My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC N. GARD. No theme is more agreeable to the biographer than that of the pioneer times, and the life-story of one who has passed through that trying period and has made his way to comfort and prosperity through hardships and privations, is of interest to everyone. In those early days the settlers had little to assist them in the way of implements, but their strong hands and sturdy independence overcame all difficulties.

Mr. Gard was born in Union County, Ind., July 9, 1827, of the marriage of Jonathan Gard. When but two years of age he was brought by his parents to the Lake State, and was reared on the old homestead in Cass County. Until twenty-four years of age he remained under the parental roof and during that time he attended the log school-house of those days, where he was taught the “three R’s, reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic.” On the 12th of November, 1851, he married Miss Nancy Shaw, a daughter of Richard and Julia (Saunders) Shaw, the father a native of Virginia, born in 1801, and the mother of Maryland, born in 1804. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw removed to Ohio when young, were married there, and later came to Michigan, where they settled in Ross County. From there they removed to Ft. Wayne, Ind., but two years later returned to Michigan. They settled in Penn Township, this county, for a few years, but subsequently moved to Little Prairie Ronde, Volinia Township, where they made their home for a number of years. Her death occurred in 1856, and he followed her to the grave in 1872. Eleven children were born to them, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Gard was second in order of birth, and was born in Ross County, December 10, 1828. She was but four years of age when brought to Michigan.

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Gard settled on section 28, Volinia Township, and began to improve his farm, remaining there four years. In 1856 he settled upon his present farm, and here he has continued to reside. He is the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres, one hundred and thirty acres under cultivation, and in 1856 he erected a substantial and commodious house. For six years he was interested in a sawmill, but since then he has been engaged exclusively in mixed farming. He raises a good grade of stock and excellent draft horses. His marriage resulted in the birth of four children, three of whom are living. Julia E., widow of R. L. Van Ness, is the mother of two children, Newton and Arietta; Orley A. married Edward Fulton, and is the mother of three children: Blanche L., Leona A. and Carl G., and resides at home; and Edgar J. married Miss Flora Warner, who bore him one child, Dana. Emily is the one deceased.

Mr. Gard holds membership in the A. H. T. A., of which he has been a member for forty years, being Secretary and Treasurer for several years, and he is also a member of the Volinia Farmers’ Club. His children all received good educational advantages, Edgar being educated at Valparaiso Normal School and in the High School at Decatur, Mich. The daughters have taught school in this township, and are also proficient in music. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but since 1856 he has been a stanch Republican, in which party he takes a deep interest. He has been a delegate to every county convention for thirty years, has been jury-man oftener than any other man in the township, and has been Township Clerk. He did not serve during the Civil War, but paid a substitute $850. Although he commenced with very little of this world’s goods — a span of horses, a cow and some land — he worked early and late to get a footing, and finally became one of the substantial men of the county. The first tax he paid on personal property was eighteen cents. For many years he and his wife lived in a log house and understood thoroughly the trials and, privations of pioneer life. Mrs. Gard’s father was an active politician and held office.