My Genealogy Hound

MILTON J. GARD. A plain, unvarnished statement of the facts embraced in the life of Mr. Gard, a man well and favorably known to the people of Cass County, is all that we profess to be able to give in this history of the county, and yet, upon examination of those facts, there will be found the career of one whose entire course through the world has been marked by great honesty and fidelity of purpose.

He is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Union County, March 11, 1824, and as he was but six years of age when brought by his parents to Volinia Township, Cass County, Mich., all his memory is of this State. His father, Jonathan Gard, was a native of New Jersey, born in 1799. The latter went from his native State to Cincinnati, Ohio, with his father, Josephus Gard, in 1807, and in 1830 came to Michigan. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bishop, was a native of South Carolina and a descendant of Quaker ancestors. They were married in Union County, Ind., and made their home there until 1829, when they came to Cass County, this State. He was one of the first settlers in this section, and assisted in organizing the township of Volinia. Indians were plentiful at the time, and the timber was full of wild animals. He built a primitive log cabin, and with the rude implements in vogue at that time he branched out as an agriculturist. As the years passed by they gathered around them many comforts, and there, where the principal part of their lives had been spent, this worthy couple received their final summons. Of the nine children born to them, seven are living at the present time and are named as follows: Milton J., R. F., I. N., B. R; Eliza, now Mrs. Whitam; Esther, Mrs. Green; and Almira, Mrs. Welcher. Those deceased were Mary, Mrs. Green, and Emily, Mrs. Huff.

The youthful days of our subject were passed in assisting his father to clear the farm, and his educational advantages were limited. He was fortunate in having parents who were interested in having him well educated, and they assisted him very materially in that respect, for they often heard him recite at home. Later he took up the study of grammar and arithmetic himself, and made such headway with these that when twenty years of age he started out as an educator. After teaching two terms he branched out as a farmer, but in addition was also engaged in the sawmill business for six years. In the year 1847 he was married to Miss Olive Green, daughter of Jesse Green, one of the pioneers here. After marriage he followed the sawmill business where Volinia now stands, and continued this for some time. In 1851 he had the misfortune to lose by death the sharer of his joys and sorrows. They were the parents of four children, one only now living, George W. (See sketch.)

Mr. Gard’s second marriage occurred in 1854 to Miss Susan Fox, daughter of Samuel Fox, one of the early settlers. Seven children were born to the second union, four now living. Ida, wife of George Hall, is the mother of two children; Ezra C. married Ida Goodspeed, and has two children; Lincoln P. married Jennie Hutton; Jemima is the wife of Owen Schutt. Bertha, who was the wife of Owen Schutt, is deceased, as are also Nellie and Josephine. Mr. Gard is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a charter member of Volinia Lodge, and has been Senior and Junior Warden, Worshipful Master and is now Treasurer. He is also a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, of which he is President. As one of the original members of the Volinia Farmers’ Club, he has been Secretary and President. For six years he has been a member of the executive committee of the State Agricultural Society and for the same length of time has been a member of the State Board of Agriculture. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters, and for some time conducted a private grammar and arithmetic school for grown persons. For many years he was Director of the school district, and was Township School Inspector for some time. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, but was a Whig in early life. Frequently he has been a delegate to conventions. He has held the following offices: Constable, Township Clerk, School Inspector, Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Highways.

Mr. Gard is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, and all his buildings are in first-class order. He raises a fine grade of Shorthorns, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire and Spanish Merino sheep. He has lived on his present farm for sixty-four years and is well known as one of the first pioneers. He has always been an active worker in the cause of temperance, has given much of his attention to questions of public import, and is a man of broad intelligence.