My Genealogy Hound

ARTHUR E. GARDINER, assessor of the town of Virgil, and one of the town’s representative agriculturists, was born in the town of Willet, this county, April 12, 1858, and is a son of Ishmael E. and Lizania (Eaton) Gardiner.

Nathan A. Gardiner, our subject’s grandfather, was born in the State of Rhode Island, and settled in Columbus, Cortland County, later living in the town of Willet, where he bought a farm and improved the same. The property is now owned by his heirs. He died when aged sixty-one years, ten months and twenty-two days. The children by his first wife were William; Ishmael E.; Isben; and Nathan A., Jr. His second wife was Philofa Clark.

Ishmael E., the second son, was born in the town of Columbus, and became the owner of the homestead by purchase. He built a new barn, and remodeled and modernized the house that his father had first erected. General farming continued to occupy his attention until 1892, when in June of that year his death occurred, being caused by a kick from a horse. His wife and sons, Ernest and Llewellyn, now carry on the farm. Mr. Gardiner was a Republican in respect to his political views, and was honored with a number of the township offices. The M. E. Church was fortunate in having him as a member, for he was a hard worker, and was never so well pleased as when doing good. The following children composed his family: Arthur E., the subject of this personal history; Minnie, who became the wife of William Jones; Ernest, who married Delia Draper of Lowman, Chemung County, N. Y.; Jennie, who married Oscar Sargent; Alice, who wedded Andrew Potts; and Llewellyn.

Our subject attended the district schools in Willet township, and received a thorough training in farming on the home place. From the homestead he started out for himself and worked for others until the spring of 1890, when he came to the town of Virgil, and purchased the Gridley farm of 112 acres on the East Side. Upon this estate, where others had failed to succeed, Mr. Gardiner by far-sighted judgment and hard work has not only secured a good living, but has transformed the farm into one of the nicest farming properties in his neighborhood. The fields are well tilled, buildings in excellent repair, the barns and houses having been remodeled and enlarged, and all the surroundings of the place show the results of superior farming methods. Mr. Gardiner has orchards of fruit, which he set out himself, and a choice dairy of fifteen milch cows. He owns three fine horses, and has stylish turnouts in which to make his country drives.

Mr. Gardiner married Miss Isabella E. Morey, daughter of Luman B. Morey of Willet township, and four children have been born to them, who are named as follows: Earl L.; Louis M.; Ray J.; and Clarence I. Our subject has been steadfast in his advocacy of Republican principles, and since 1895 has served as assessor of the town of Virgil. He has been a member of the county committee for a number of years, and is a valued worker in each political campaign. He is a member of Marathon Grange, P. of H. He and his family attend the M. E. Church of East Virgil.