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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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OSCAR N. GARDNER. Among the prominent and influential farmers and citizens of Cortland County is the subject of the following sketch, whose name occurs above. He is a native of Freetown, this county, where he was born June 26, 1846. He is a son of Stephen and Caroline (Bronson) Gardner. His grandfather, Abiah Gardner, a native of Connecticut, was one who figured very prominently among the pioneers, and who lived to see the development of his country, and to see the wilds of his native county transformed into comfortable homes. At the age of fourteen he moved to the town of New Lisbon, Otsego County, and in 1830 he changed his residence and located upon a farm near Freetown, this county. There he at once engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, and was recognized as one of the best and most careful farmers of his time. Abiah Gardner married Hannah Bowdish, and to them were born a family of eleven children: Elizabeth, Lucy, Eunice, Matilda, Sally, Gertrude, Stephen, James, Perry, Joseph and Hiram. His death occurred at his home in Freetown, December, 1876.

Stephen Gardner, the father of our subject, was born in Otsego County in 1811. He married Caroline Bronson, and as a result of this happy union, their home was blessed by the following children: Eugene, deceased; George, deceased; Frank, who resides in Freetown, and is a carpenter and joiner by trade; Oscar N., the subject of this sketch; one that died in infancy; Hannah died at the age of twenty-three; Sallie, widow of Morris Briggs, now residing in Freetown; and Eunice, wife of W. L. Seeber, who resides in Cortland. Mr. Gardner spent his life upon a farm. From choice and inclination he delighted in agricultural pursuits. He had a beautiful farm, well situated, and on it he lived in comparative ease and enjoyed life in its truest sense. He died in December, 1876, and his death was mourned by a large circle of intimate acquaintances, who esteemed him as an honest and true friend.

Oscar N. Gardner’s education was limited to the common schools of his neighborhood. He remained at home during his early youth, and began life on his own account, as a stationary engineer, which occupation he followed for eight years. Finding this not congenial to his tastes, he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and has followed this trade ever since. He owns a well-improved farm situated near Freetown, which he rents, and which brings him a snug income. He also owns sixty-one acres of good land. He lives upon the old homestead, which is handsomely situated, with a large and commodious house, elegantly furnished, and surrounded by beautiful scenery. Politically, he has always voted the Republican ticket on all occasions, and has labored zealously and conscientiously in its behalf, devoting much personal labor in its interests. He has served his party as supervisor for four years or three terms, and has frequently represented his people in county conventions and public assemblies, and is at present a delegate to the county convention. In the present and years gone by, the neighbors of Mr. Gardner have known him as an open, generous-hearted man, a true friend and an honest, upright citizen.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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