McHenry County IL Archives News.....Simeon "Barton" Gardner Obituary & misc notes June 16, 1905 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jenise Smith SarahUnk@cox.net February 20, 2007, 8:29 pm Marengo Republican News June 16, 1905 Marengo Republican News Simeon Barton Gardner, Well-Known Resident and Pioneer Railroad Conductor, Passes Away Following an illness of about two weeks, from paralysis, S.B. Gardner, known to everyone as "Bart" Gardner, died at his home in this city Tuesday afternoon, June 13, 1905, at five minutes past two o'clock. When his eyes closed in the sleep from which there is no earthly awakening, his devoted wife and two sons were at his bedside and so peacefully did the final dissolution take place that there was scarcely a tremor across the river whose currents flow to an unknown land. It was the close of an active and useful life so sudden did it come that it was almost impossible to believe the silver cord had been broken. On Monday noon two weeks previous Mr. Gardner was taken ill but not until night was the illness thought to be of a serious nature. Tuesday morning his left side had become completely paralyzed and his condition grew alarmingly worse: from this time on the unequal battle was waged until at last he was exhausted and gave way to the strong arm of death. Simeon Barton Gardner was born in North East, Erie County, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1836 and in 1844 came west with his parents and assisted them in running a farm in Riley. When the old Galena & Chicago Union railroad was constructed through here in 1853, he was engaged in the building of the road, in 1854 he became a conductor and retained this position until 1883, when he resigned after nearly thirty years of most satisfactory service. There is scarcely a person living on the Galena division who was here thirty years ago, who did not know "Bart" Gardner. He was always accommodating and would go out of his way to do favors for his friends. No worthy call for assistance was ever unheeded by him. After he left the road, he was appointed station agent at Marengo, Nov. 14, 1883, serving until Aug. 18, 1897, when he resigned, to enjoy the latter part of his life free from business cares. He owned a fine farm east of Marengo and other property in the city. Decedent was married at Lake Geneva, Wis., Feb. 5, 1859, to Esther Betsey Wright, who survives him; to them were born two sons; Friend Jay, and Fred Day, both of whom are living, the former is cashier for the Pacific Express Company, Chicago, the latter a brakeman on the Northwestern. For many years they cared for a girl from Freeport, rearing her to womanhood as their own child. Mr. Gardner was a member of Marengo lodge, No. 138 A.F. and A.M., and was also a director in the Dairyman's State Bank. He never aspired to public office but preferred to aid his friends in their ambitions. In every way he was a useful and helpful citizen doing much for the good of the town in building fine residences and by worthy example, improving its moral tone. During the winter of 1888, when there had been a snow blockade for three days, with no trains or mail from Chicago, he brought through the train which broke the blockade and relieved many anxious hearts. Full of resources he accomplished things where other men failed and he will be greatly missed by the people of Marengo. Besides his wife and sons, he leaves three sisters and one brother; Miss Mittie Gardner, Mrs. Bessie Taylor, Mrs. Mary Fuller, all of Oakland, Cal., and one brother, Henry, of Nebraska. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon from the home and was conducted by Rev. W.H. Matthews of Chicago, who delivered a brief but comforting sermon. Miss Pearl Richardson, Mrs. S.C. Wernham, R. B. Wixson and Dwight Babcock sang. The services were in charge of the Masonic brethren and were most impressive. There were many beautiful flowers surrounding the casket. Many railroad men and friends from other towns were present to pay their last tribute of respect to the brother and true friend of a lifetime. Mrs. Gardner and sons have the deepest sympathy of all of our people in this hour when clouds obscure the sun and the mailed hand of death rests heavy upon their homes. Other people mentioned in adjacent articles: Mrs. Frank Pierce A.G. Carman Miss Esther Thorne J. B. Babcock J. S. Gochey J.J. Murphy Mrs. B. Cady W.C. Stewart Mrs. H.E. Whipple, Dunham Mrs. B.W. Palmer Miss Nora Bauder C.L. Linsley Ralph Brown Mrs. James Waterman Mrs. Wesley Coonrad Mrs. George Perkins Mrs. Frank Johnson Mrs. Will Coonrad Frank H. Gardner (no relation that I have found to Bart Gardner) former pastor of Garfield Boulevard Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, and previously pastor of M.E. Church in Marengo, IL File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mchenry/newspapers/simeonba189nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb