Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Gardner, Theodore C. December 21, 1843 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 1:43 am

Author: Chapman Brothers

THEODORE C. GARDNER, of Big Rapids, a portrait of whom we present upon the 
opposite page, was born Dec. 21, 1843, in Medina Co., Ohio, where he was 
reared under his father's care.  He is a son of Reuben and Mary (Branch) 
Gardner, native of New York, and of English descent.  Mr. Gardner became a 
soldier when he was 18 years old, enlisting April 23, 1861, in the Eighth Ohio 
Infantry, Company K., Capt. W.F. Pierce.  His command was attached to the Army 
of the Potomac, and during the period of his enlistment he was in 17 actions; 
among the most prominent were the battles of Bull Run, Antietam and South 
Mountain.  From all the casualties of war Mr. Gardner fortunately escaped, and 
was neither wounded nor taken prisoner.  He was made Sergeant soon after his 
first service in the war, and during the time was transferred to the Sixth 
U.S. Cavalry, in which he remained until he was mustered out, May 26, 1864.  
He returned to Ohio, and after two months entered the service of the 
Government, operating chiefly as a harness-maker.  He was thus employed about 
six months, and on the close of the war returned to Ohio.  Soon after he came 
to Oceana Co., Mich., and entered 160 acres of land under the homestead act.

He returned to Medina Co., Ohio, and was married May 22, 1866, to Lydia A., 
daughter of Alden and Lois (Morse) Apthorp, the father a native of 
Massachusetts, and the mother of New York.  They moved to Medina Co., Ohio, in 
1840, where Mrs. Gardner was born, May 16, 1844.  She was well educated in the 
common schools of the Buckeye State, and was a teacher some years previous to 
her marriage.  After that event she accompanied her husband to Michigan, and 
they resided on his farm in Oceana County until the fall of 1870, when Mr. 
Gardner removed his interests to Millbrook, Mecosta County, and established a 
general mercantil business, with a stock of goods, worth $600.  He continued 
to operate there until December, 1881, and during the time his business 
increased until it reached an aggreaget of $40,000 annually.  He sold out at 
the time named to E. F. Horton, and moved to Remus, Wheatland Tp., where he 
established a mercantile business, on a basis of $6,000.  His annual sales 
reach a figure of $50,000 and he maintains one of the finest stores and best 
assorted lines of goods in Northern Michigan.  He moved his family to Big 
Rapids, but continues to own and manage his extensive business interests at 
Remus.

In politics Mr. Gardner is a Republican, and has held positions of trust and 
prominence where he has resided.  Cora D. Apthorp, adopted daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Gardner, was born Dec. 30, 1871.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/gardner509nbs.txt

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