-known families of Utah.

Built Mills
His father, Archibald Gardner, built 42 mills, 36 of them are in this state, among them being flour, lumber and shingle mills. Archibald and his brothers sawed the first commercial lumber in Utah and a monument was recently erected at Mill Creek in their honor.

Mr. Gardner is survived by eight of his nine sons and daughters, one child Lucy, died in infancy. The sons are Pres. Henry A. Gardner, Palmyra Stake; Eugene Gardner, marshal of Spanish Fork City; Reuben DeLos Gardner, Mrs. Lenora Gull, Spanish Fork; Mrs. Jasper Bird, Provo; Mrs. Hettie G. Talmadge, Springville; Mrs. Dena Johnson, Paul, Idaho; Mrs. Bessie G. Hales, Washington, D.C.

Surviving also are 33 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; one brother, Serenus Gardner, Orange, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. Serena Andrus and Mrs. Annie Francis, Spanish Fork, and the following half sisters and brothers: Delilah, Ellen and Rebecca Gardner and Mrs. Rachel Gardner Irving, all of West Jordan; Clarence, Bruce and Franklin Gardner, Afton, Wyo.; Mrs. Lillie Gardner Widason, Hooper; Edward Gardner, Greensborough, N.C.; Delbert Gardner, California; Robert and Wilford Gardner, Salt Lake City; James Gardner, Lehi; Mrs. Annie G. Egbert, Logan, and several others in different parts of Utah and Wyoming.

The body is at the Claudin Funeral Home. Friends may call prior to the services at the family home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gull, 584 East First South.

Services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, the place to be designated later. Interment will be in the family burial plot in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

George Delos Gardner: Obituary

The following obituary was published in the Deseret News, 27 July 1922, p. 8. Some of it has been difficult to transcribe, because the microfilm was damaged. However, I have been unable to find this paper in digital format to obtain a better image. For now, this is the best I have.

West Jordan Farmer
Dies at Cokeville, Wyo.

Word has been received of the death at Cokeville Wyo., of George Delos Gardner, 69, a farmer of West Jordan. Mr. Gardner who was a school teacher for more than 25 years, was seized with a heart attack while resting under a tree, Tuesday.

Mr. Gardner had traveled to Cokeville by automobile with his wife and two daughters. The party had stopped . . . in the open when the death of Mr. Gardner occurred.

He is survived by his widow [Mrs?] Eugenia Huffaker Gardner . . . daughters . . . and Marvel Gardner . . . Mrs. Edmund Evans . . . West Jordan, and by . . . sons Eugene Delos Gardner of Berkeley, Calif., and Darrell and Perry Gardner, both of West Jordan.

Mr. Gardner was born December 21, 1852 at Mill Creek and spent most of his life at West Jordan. He was son of the late Bishop Archibald and Althea Thompson Gardner. The body is at the mortuary of C. I. Goff of Midvale.

Funeral services will be held in the West Jordan ward chapel Saturday at 2 p.m. The body may be viewed at the residence from 12 to 1:30 on day of funeral. Interment will be in the Murray City Cemetery.

Brigham Ozro Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 3 October 1957, p. B-10:

Brigham O. Gardner

AFTON, WYO--Brigham Ozro Gardner, 85, long-time Afton, Wyo., resident, died about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in a local hospital of causes incident to age.

Born: March 17, 1872, in West Jordan, a son of Archibald and Laura Althea Thompson Gardner. Married Emma Michaelson in Salt Lake Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mrs. Gardner died in 1945. Two sons preceeded him in death. He has been engaged in farming and ranching in Wyoming. Active in the Church, was a high priest at time of his death.

Survivors include, sons, and daughters, Wallace Ivan, Mrs. Elmo (Laura) Draney, both of Afton, Wyo.; Arling Gardner, Gulf Port, Miss.; Mrs. Ene (Elona) Hillyard, and Dean Gardner, both of Logan; J. Obed and Orrin Gardner, Hazelton, Idaho; Lloyd Gardner, Midvale, and Mrs. John (Bonita) Hopkins, Palo Alto, Calif.; 53 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Afton LDS Tabernacle, Bishop Max Robinson will officiate. Friends may call Friday afternoon evening and Saturday prior to services at the home of Mrs. Elno Draney in Afton. Burial will be in the Afton City Cemetery.

Perry Wilburn Gardner: Death notice

The following was published in the Deseret News, 10 April 1878, p. 1:

DIED

At West Jordan, April 2nd, 1878, of inflammation of the lungs, PERRY WILBURN, son of Bishop A. and Althea L. Gardner, aged 1 yea., 3 months and 17 days.

Carrie Andrus Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 15 July 1940, p. 14:


Carrie Andrus Gardner

Mrs. Carrie Andrus Gardner, 67, died Saturday in a local hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was a lifelong resident of Salt Lake County.

A daughter of Milo and Emma Covert Andrus, she was born in Crescent, Utah, Sept. 17, 1872. She was an active member of the Church.

Survivors are her husband, Robert Gardner of Salt Lake; three sons, R. V. Gardner of Murray and Alton M. and LaMar A. Gardner of Salt Lake; four daughters, Mrs. Albert Olson, Mrs. Rulon Goff and Mrs. Hugh Finlayson of West Jordan and Emma D. Gardner of Salt Lake; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow at the West Jordan Ward by Bishop LeRoy Karren of the Wilford Ward. Interment will be in West Jordan Cemetery.

Friends may call at 36 East Seventh South Street this evening and at 3323 South Thirteenth East Street tomorrow from 10 a.m. until noon. There will also be a viewing period at the West Jordan Ward.

Robert Gardner (1862-1942): Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 18 March 1942, p. 16. [Note: The original was published in one long column.]

Mourned
Robert Gardner, well-known Utah builder, dies in West Jordan.

West Jordan Leader Dies
Robert Gardner Closes Useful Career

Funeral arrangements were being completed today for Robert Gardner, 79, prominent Utah contractor, who died yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Rulon Goff of West Jordan.

A son of Bishop Archibald Gardner and Mary Ann Bradford Gardner, he was born April 4, 1862, in West Jordan. He was a member of the Church, holding the office of High Priest.

Mr. Gardner was seriously injured while logging in American Fork Canyon in his early manhood. He underwent many operations and was a cripple for 11 years, walking only with the aid of crutches. However, he managed to farm successfully with the aid of his wife.

RECOVERED ABILITY
He was a weighmaster for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company for a number of years. His body was bent badly because of his accident, but when he finally recovered, he stood erect and walked perfectly without the aid of crutches. He then became a contractor and supervisor of road grading of railroads in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.

He supervised the excavating and grading for the Utah Copper Mill, the United States Smelting and Refining plant at Midvale, the Utah-Idaho Sugar factories at West Jordan, Idaho Falls and Sugar City, Ida. He supervised the building of the electric tramway from Lark to Bingham and the Highland Railroad and two miles of railroad at the mouth of Bingham Canyon, the Orem Railroad and several other railroads in Utah and Wyoming.

INSTALLED PUMPS
He dug a number of canals and put in the first pumps at Utah Lake to aid irrigation in Salt Lake Valley. He constructed the Salt Lake Country Club Golf Course and for a time was field supervisor for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company at Idaho Falls and Sugar City, Ida.

He married Carrie Andrus Dec. 19, 1888, in the Logan Temple.

He is survived by two sons, Robert U. Gardner of West Jordan and LaMar Gardner of Salt Lake; four daughters, Mrs. Irene G. Olson, Mrs. Jane Finlayson and Mrs. Elva Goff of West Jordan and Miss Emma Gardner of Salt Lake and 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Nine brothers, James H. Gardner of Lehi, Syrenus Gardner of Orange, Calif., Bruce, Ezra, Clarence and Frank Gardner of Afton, Wyo., Wilford W. Gardner of Salt Lake, Clarence Gardner of California, and Edwin Gardner of North Carolina, and five sisters, Mrs. Rebekah Gardner and Mrs. Ellen Gardner of West Jordan and Mrs. Serena Andrus, Mrs. Annie Francis of Spanish Fork and Mrs. Lillian Garner of Hooper also survive.

Rebecca G. Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 15 March 1948, p. 19:


Rebecca G. Gardner

WEST JORDAN--Mrs. Rebecca Gardner Gardner, 88, died Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at her home in West Jordan of causes incident to age.

She was a lifelong resident of West Jordan, being born there on Nov. 22, 1859, a daughter of Archibald and Mary Ann Bradford Gardner.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she worked in the Relief Society and was a charter member of the Archibald Gardner Camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was believed to be the oldest member of the West Jordan First Ward at the time of her death.

She was married to Heber L. Gardner Sept. 2, 1880, in the Salt Lake Endowment House. He died in 1937.

She is survived by five sons and four daughters: Mrs. Edna G. Hogan, Mrs. Vivian G. Richardson, Mrs. Beatrice G. Dimond, Miss Genevieve Gardner, Leo and Clive Gardner, West Jordan; H. Allan and William Louis Gardner, Salt Lake City; Bertrand F. Gardner, Burley, Ida.; eight brothers and two sisters: Syrenus Gardner, Orange, Calif.; Mrs. Syrenna G. Andrus, Spanish Fork; James H. Gardner, West Jordan; Ozra, Bruce, Clarence and Frank Gardner, Afton, Wyo.; Edwin Gardner, Greensboro, N. C.; Miss Lillian W. Gardner, Hooper, Weber County; Willford W. Gardner, Salt Lake City; 43 grandchildren and 59 great grandchildren.

Mary Elizabeth Gardner Turner: Obituaries

The following was published in the Salt Lake Tribune, 15 June 1932, p. 19:

Mrs. Mary E. Turner
TURNERVILLE, Wyo.--Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Turner, 82, one of Star valley's oldest pioneers, died at her home here Saturday of ailments incident to age.

She was born in Mill Creek, Utah, February 1, 1850, a daughter of Archibald and Mary Ann Bradford Gardner. She married William A. Turner in the Salt Lake L. D. S. endowment house November 25, 1865, and moved with her family to Star valley, October 7, 1890, where she had resided since. Mrs. Turner was an ardent L. D. S. temple worker. Her husband died October 17, 1906.

Six sons and daughters survive: Steven, Archibald and Royal E. Turner and Mrs. Rebecca Izatt, Turnerville; Robert E. Turner, Le Grande, Ore.; Mrs. Rhoda Izatt, Afton; 46 grandchildren and 61 great-grandchildren.

Another obituary was published in the Star Valley Independent, 23 June 1932, p. 1:

Brief Life Sketch of Mary E. Turner

Mrs. Mary E. Turner of Turnerville passed away at her home June 11, 1932. Mrs. Turner has been confined to her bed the biggest part of the time since last January, when she was taken ill with the flu and death resulted from complications due to old age, being past 82 years old.

She was the daughter of Archibald Gardner and Mary Ann Bradford. She was born February 1, 1850 at Mill Creek, Utah and was married November 25, 1865 to William A. Turner. They came to Star valley in October 1890 where they made their home. She was the mother of 10 children, 4 of whom have preceded her to the grave, and also her husband who passed away October 17, 1906.

Mrs. Turner was a diligent church worker and has a record of 520 people whom she has done temple work for.

She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Rhoda Izatt of Afton, Mrs. Rebecca Izatt of Turnerville, Stephen, Archibald and Rawsel E. Turner of Turnerville and Robert H. of Legrande, Oregon. She had 64 grandchildren and 61 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Grover ward June 13 with the choir singing "Sometime We'll Understand." Prayer by Levi E. Merritt. Song by Ernest Turner and Emily Simpson "Oh Dry Those Tears." The speakers were Bishop Ray B. Thurman of Grover; Francis Simpson, Heman Hyde and Lyman W. Fluckiger. The Gardner boys sang "A Mothers work is done." Benediction by Peter Peterson.

She was buried in the Grover cemetery. Ozro Gardner dedicated the grave.

WWII Veteran Information Needed

I received the following request from Geoff Hatch and am passing it on in case anyone reading this blog can help.

"I am currently working with the Gale History Center to collect the stories of WWII veterans from the South Salt Lake Valley area. I am looking for oral histories of these individuals from the time leading up to WWII, through their service in the War and their lives immediately after the war. If you know of any living relatives that may have the information I am looking for who would be willing to share what they have, would you please forward my name and contact numbers."

Geoff is looking for information on the following Gardners:

Brigham Riggs Gardner

Edwin Ford Gardner

Jane Elizabeth Gardner (Finlayson)

John Riggs Gardner

Clinton Riggs Gardner

Russell F. Gardner

Sherman B. Gardner

Shields R. Gardner
William Sheldon Gardner

If you have any information that might be helpful, please contact Geoff directly at:

mjghatch@gmail.com

Thanks!

Robert Gardner, Sr.: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 12 December 1855, p. 8:


DIED:
At his residence, Millcreek ward, Nov. 20, 1855, ROBERT GARDNER, sen., aged 74 years, 8 months and 8 days.

He was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland: was a member of the High Priests' Quorum, and was much beloved by all who knew him. He lived and died a saint, and has left a large circle of friends to mourn his departure; but they have a consolatory hope that in the regions of everlasting bliss he is enjoying the fruits of a long and virtuous life.

Delila Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Deseret News, 28 April 1937, p. 20:


Delila Gardner
Miss Delila (Aunt Lyle) Gardner, 79, died last night at her home in West Jordan, following a long illness.

Miss Gardner was born July 18, 1857, in Mill Creek to Archibald and Mary Livingston Gardner. Moving with her parents to Spanish Fork she attended the first school established there. At the age of eight she returned with her parents to West Jordan where she has since lived.

Active in the Church work she was president of the first Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Society organized in West Jordan, and later was Stake president. She was Relief Society Secretary for 44 years and acted as teacher in that organization. She was also a charter member in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Archibald Gardner Camp, serving as its first Historian.

Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Mary Ellen Gardner, and Mrs. Rachel Irving, West Jordan, and the following half-brothers and half-sisters: James H. Gardner, Lehi; Serenus Gardner, Orange, Calif.; Bruce Gardner, Clarence Gardner, Frank Gardner and Ozro Gardner, Afton, Wyo.; Edwin Gardner, Maryland; Wilford Gardner and Robert Gardner, Salt Lake City; Delbert Gardner, California; Rebecca Gardner, West Jordan; Mrs. Serena Andrus, Mrs. Annie Francis, Spanish Fork; Mrs. Ann Egbert, Logan, and Mrs. Lillian Widdison, Hooper.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the West Jordan Chapel by Counselor Virgil Goates.

Friends may call at the I. G. Goff Mortuary in Midvale until Sunday, and at the family home in West Jordan Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Burial will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Rachel Maria Gardner Irving: Obituary

The following was published in the Salt Lake Telegram, 29 Oct 1941, p. 23:

Rachel M. G. Irving

Mrs. Rachel Marie Gardner Irving, 87, died late Tuesday of causes incident to age at her home in West Jordan, where she had lived since that community was founded.

Mrs. Irving had been the active manager of her home and active in LDS church and community affairs.

Mrs. Irving was born in Mill Creek May 10, 1854, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret Livingston Gardner, pioneers from Canada. Mr. Gardner was builder of the first sawmills that furnished lumber for homes here. Her husband, John W. Irving, died in 1908.

She is survived by four sons and daughters, C. Leonard and A. Lee Irving, Miss Edna Irving and Mrs. Bertha Abbott, an older sister: Ellen Gardner, all of West Jordan; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mary Ellen Gardner Gardner: Obituary

The following was published in the Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Mar 1948, p. 17:

Native of Utah,
Relief Aid,
96, Succumbs

WEST JORDAN, March 1--Mrs. Mary Ellen Gardner Gardner, 96, oldest member of the West Jordan First ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Monday at 7:40 a.m. at her residence of causes incident to age.

A resident of West Jordan 70 years, Mrs. Gardner was a charter member of the Genealogical society there and for 22 years had been president of West Jordan ward Relief society. She was a member of Archibald Gardner camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

She was born in Mill Creek, Feb. 17, 1852, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret Livingston Gardner. She was married to Neil L. Gardner in the Salt Lake LDS endowment house. He died about 24 years ago.

Survivors include three sons and a daughter, William, H. Clinton, Vern Gardner, and Margaret A. Gardner, West Jordan; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; the following brothers and sisters, Edwin L. Gardner, Greensborough, N.C.; Frank, Clarence, Bruce, and B. Ozro Gardner, Afton, Wyo.; Wilford Gardner, Salt Lake City; James H. Gardner, St. George; Syrenus Gardner, Orange, Cal.; Mrs. Sirena Andrus, Spanish Fork; Rebecca Gardner, West Jordan, and Mrs. Lillian Garner, Hooper.

Margaret Gardner Smith: Death notice

The following was published in the Deseret News, 27 March 1884, p. 2:


GARDNER--At West Jordan, March 20th, 1884, of consumption, Margaret, eldest daughter of Bishop Archibald and Margaret Gardner, born October 6th, 1847, being the second white child born in the Territory of Utah. She lived and died a faithful Latter-day Saint.

The funeral services over the remains of Sister Margaret Gardner were held in the West Jordan Ward House, Saturday, March 22nd 1884, at 9 a. m. Conducted by Counselor James Turner. There was a very large number of people present.

The speakers were Counselor Joseph E. Taylor and President Angus M. Cannon, whose discourses were very instructive and consoling. The Ward choir led by Brother Hyrum Goff, furnished the music.

The remains were taken to Salt Lake City and interred in the cemetery.

[This same article was also published in the Deseret News, 2 April 1884, p. 16.]

Neil Gardner: Obituary

The following obituary was published in the Deseret News, 4 Aug 1906, p. 5:

SPANISH FORK

THE LATE NEIL GARDNER
With the passing of Neil Gardner, who died at his home at Spanish Fork, July 6, is marked the death of another noble pioneer.

Neil Gardner was born in Brook Township, Kent county, Canada West, June 24, 1841. He was the oldest son of the late Bishop Archibald Gardner, the great pioneer mill builder, and Margaret Livingston Gardner. When he was five years old his father and family left Canada for Utah, having joined the Latter-day Saints. They left Winter Quarters in June 1847, and arrived in Salt Lake City, Oct. 1 of that year, traveling in Bishop Hunter's company.

The earlier years of Mr. Gardner's life were spent at Mill Creek hauling lumber from the canyon and working in his father's mill. In the year 1858, at the time of the general move of the Saints during the Johnston's army troubles, Neil Gardner came to Spanish Fork, and has resided here ever since. On Jan. 10, 1863, he married married Regina Evanson to whom he proved a true and worthy husband. He was left a widower 18 years ago.

Mr. Gardner has been an important factor in the subduing and developing of the land in and around Spanish Fork. He was an untiring worker in bringing streams from the mountain fastnesses and turning them upon the thirsty soil. Much of the surveying for that work was done by him, and through his good judgment and farsitedness the people saw fit to make him a director of a good many canal companies. At the time of his death he was one of the five directors of the Spanish Fork Co-op.

Our subject was also greatly interested in the lumber and flour mill business, inheriting the love for such, perhaps, from his father. He has held many trustworthy positions and was true to the end to the religion of his youth.

In 1876 he was sent on a mission to Canada remaining there until June of the following year. He was again called on a mission in 1885, this time to the Southern States, laboring in Georgia for 22 months.

During the time he has lived in Spanish Fork, Mr. Gardner has been one of its most active, progressive citizens. His good judgment and wise counsel, his untiring efforts to promote the welfare of his fellow man have gained for him the love and respect of the whole community.

He was 63 years of age at the time of his demise, his death being caused from stomach troubles. He leaves eight children and 14 grandchildren to mourn his loss.

He has led a most honorable and exemplary life, and has met with a fair measure of success in a financial way. It is safe to say no man is more highly respected throughout the country than Neil Gardner.

Utah can justly be proud of her many noble pioneer sons and daughters, some still living, others who have passed away. With the history of our fair state are connected many brave, sturdy, god-fearing men, who spent their lives in the building of this haven of rest in the rockies. Men who braved the desert wild and pioneered the way for this great western civilization.

The memory of the pioneers will always be held sacred by the people of the state, and as one by one we lay them away in the silent tomb, our hearts go out to our Maker, that He will reward them for the work they did while here.

Mary Larsen Gardner: Obituary

The following obituary was published in the Deseret News, 21 Oct 1921, p. 11:


Pneumonia Fatal to Early Utah Resident

Mrs. Mary L. Gardner

Mrs. Mary Larsen Gardner, 71, a native of Denmark, died in a Salt Lake hospital Thursday of pneumonia.

When a girl of 10, Mrs. Gardner came to Utah. After becoming the wife of Bishop Archibald Gardner, she lived at West Jordan for a time but in 1890 they moved to Afton, Wyo., where she had since made her home.

Mrs. Gardner is survived by the following sons and daughters: A. Bruce Gardner, Clarence Gardner, president of Star Valley stake, E. A. Gardner and Bishop Frank Gardner, all of Afton; E. L. Gardner of Delaware; Mrs. Lillian Gardner Widdison of Hooper, Utah; and Wilford W. Gardner of 961 Ramona avenue, Salt Lake. She is survived also by a brother, Andrew Larsen, American Fork, and two half brothers, Henson Heiselt, American Fork, and Hyrum Heiselt, Provo.

Funeral services will be held in the West Jordan ward meetinghouse at 11 a.m. Monday. The body may be viewed at the home of Reuben Gardner in West Jordan prior to the services. Interment will be in Salt Lake City cemetery under the direction of S. M. Taylor & Co.

Harriet Armitage Gardner Larter: Death notice

The following death notice was published in the Deseret News, 10 May 1866, p. 8:



Died:

In Moroni, April 12, HARRIET ARMATAGE,
wife of Henry N. Larter, aged 36 years, 1 month
and 28 days.

A husband, 4 children and numerous friends
lament her departure.

Abigail Sprague Bradford Gardner: Death Notice

The following death notice was published in the Deseret News on 5 February 1879, page 16.



DIED
At West Jordan, January 16th, 1879, ABIGAIL BRADFORD, wife of Bishop A. Gardner, aged 66 years and 4 months.

Sister Gardner joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at an early day in its history, and shared in the persecutions of her people, always evincing a strong and unshaken faith in the work. She leaves a number of relatives and friends.

Archibald Gardner's obituary

Through the years, I have gathered many obituaries for Archibald's family. I've decided that it might be helpful for me to share these with the family members who may not have access to the resources I have available. It only seems obvious that I should start with Archibald himself. Below is an image of a newspaper article that was published in the Deseret News at the time of Archibald's death.

Deseret News, 12 Feb 1902


Noted Character Laid to Rest
Remains of the Late Bishop Archibald Gardner Consigned to the
Tomb This Afternoon--A Pioneer Who Builded Well
And Lived a Life of Goodly Deeds.

As set forth on another page of this paper, the remains of the late Bishop Archibald Gardner were consigned to the tomb this afternoon, the funeral services taking place at the Fourteenth ward assembly rooms and the interment at the city cemetery. With those offices comes the pleasant memory that he builded well, both as in character and things material and that his life's pages are everywhere brightened by the record of goodly deeds.

Archibald Gardner was born in Kilsyth, Sterlingshire, Scotland, on Sept. 2, 1814. When he was [7] years of age his parents moved to Canada, he of course accompanying them. In 1839 he married Miss Margaret Livingston, and in 1845 he was baptized into the Mormon Church with nearly every member of his family. The same year of his baptism he moved to Nauvoo in company with his father, brothers, one sister and their families, numbering twenty-four in all. He reached the ill-fated city just as the Saints were being expelled from their homes, so he went with his relatives across the river and settled in Winter Quarters. Remaining there all winter, the Gardner's prepared their outfits in the spring, and in June, 1847, they joined Bishop Hunter's company and set out for the Salt Lake Valley, reaching here on Oct. 1st. The following spring Mr. Gardner moved to Mill Creek where he lived for ten years. At this time the move south was instituted and Mr. Gardner took his family to Spanish Fork, but he was not permitted to remain there long for in the following year he was called to be Bishop over the West Jordan ward. Being a man of sterling worth, he held that position with credit for thirty-two years. While in the East he had learned the trade of mill building, and after coming to the West he followed that vocation and erected some of the first mills in this country, two of them being in Mill Creek.

In 1880 he was elected a member of the territorial legislature, and was an intelligent and able member of that body. Two or three years later he moved to Star Valley in Wyoming and did an immense amount of good in assisting to build up that country. A few years ago he returned to West Jordan and lived out the remainder of his life in the bosom of his family.

He was the father of a large family, has 201 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

During his useful life he built 36 mills, most of which he erected in Canada, when he was only nineteen years old. The last one he built at Spanish Fork when he was 86 years of age. Despite his venerable age he never outlived his usefulness, having ever been one of the most valuable members of the community. He was a typical pioneer, possessing to a large degree the wisdom courage and industry that are essential in the founding of a commonwealth. The impress of his strong and rugged character had been made upon this state and time can never efface it. His was a large and generous heart, and planning something for the public good was, with him, a passion. He was the principal promoter of the Jordan canal system, which made homes for hundreds of people.

He died at St. Mark's hospital on Feb. 8th, of strangulated hernia. It is a fact of more than passing interest that Bishop Gardner died almost on the very spot where he spent his first winter in this valley.

Archibald Gardner's burial place

I received an inquiry from a family member today who had been told by the Salt Lake City Cemetery that Archibald is not buried there. I suspect the employee only searched the surname "Gardner." For anyone who would like to know where he is buried, he is listed at the Salt Lake City Cemetery as "Archibald Gardener."

The Utah State Historical Society has a burial database for the state, and you can go to the site to obtain grave numbers for many of the Gardner family members. You will need to try various spellings for the surname to find them all. Archibald is in grave number D 9 6 3 W. The cemetery office has maps and can give you directions to the grave.

Below are pictures of several of the original grave markers in the Gardner family plot in Salt Lake. Many of the markers had been lost over time, so a project was done in the 1990s to place a new marker and identify all family members who are buried there. Archibald's original marker is being preserved at the museum at Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah.

Indian Children in Early Utah

The following excerpts are from an article titled, "Mormon pioneers participate in the Indian slave trade," by Kamber A. Hone. The article was published in Mountainland: Our Pioneers by The Daily Herald on March 16, 1997. The article is on page 49.

"Many people may not realize that Latter-day Saint pioneers purchased Indian children and raised them with their families as early as 1847, the first year they made their new homes in the West.

"Brigham Young University assistant professor of history Brian Q. Cannon, who studied the era with his colleague, Richard Kitchen, said that for various reasons, the settlers took an interest in these children, who were usually prisoners of other tribes.

"What started as Indian slave trade became common practice among Mormons along the frontier in the 1850s.

"As part of their indepth study of the era, the scholars learned that the settlers, in some instances, rescued these children from cruel and unusual deaths. . . .

"This process that began informally in the fall of 1847, was enacted as part of law and religion in 1851 and 1852, Cannon said. In May of 1851, Brigham Young, as the Mormon prophet and Utah territorial governor, instructed the Saints to buy Indian children to 'educate them and teach them the gospel,' he said. . . .

"Even with limited access to sources, Cannon said he tried to find the best array of research to get the widest range of information about the adoption process and the practice itself. Through journals, autobiographies, reminiscences, cemetery records and government records, he and Kitchen identified and traced 244 Native American children who lived in white, Mormon households in the 19th century. . . .

"Another interesting finding of Cannon's study was the strength of the bonds formed between the Indians and their foster families. . . .

"Although not all adoptions were a favorable lifestyle for the children or the families, some proved to be very beneficial relationships."

The process of adopting Fanny into the Gardner family began with one of Abigail Sprague's brothers purchasing her. Years later, Fanny was brought to the Gardners where she spent the rest of her life. Family journals confirm that she was happy living with the pioneers, that she was included in the family the same as the other children, and that she was baptized a member of the LDS Church and received temple ordinances.

Fanny Gardner

Archibald Gardner and his family adopted an Indian girl sometime between 1850 and 1856. On page 68 of The Life of Archibald Gardner it states:

Fanny "was given to Aunt Abby by her brother, Ithamer Sprague. It seems the dusky maiden had been stolen from her home by a warring tribe who sold her to Sprague for a pony. She was born on the Weber River and was about ten years old when he purchased her. Her brother, named Muchikee, came to see her at different times in after years, but she would slip away and hide if she saw any other Indians coming. She did not wish to go back to her own people."

Somehow in the retelling of Fanny's story, things have gotten a little mixed up. Fanny is listed in the 1850 census of Weber County living with Thomas Sprague at the time she was five years old.(1) I don't know if Ithamer gave her to Thomas before she was adopted by the Gardners, or if Thomas was the one who purchased her. Also, this was clearly before she was 10 years old. If you click on the image below, you will be able to see a more readable image.)

The 1856 census of Union Fort, Salt Lake County, Utah lists Fanny with the Gardner household. This would indicate that the Gardners adopted her by the time she was ten years old, but I don't have any more specific information than that. She remained with the Gardners until her death on 31 July 1879. She died in West Jordan and is buried in the Gardner family plot at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.(2) To my knowledge, Fanny never married or had children.

In my next post, I will share more information about the adoption of Indian children by the early Utah pioneers.

1. 1850 U.S. Census of Weber County, Utah, p. 159
2. Salt Lake City Record of the Dead, p. 228, #9119 (FHL #026,553).

Deseret News article mentioning Archibald and the West Jordan mill

For those of you who are not in Utah or don't subscribe to the Deseret News, I thought you might be interested in an article that was published today mentioning Archibald and the mill in West Jordan.

Against the grain: Owner of Gardner Village saw potential where others didn't

Be sure to take a look at the photo gallery. There are historic pictures as well as those of the current village.

Death of Hial Bradford

Archibald's second wife, Abigail Sprague Bradford, was the widow of Hial Bradford. Abigail and Hial lived in Nauvoo in 1845 when several family events occurred in quick succession. Abigail's life sketch in The Life of Archibald Gardner states:

"Abigail was very ill when her baby Tryphena was born September 30, 1845. Her husband went for his brother's wife to help at the sick bed. He took his brother's baby with him on the horse and was so long in returning that the family became concerned and went in search of him. He was found feeling his way to the house. He had taken suddenly and violently ill. He died during the night. A little eight-year-old son, Grandville, died about the same time. Two vacant chairs met her gaze when Abigail was able to sit up."(1)

I have also heard this tradition with the variation that Hial went to get the midwife, and I've also heard that he was kicked by the horse and never recovered. The point is that family traditions change over time, and as with all oral history, inaccuracies creep in with the retelling. I am hopeful that the family will look at traditions as a way to locate accurate information, and then bring the traditions back into line with documents of the time. The tradition of Hial's death is one that needs to be evaluated. Currently, most family records indicate that Hial and Grandville both died the same day that Tryphena was born. At least in Hial's case, this cannot be accurate.

On 3 September 1845, the Nauvoo Neighbor published the "Weekly Sexton's Report." This report was a regular feature of the newspaper and was literally a report of the burials that occurred at the Nauvoo cemetery the previous week. The cemetery sexton would have personal knowledge of the burials that occurred in the cemetery for which he was responsible. On 3 Sep, there were actually two sexton reports published. The report for August 24, 1845 lists "Hiel Bradford. 39 y; fever."(2) This sexton's report is primary evidence that Hial died sometime between the 17th and 24th of August, not the 30th of September. Tryphena's birth is well-documented for the 30th of September, so it is clear that Hial may have gone to get help for his pregnant and very ill wife, but it was not at the time of her labor and delivery. Tryphena was born over a month after the death of her father.

I have not yet been able to document the death of Grandville, but since even tradition says that he died "about the same time," it is likely that his death was not the same day as Tryphena's birth. If any family members have documents of the time that will help clarify the timing more precisely than what tradition provides, I would be happy to hear from you.

1. Delila Gardner Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner (Draper, Utah: Review and Preview Publishers, 1970), 155.

2. Nauvoo Neighbor, 3 Sep 1845, p. 3, col. 4.

Archibald and Margaret's son, Archibald

In the spring of 1843, Archibald and Margaret welcomed their third son, Archibald, into the family. Eighteen months later on 10 October 1844, little Archie died of bowel trouble. This information is found in The Life of Archibald Gardner, by Delila Gardner Hughes. I have made an attempt to document Archibald's death information, but clearly there were no records being kept in this pioneering area of Canada at the time. What I did find was the following:

The Alvinston Cemetery
"The first cemetery in this vicinity comprised a plot of ground on the west side of River street, just south of the Alvinston brick yard. About 1854 this piece of land from lot 19, con. 7, was donated to Brooke Township by John Gorsuch, although no formal deed of transfer was ever recorded. Prior to this time some burials had already been made. It is believed that an infant child of Archibald Gardner may have been one of the first buried in this spot."(1)

River Street is on the east side of Alvinston, and the cemetery is to the southeast of town. I have added a marker on my Google map to show the location to the best of my knowledge.

1. Sara Leitch Campbell, Brooke Township History (1833-1933) (Sarnia, Ontario: Ontario Genealogical Society, Lambton County Branch, 1995), 114.

Birth of Margaret Livingston

Throughout her life, Margaret Livingston Gardner stated that she was born in Lochgilphead, Argyll, Scotland. After a lengthy search to document her birth, I have found that she was actually born in Ardfern. Ardfern was a settlement located approximately 15 miles north of Lochgilphead in the parish of Kilmartin. It would appear that Margaret was naming a nearby large city so others would know approximately where she was from. Below is the page in the Kilmartin parish register that recorded her infant baptism.

Kilmartin Parish Register, 1746-1856, vol. 1, p. 132 (FHL #1,041,071 item 1)

Following is a map to show the relative locations of Ardfern, Kilmartin, and Lochgilphead. You may need to zoom out or drag the map north and south to see all three markers.


View Argyllshire, Scotland in a larger map

Archibald married Margaret Livingston

Archibald shared several stories about his courtship years, and he told of falling in love a number of times and even proposing to several girls. Before he started building the grist mill in Brooke Township, he had the opportunity to meet Margaret Livingston. They visited for about five minutes, and then she left for her work in Detroit. He was so taken with her that he walked 110 miles through snow 16 inches deep to see her. They visited at the gate of her work, but she was not permitted to leave or make other arrangements to see him. In frustration, Archibald went back home.(1)

After finishing the grist mill and working to pay off his debts in 1838, Archibald "sent to Detroit" for Margaret. He then says simply, "She came and I married, February 19, 1839, my little Highland Scotch lassie."(2) I have forever been amazed, not only that he would send for her after these two brief meetings, but also that she came. I guess some things are just meant to be.

Attached is an image of Archibald and Margaret's marriage record. It is located in the London District Marriage Register, Record Group 8, Series 1-6-A, Vol. 16 (1833-55), p. 99 (FHL #1,030,053).


1. Delila Gardner Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner (West Jordan, Utah: Alpine Publishing Co., 1939), 21.

2. Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner, 21.

Move to the Western District

Archibald sought suitable land for farming in Warwick, Ontario in 1834. "I procured five hundred acres at soldier's rights for fifty cents per acre in Warwick, District of Canada, thirty miles east of Port Sarnia and thirty-five miles west of New London."(1) He worked that summer clearing the land, and then returned to Dalhousie for the winter. This would explain why the government surveyor recorded in December 1834 that Robert Gardner was still on his land, but was going to the Western District.(2)

During the summer of 1835, William and Archibald worked together to clear and plant the land in Warwick, and the remainder of the family joined them in the fall of 1835. For the next two years, Archibald worked at the family home, but by November 1836, he applied for land in Brooke Township in order to build grist and saw mills for the community. A land petition from the Crown Lands Department of Ontario includes Archibald's original request on 24 Nov 1836, his renewed request on 21 Feb 1837, and the order given to auction the land on condition that a grist and saw mill were in operation within three years, which was recorded 10 May 1837.

In describing the process of building the grist mill, Archibald stated, "Work was commenced but due to the Patriot War, all the men quit work and the dam being left at a critical time, flushed out. Nothing remained of a summer's work but the mill frame. Next spring there was a prospect of peace and I commenced anew. Work began on the 27th of March and on the 17th of July I ground my first grist."(3) According to what I have read, the Patriot War or the Rebellion of 1837 occurred at the end of 1837 and early 1838. Because of the dates in the land file and the timing of the local rebellion, it would seem that the summer of lost work was 1837, and the summer the grist mill was completed was 1838. At that time, Archibald was a 23 year old single, young man with a debt of $3300.00. He said, "I worked in and out of water, both day and night alone. All the sleep I got was while the wheat in the hopper held out. I did this for five months to pay off expenses and get clear of debt. I then built a saw mill which filled the other great community need and got along well having custom for thirty miles around."(4) It would appear that he completed the two mills well before the three year deadline.

Google map of Canadian locations associated with the Gardner family.


1. Delila Gardner Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner (West Jordan, Utah: Alpine Publishing Co., 1970), 12.

2. "Report Lanark Settlement, 1834," Military Settlement, Soldiers and Emigrants, p. 31 (FHL #1,319,967 item 10).

3. Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner, 17.

4. Hughes, The Life of Archibald Gardner, 17, 18.

A Note About William Gardner

While researching the records of Dalhousie, I found that Archibald's older brother, William, was enrolled in the local militia.

"Under the Militia Act of 1793 . . . each male inhabitant aged 16 to 50 was required to enroll his name as a militiaman and attend annual muster on the King's birthday, 4 June. Each captain was required to present his colonel with a written roll for transmission to the Lieutenant Governor within 14 days of 4 June . . ."(1)

"On 7 November 1828 the Adjutant General's Department of Upper Canada ordered the officers commanding each regiment of the province's sedentary militia to submit a nominal roll of the men in their units from 19 to 39 years of age."(2)

At the time of the 1828 nominal roll, William was 25 years old, and his father, Robert, was 47 years old. According to the Militia Act, both were required to attend the annual militia muster. However, the nominal roll that year only required the listing of men from 19 to 39, so Robert was not listed. William was numbered in the 1st Regiment Lanark Militia in Captain Cumming's Company. This company was from Dalhousie.

1. Bruce S. Elliott, et al., Men of Upper Canada Militia Nominal Rolls, 1828-29 (Toronto, Ontario: Ontario Genealogical Society, 1995), iii-iv.

2. Elliott, Men of Upper Canada, iii.

Twelve Years in Dalhousie

As mentioned in a previous post, Robert Gardner received 100 acres and money advancements to help the family get established in their new home in Dalhousie, Upper Canada. After his first six months, Robert owed the Scottish government ₤26 13s. 4d., which was repayable in ten years.(1)

After ten years of working the land, the Lanark settlers petitioned the government in 1831 to forgive the debts they owed on their advanced money. The land had been much poorer than expected, and many of the settlers had not been able to raise the funds necessary to repay their debts. Because of this petition, a surveyor was assigned to examine and report on the lands, which was completed by the end of December 1834. Based on this report, the debts of the 1820-1821 settlers of Lanark were forgiven in January of 1836. The 1834 surveyor's report indicated that Robert Gardner was currently on his land, but he was going to the Western District. His lot was described as "like the last," which was a reference to the previous lot described as "broken, rocky land."(2)

1. Ontario Crown Lands Department, "Account of Monies Advanced to Lanark Settlers" (Vol. 107) 1820-1822: in Land Records ca. 1792-1876 (Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982-1984), Hamilton Emigration Society, Robert Gardner entry. (FHL #1,319,967 item 9)

2. Ontario Crown Lands Department, "C. Rankins Report on the Lanark Settlement (Vol. 108)" in Land Records ca. 1792-1876 (Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982-1984). (FHL #1,319,967 item 10)