Yavapai County AZ Archives Biographies.....Gardiner, James I. 1858 - living in 1896
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 5, 2005, 7:38 pm

Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 497-498

JAMES I. GARDINER. In the whole range of commercial enterprise no interest is of
more importance than that respecting the sale of general merchandise, and among
the most notable dealers in this line is James I. Gardiner of Prescott, Arizona
Territory, who came thither in 1879. He was born in old Missouri, and while
growing up received a practical education. When he first came to Arizona he
followed mining for some time, then saw milling, after which he worked for about
four years for wages in and around Prescott. In the fall of 1883 he embarked in
business on his own responsibility in a small way, across the street from where
he is at present located, and there he was successfully and busily employed for
seven years. He then erected the store building on the northeast corner of
Cortez and Willis streets, a one-story building with a brick enclosure 50x150
feet. He was his own architect, and the store is a beautiful, commodious and
convenient one. During the years from 1888 to 1891, he also had a storage room
of general merchandise, which he sold under contract and under the protection of
W. A. Clark, lessee of the United Verdi Company. Mr. Gardiner is like the
majority of the citizens of Prescott in that he is interested in mining to some
extent. In Skull Valley he and William P. Smith own 160 acres of land, on which
they have 1,200 thrifty fruit trees, from which they expect and hope much. Mr.
Gardiner has held the position of alderman of Prescott for four years, but can
by no means be termed a politician. He is, however, deeply interested in the
welfare of Arizona, and especially of Yavapai County, and is one of her foremost
citizens. His early life was marked by numerous hardships, but he surmounted the
difficulties which strewed his pathway and is now in good circumstances and a
successful business man. He was born near Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri,
January 15, 1858, was reared on a farm, and at the age of thirteen was left
without father or mother. From that time until he was seventeen years of age he
made his home with a brother-in-law in the upper counties of Missouri, then went
to Wichita, Kansas, and in 1876 secured employment on a farm in the vicinity of
that place, his employer being a Mr. Alexander. During the winter of 1876 and
1877 he attended the Wichita schools, his instructor being Professor McKind, and
this winter was one of the happiest periods of his life. From Wichita he went on
the trail and was with Captain Burt, driving cattle to Wichita from the Indian
Territory, and finally became that gentleman's partner, having been left some
money by his father. They were associated in the cattle business for one year, a
portion of which time was spent in various parts of Colorado, but no permanent
location was made. Mr. Gardiner spent the winter of 1878 in Trinidad, Colorado,
in the livery establishment of Bryant & Kair, then went to Otero, New Mexico,
and took charge of their livery business at that place for a few months. He then
made his way to Silver City, New Mexico, or rather started to go to that city,
but upon reaching Santa Fe, fell in with an old pioneer who lived near Prescott
and was persuaded by him to come to this city. The journey thither was made on
burros and five hundred miles were covered in twenty-three days. They were
compelled to journey in this manner owing to the fact that the "Star Route" had
been attached, but the trip thither was by no means unpleasant, and many
interesting things were seen and enjoyed. At that time Mr. Gardiner found it
extremely difficult to find employment, but he finally engaged in chopping cord
wood and was also engaged in mining at $4.00 per day. Four years were spent in
various occupations before he finally settled down to his present work. His
success was assured from the start, owing to the fact that he attended closely
to his business and was upright and honorable in his dealings with his patrons.
At the time he embarked in his mercantile enterprise he had saved up about
$1,000 and with this he laid the foundation of his present extensive business.
He is essentially a self-made man, and it is to his own energy and foresight
that his present prosperity is attributable. Mr. Gardiner was married in
Warrensburg, Missouri, June 3, 1890, to Miss Rebecca E. Belle, by whom he has
two children: Mary Frank and Gail Irvin.


Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896


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