William C. Gardner

William C. GARDNER son of Samuel GARDNER and Lancha FRANCISCO, was born 15 Jul 1820 in Niagara Co, New York. He died 7 Jul 1892 in Bengal Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan and was buried in Gardner Cemetery, Bingham Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan.

CENSUS:

1850 U.S. Census, Bingham Twp, Clinton Co, Michigan:

William C. Gardner, 28, farmer, Value of real estate - $600, b. New York

Mary A., 26, b. New York

Esther M., 3, b. Michigan

William F., 1, b. Michigan

Harriet (or Fannie?) Bliss, 19, female, b. New York

Pemelia Bliss, 15, female, b. New York

------------------------------

1860 U.S. Census, Bengal Twp, Clinton Co., Michigan:

William C. Gardner, 38 , farmer, Value of real estate - $1500, Value of personal estate - $650, b. New York

Mary A., 36, b. New York

Maria, 16, common school teacher, b. Michigan, attended school within the year

Franklin, 11, b. Michigan, attended school within the year

Edwin, 3, b. Michigan

----------------------------------------

1864 Michigan State Census, Agriculture Census of Clinton County, Bengal Twp:

William C. Gardner

Whole no. of acres taxable - 48

No. of acres improved - 40

No. of acres of corn harvested preceding year - 6

No. of bushels of corn raised the preceding year - 200

No. of acres of wheat harvested the preceding year - 5

No. of bushels of wheat raised the preceding year - 20

No. of bushels of potatoes raised the preceding year - 35

No. of tons of hay cut the preceding year - 10

No. of pounds of pork marketed the preceding year - 500

No. of pounds of butter made the preceding year - 200

No. of horses 1 year old and older - 2

No. of neat cattle other than oxes and cows, 1 year old and over - 15

No. of milch cows - 2

No. of swine over 6 months old - 6

------------------------------

1864 Michigan State Census, Inhabitants Census of Clinton County, Bengal Twp:

William C. Gardner, farmer

Males under 5 years of age - 1

Males over 5 and under 10 - 1

Males over 10 and under 21 - 1

Males over 21 and under 45 - 1

Married - 1

Unmarried - 3

Females over 10 and under 18 - 1

Females over 18 and under 40 - 1

Married - 1

Unmarried - 1

------------------------------

1870 U.S. Census, Michigan, Clinton Co, Bengal Twp:

Gardner, William C., 50, farmer, Value of real estate - $3000, Value of personal estate - $900, b. New York

Mary, 46, keeping house, b. New York, father b. in Massachusetts, mother b. in Connecticut

Samuel C. (E.), 16, works on home farm, b. Michigan, attended school within the year

Sears, 9, b. Michigan, attended school within the year

------------------------------

1880 U.S. Census,Bengal Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan:

William C. Gardner, 59, farmer, b. New York, both parents b. New York

Mary A., 56, wife, keeping house, b. New York, father b. Massachusetts, mother b. Connecticut

Sears, 19, son, works on farm, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

MARRIAGE of WILLIAM C.:

William married Mary Ann BLISS, daughter of Ebenezer BLISS, on 31 Mar 1843 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. Mary was born 8 Jan 1824 in Triangle Twp., Broom Co, New York. She died 22 Jan 1896 in Bengal Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan.

BIOGRAPHY of WILLIAM C.:

"History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties Michigan with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers," (Philadelphia: D.W. Ensign & Co. 1880) p. 396:

"William C. Gardner was farming in Hamburg, Livingston Co., Mich., but in the beginning of 1840 he traded his farm with E.J. Mundy for the northeast fractional quarter of section 1, and in February of same year settled upon the land and is still residing on it. He claims to have set out the second orchard in the township."

DEATH of WILLIAM C.:

"St. Johns News," St. Johns, Michigan, Tuesday, July 12, 1892:

William C. Gardner died at his home four miles north and west of St. Johns, at 8 o'clock, Thursday evening, July 7th, of apoplexy, aged 72 years.

Mr. Gardner was born in Niagara county, N.Y., in 1820. He came to Michigan in 1840 and after one year's residence returned to New York for a wife, finding one good and true in the surviving widow, whose maiden name was Mary A. Bliss. They settled upon the farm, two miles north and two west of St. Johns, where they always lived. He leaves one surviving brother, Peter Gardner, of this village; his wife and four children, all of whom were present at the funeral, and who are as follows: Mrs. Maria A. Butts, Chesaning; W.F. Gardner, of Owosso; S.E. Gardner and Sears Gardner, of St. Johns.

The deceased was in what was thought good health, having never complained to any extent. He was stricken suddenly about 4 o'clock while doing some work in the garden, only speaking a few words to the effect that he would be all right, before losing consciousness. The funeral was held at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, Rev. C.G. Thomas, officiating, and the remains were interred in the Gardner cemetery.

Coming into this county in a day when nothing but swamps and forests were predominant, Mr. Gardner showed the true metal of which he was composed. With indefatigable zeal he carried on the work of improvement, all the time mindful of the wants of his family and ever seeking their comfort and pleasure. He never spoke unkindly to them and during the past continued indisposition of his wife was her constant companion and nurse.

------------------------------

"The Clinton Republican," St. Johns, Michigan, Thursday, July 14, 1892:

Wm. C. Gardner, of Bengal, died at his home in Bengal, July 8th, of paralysis, aged 72 years. He leaves a wife and four children, Mrs. Mariah Butts, of Chesaning; W.F. Gardner, of Owosso; Samuel E. Gardner and Sears Gardner, of Bengal. Deceased has resided on the farm where he died fifty-two years and was buried on the land he cleared. He was an upright man, and possessed the esteem and respect of all who knew him. His funeral was held at the house Saturday, Rev. C.G. Thomas officiating.

------------------------------

"The Clinton Independent," St. Johns, Michigan, Thursday morning, July 14, 1892:

Wm. C. Gardner, one of the first settlers in Clinton county, died at his home in Bengal township, on Thursday evening of last week. He had been doing some work in the garden in the afternoon of that day, when, at about four o'clock, he was stricken with paralysis. Mr. Gardner had lived in Clinton county 52 years, clearing off a fine farm, and was buried on the spot he himself had cleared - now the cemetery. He was an upright citizen, respected by all. He would have been 72 years old on the 15th of this month. He leaves a wife and four children - Mrs. Maria Butts, Chesaning; W.F. Gardner, of Owosso; Samuel E. Gardner and Sears Gardner, of Bengal. The funeral was held on Saturday from the house, Rev. C.G. Thomas, of this village , officiating.

William C. Gardner headstone, Gardner Cemetery

DEATH of MARY ANN:

"Clinton Republican," St. Johns, Michigan, 29 Jan. 1896:

Mrs. Maryanna Gardner, widow of the late Wm. C. Gardner, died at her home on section one, Bengal, January 23d, of pneumonia, aged 72 years. Her husband died July 7th, 1892. Deceased was born in Broom county, New York, her maiden name being Bliss. She was married in March, 1843, and had lived on the farm where she died ever since - 53 years. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, one daughter, Mrs. Maria Butts, of Chesaning, W.G. Gardner, of Owosso, who departed this life March 12, 1893; and Eborr and Sears Gardner, now residing in the township of Bengal. Deceased was a patient, kind and gentle wife and mother. The funeral was held at the house Saturday, Rev. D.D. Martin, officiating..

One of the sons is quite ill, and callers are requested to defer visits for the present.

William C. and Mary A. had the following CHILDREN:

1. Maria Esther GARDNER (William C.) was born 30 Dec 1844 in St. Johns, Clinton Co., Michigan. She died 30 Jan 1921 in Chesaning, Saginaw Co., Michigan and was buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Chesaning, Michigan.

2. William Franklin "Frank" GARDNER (William C.) was born 4 Feb 1849 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan. He died 12 Mar 1893 in the City of Owosso, Shiawassee Co, Michigan and was buried 15 Mar 1893 in Mount Rest Cemetery, St.Johns, Clinton Co, Michigan.

3. Samuel E. GARDNER (William C.) was born 30 July 1854 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. He died 24 May 1920, in Hamburg Twp., Livingston Co., Michigan.

CENSUS:

1880 U.S. Census, Bingham Twp., Clinton County, Michigan:

Samuel E. Gardner, 25, carpenter, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

Alace, 23, House keeper, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

Eddie, 2, son, b. Michigan

------------------------------

1900 U.S. Census, Bengal Twp., Clinton County, Michigan:

Samuel E. Gardner, 45, carpenter, b. July 1854, married 23 years, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

Alice, 42, wife, b. Oct 1857, married 23 years, mother of two children, one living, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

Eddie, 22, son, b. Feb 1878, married 2 years, carpenter, b. Michigan

Della, 21, daughter-in-law, b. Oct 1878, married 2 years, no children, b. Michigan

------------------------------

1910 U.S. Census, St.Johns City, Ward 2, Clinton County, Michigan:

Samuel E. Gardner, 32, married 12 years, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, carpenter

Della A., wife, 31, married 12 years, no children, b. Michigan, both parents b. Ohio

Samuel E. Gardner, 56, father, widow, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, carpenter

-------------------------------

1920 U.S. Census, Hamburg Twp., Livingston Co., Michigan:

Samuel Gardner, 65, owns home free of mortgage, widow, b. Michigan, father b. New York, mother b. Connecticut, farmer on general farm

Samuel Jr., 42, son, married, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, carpenter

Della, 42, daughter-in-law, married, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

MARRIAGE of SAMUEL E.:

Samuel married Alice OCOBOCK, daughter of Jackson OCOBOCK and Mary A. BANCROFT, on 20 Feb 1876 in Greenbush Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan. Alice was born 16 Oct 1857 in Essex Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan. She died 28 Jun 1905 in Bengal Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan and was buried in Gardner Cemetery, Bingham Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan.

DEATH of ALICE:

"Clinton Republican," St. Johns, Michigan, 29 June 1905:

Mrs. Samuel E. Gardner died at her home two miles north and two miles west of this city, Wednesday afternoon, of consumption. Mrs. Gardner caught a severe cold while on the Sunday school excursion to Detroit last August and never recovered from its effects. The funeral services will be held at the house Saturday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, Rev. R.S. McGregor officiating and interment will be in Gardner cemetery.

Alice Ocobock was born in Bengal township, October 16, 1857, and had resided in Clinton county all her life. She was united in marriage to Samuel E. Gardner, who, with their son, Ed., survive her. She was a kind and indulgent wife and mother and will be greatly missed by the bereaved family and friends.

DEATH of SAMUEL E.:

"Clinton Republican," St. Johns, Michigan, 27 May 1920:

Samuel E. Gardner, son of the late William Gardner, passed away May 24 at the home of his son, Edward, at Hamburg, Mich.

Mr. Gardner was born in Bingham township, this county, July 30, 1854. In the year 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ocobock who passed away 15 years ago. To this union two sons were born, Pearlie, who died in infancy, and Samuel at whose home he died.

He leaves to mourn their loss one sister, Mrs. Marie Butts of Chesaning and a brother, Sears of Shaftsburg, besides a host of friends.

The funeral services occur this afternoon at the M.E. church at 1 p.m., Rev. E.A. Amstrong officiating and interment made in the Gardner cemetery. Mr. Gardner's last request was that the song, "I Have Been Redeemed," be sung at his funeral and it was as he asked.

Samuel E. and Alice had the following CHILDREN:

1. Samuel E. "Ed" GARDNER (Samuel E.) was born 27 Feb 1878 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. He died date unknown.

Samuel E. "Ed" Gardner

EDUCATION:

"Gardner School," Clinton County Trails, Genealogists of the Clinton County Historical Society, June 1997, p. 15:

"Among the class lists...the following students are named with ages:

Term Commencing March 15, 1886, H.A. Thompson, Teacher

Gardner, Eddie - 8

Several photos of Gardner School are held at the archives. This list gives names and year of photo (if known) of people shown...:

Gardner, Edwin - 1884"

CENSUS:

See 1900, 1910, and 1920 Census above under Samuel E. GARDNER (William C.)

MARRIAGE:

Samuel married Della Amelia THURSTON, daughter of Nathanial THURSTON and Mary E. BEVENS, on 29 Sep 1897. Della was born 26 Oct 1878 in Bengal Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. She died 22 Aug 1963. They were divorced.

DEATH of DELLA:

"Clinton Republican," 29 Aug 1963:

Mrs. George (Della Amelia) Lentz, 84, died Thursday, Aug. 22, at 12:55 a.m. in Clinton Memorial hospital where she had been a patient 26 days. Death followed a long illness.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Osgood Funeral Home with Dr. Clyde H. Wilcox officiating. Burial was in Riverside cemetery at Alma.

Mrs. Lentz was born in Bengal township Oct. 26, 1878, a daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Bevens Thurston. As a child, she attended the Bengal Center school.

She had resided in Alma 30 years prior to moving to St. Johns about two years ago. She was a member of the Alma Church of God, the Order of Eastern Star and the Rebekah lodge.

Her husband, George Lentz, whom she married in Alma in 1924, died in 1956.

Surviving are....

2. Perley GARDNER (Samuel E.) was born 13 Apr 1884 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. He died 7 Oct 1884 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan and was buried in Gardner Cemetery, Bingham Twp., Clinton Co, Michigan.

Perley Gardner headstone

Alice Ocobock Gardner headstone

4. Sears GARDNER (William C.) was born Dec 1861 in Clinton Co., Michigan. He died 10 Dec 1947 in Portland, Ionia Co.., Michigan and was buried in Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Clinton Co, Michigan.

CENSUS:

First listed in the 1870 census under William C. Gardner, Bengal Twp., Clinton County, Michigan. Sears is 9 years old, b. Michigan.

He's listed in the 1880 census under William C. Gardner, Bengal Twp., Clinton County, Michigan. Sears is 19 years old, works on farm.

------------------------------

1900 U.S. Census, Bengal Twp., Clinton County, Michigan:

Sears Gardner, 39, b. Dec. 1860, married 19 years, farmer, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York

Mary, wife, 40, b. Aug. 1859, married 19 years, 3 children, 3 living, b. Ohio, both parents b. New York

Evangeline M., 13, daughter, b. Aug 1886, b. Michigan

Gertrude A., 2, daughter, b. July 1897, b. Michigan

Claud, 5 months, son, b. Jan 1900, b. Michigan

Dyre, 44, cousin, b. Jan 1856, single, b. Michigan, father b. New York, mother b. Vermont

------------------------------

1910 U.S. Census, Saint Johns City, Ward 3, Clinton County, Michigan:

Sears Gardner, 49, married 28 years, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York, proprietor of a feed barn

Mary E., 50, wife, married 28 years, 3 children, 3 living, b. Ohio, both parents b. New York

Eva May, 23, daughter, b. Michigan, single, dressmaker - general

Gertrude A., 12, daughter, b. Michigan

Claude, 10, son, b. Michigan

----------------------------------

1920 U.S. Census, Williamstown Twp., Ingham County, Michigan:

Sears Gardner, 58, owns farm free of mortgage, married, b. Michigan, both parents b. New York, farmer on general farm

Mary E., 59, wife, b. Ohio, both parents b. New York

Gertrude A., 22, daughter, single, b. Michigan

Simon Haynor (Haynes), 85, father-in-law, widow, b. New York, father b. New Jersey, mother b. New York

------------------------------

1930 U.S. Census, Bingham Twp., Clinton County, Michigan:

Sears Gardner, 68, owns home, value of estate - $3000, married, first married at 28 years old, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, laborer at odd jobs

Luella L., 70, wife, first married at 17 years old, b. Ohio, father b. Germany, mother b. Ohio

MARRIAGES of SEARS:

Sears married Mary E. HAYNES (1), daughter of Simeon HAYNES and Emeline, on 5 Oct 1881 in St. Johns, Clinton Co, Michigan. Mary was born Aug 1860 in Lorain Co., Ohio. She died 30 Mar 1925 and was buried in Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Clinton Co, Michigan.

Sears also married Luella L. (2) between 1925 and 1930.

DEATH OF MARY E.

From the book, "Forest Hill History," by Bertha Light, 1979:

Mrs. Gardner, a resident of this county many years, died at her home near Haslett, March 30 (1925). About 8 years ago she left St. Johns with her husband who had been the proprietor of a feed barn here. She is survived by her husband and two children, Claude and Gertrude. Burial services will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon at Mt. Rest Cemetery here.

DEATH of SEARS:

"Clinton County Republican News," 18 Dec 1947:

Services were held from the Vincent funeral home in Dewitt Saturday, for Sears Gardner, 85, of Bath, a former St. Johns resident, who passed away Dec. 10, at the Watring Nursing Home in Portland, following a long illness.

Rev. E.E. Carpenter officiated and interment was in Mt. Rest cemetery in St. Johns. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Doak, of Dewitt; a son, Claude, of East Lansing, and three grandchildren.

Sears and Mary had the following CHILDREN:

1. Evangeline M. "Eva May" GARDNER (Sears) was born 16 Aug 1886 in Bingham Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. She died 1924 and was buried in Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns, Clinton Co, Michigan.

EDUCATION:

"Gardner School," Clinton County Trails, Genealogists of the Clinton County Historical Society, June 1997, p. 16:

"Several photos of Gardner School are held at the archives. This list gives names and year of photo (if known) of people shown...:

Gardner, Eva - 1891"

2. Gertrude A. GARDNER (Sears) was born 24 Jul 1897 in Bengal Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. She died Jun 1978.

MARRIAGE of GERTRUDE:

Gertrude married Ray H. DOAK 21 June 1926 in Lansing, Ingham Co., Michigan. Ray was born 2 April 1896, in Owosso Twp., Shiawassee Co., Michigan.

CENSUS:

1930 U.S. Census, Lansing City, Ward 7, Ingham Co., Michigan:

Ray H. Doak, 34, owns a home valued at $7500, first married at 26 years old, b. Michigan, father b. Michigan, mother b. Canada-English, Interior decorator, veteran of WWI

Gertrude A., 32, wife, first married at 25 yrs., b. Michigan, father b. Michigan, mother b. Ohio

Jack H., 6 months old, son, b. Michigan

3. Claude GARDNER (Sears) was born 13 Jan 1900 in Essex Twp., Clinton Co., Michigan. He died Jun 1969.

CENSUS:

1920 U.S. Census, Lansing City, Ward 6, Ingham Co., Michigan:

Claude Gardner, 19, single, b. Michigan, both parents b. in the United States, time-keeper in an auto factory

He rooms with the Harry M. Kinney family.

------------------------------

1930 U.S. Census, Williamston Twp., Williamston Village, Ingham County, Michigan:

Claude (E. or F.) Gardner, 30, owns a home, value of real estate - $7500, owns a radio set, first married at 20 years old, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan, insurance agent, is not a veteran

Marian U., 32, wife, first married at 22 years old, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan

John R., 5, son, attended school, b. Michigan, both parents b. Michigan

MARRIAGE of CLAUDE:

Claud married Marian U. about 1920. Marian was born about 1898 in Michigan.

Claude and Marian had the following CHILD:

1. John R. GARDNER was born about 1925 in Michigan.

[Home] [Name Index]

[ Back to Top]

Email: Carol Gardner