BIOS: David GARDNER, Jefferson, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 199-200.

  David Gardner, a well known citizen of Jefferson, Somerset County, and one of 
its most skilful farmers, was born here on February 21, 1838.  This township was 
also the native place of his father, the late John Gardner.
  His paternal grandfather, George Gardner, was born and educated in York 
County, Pennsylvania, but afterward settled in Somerset County, becoming a 
pioneer of Jefferson.  From a heavily wooded tract of land he improved a 
comfortable homestead, where he and his wife passed their remaining days.  Both 
were members of the Lutheran church.  Mrs. George Gardner's maiden name was Mary 
Young.  She bore her husband eight children.  Of these the two now living are 
Mary and Lydia.  Mary is the widow of the late Samuel Zufall; and Lydia is the 
wife of John D. Miller, and has eight children- Rebecca, David, Jonathan, 
Weslay, William, Mary, Susan, and Amanda.
  John Gardner was born on the old homestead in 1812.  He was employed in 
mercantile pursuits during his early manhood, and for four years had a general 
store in the village of Bakersville.  Subsequently purchasing a farm adjoining 
his father's, he thenceforward carried on general farming, including cattle 
raising and dealing until his decease, which occurred in 1895.  To him and his 
wife, Mary Barron, daughter of George and Mary Barron, of Somerset, were born 
two children, of whom but one is living; namely, David, the special subject of 
this brief sketch.  The mother died in 1862, at the age of seventy-two years.  
She was a member of the Lutheran church, of which her husband was a Deacon for 
many years.  David Gardner was educated in the common schools, and grew to 
manhood on the home farm, where he acquired a practical knowledge of 
agriculture, in which he has since been engaged.  In 1865 he purchased his 
present farm of one hundred acres.  This he has worked to the best advantage, 
and has now at least one-half of it in a high state of cultivation.  Besides 
tilling the soil, he has carried on a profitable business in the purchase and 
sale of cattle.  His successful career proves that his natural aptitude for 
business has been well developed, and that he has made good use of his 
opportunities.  He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has served his 
fellow-citizens in various responsible positions.  For the past eight years he 
has been Justice of the Peace.  For five years he was Postmaster in Bakersville.  
He was Assessor of the town at one time, and has been inspector of votes and 
judge of elections.
  On May 12, 1862, Mr. Gardner married Priscilla Howard, daughter of Abraham 
Howard, who was a farmer in Somerset the greater part of his life, but died 
while in Illinois, at the age of seventy-four years.  Mr. Howard's wife, whose 
maiden name was Mary Moore, died in early life, leaving six children- Elizabeth, 
Barbara M., Abraham, Priscilla (Mrs. Gardner), Mary and David.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Gardner are members of the Lutheran church, of which he was for a number of 
years Deacon and Elder.  They have two children, namely: William H. G., who 
married Ida Shaullis, of Jefferson, and has one child, Myrtle; and Charles J. H.