BIO: William Rothrock GARDNER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  WILLIAM ROTHROCK GARDNER.  The prosperity and advancement of a 
community depends upon its commercial activity, which is the result of 
the enterprising efforts of its business men.  One of the leading and 
influential citizens of Howard borough, Centre county, is the gentleman 
whose name introduces this review, proprietor of the Howard Handle & 
Spoke Company, located at Howard.
  In that village, Mr. Gardner was born October 24, 1861, a son of 
Andrew J. and Catherine (Lucas) Gardner.  The father is also a native 
of Howard borough, he having been born November 12, 1821, in Howard 
township, of which Howard borough was formerly a part.  His parents, 
Washington and Jane (Austin) Gardner, were natives of Sherman's Valley, 
Cumberland

256  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county and Centre county, respectively.  Washington Gardner was born 
March 3, 1791, and was a son of John and Nancy (Thornton) Gardner, 
natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1795, while his wife 
was born April 4, 1796, and was a daughter of William and Jane Austin, 
natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Centre county.  To the 
grandparents of our subject were born the following children: Hannah, 
wife of Jacob C. Smith, a farmer of Centre county; Nancy, widow of 
Nathan H. Lucas, of Eagle, Centre county; Andrew J.; Caroline, wife of 
Daniel Smith, a retired carpenter of Illinois; John D., a farmer of 
Centre county; Washington, who died when young; Anthony W., a farmer of 
Howard; Bersheara, widow of Joseph Williams, of Eagleville; Ellen, 
deceased wife of James DeLong, a merchant of the same place; William, a 
farmer of Centre county; and Matilda, who died in early life.  The 
parents of these children have both passed away, the father dying March 
3, 1872, and the mother on December 25, 1883.  They were highly-
respected farming people of Centre county, and members of the Church of 
Christ.
  In 1845, Andrew J. Gardner began his business career as a carpenter 
and farmer in Howard township, but since 1894 he has lived retired in 
the village of that name, enjoying a well-earned rest.  On December 18, 
1849, he married Miss Catherine P. Lucas, and the following children 
grace their union: Frances D., born December 31, 1851, is the wife of 
Roland Leathers, a decorator and general laborer, of Mt. Eagle, Penn.; 
Jane A., born August 31, 1854, is the wife of K. G. Shutt, a carpenter 
and millwright of Kane, Penn.; Wickliffe H., born July 21, 1856, is a 
bookkeeper for the A. French Spring Co., Pittsburg, Penn.; Mitchell I., 
born August 6, 1858, is bookkeeper for the Valentine Iron Co., of 
Bellefonte, Penn.; William R. is next in order of birth; and Ira, born 
December 14, 1866, died February 21, 1867.  For the past forty-eight 
years the father has been a consistent and earnest member of the Church 
of Christ, and with the exception of three years of that time has 
served as elder.  His well-spent life justly entitles him to the high 
regard in which he is universally held.
  The mother of our subject, a most estimable lady, was born in Centre 
county, February 23, 1825, and is a daughter of Thomas and Anna 
(Peters) Lucas, natives of New York, who early became residents of 
Centre county, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits.  Her father 
died March 9, 1871, at the age of seventy-two, and her mother on July 
7, 1883, at the age of seventy-nine years.  A family of twelve children 
were born to them, of whom, Catharine P. was the third.  The paternal 
grandparents of Mrs. Gardner, Baptist and Anna (Erskin) Lucas, were 
natives of Ireland, whence in an early day they came to Centre county, 
Pennsylvania.
  William R. Gardner was married December 16, 1896, to Miss Gertrude 
McKean Bennison, daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (McKean) Bennison.  
On October 6, 1897, a son - Donald Bennison - was born to them.  Mr. 
Gardner is widely and favorably known throughout the community.  During 
his boyhood and youth he aided in the labors of the farm, and for three 
years, after starting out in life for himself, he was in the postal 
service on the Pennsylvania and Erie railroad, his route lying between 
Williamsport and Erie.  For a time he was also operator for the 
Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad at New Castle Junction, Lawrence Co., 
Penn.  The business of which he is now proprietor was organized by 
Shutt & Poulson in 1879; in 1893 our subject purchased an interest from 
K. G. Shutt, and has since served as manager.  It is one of the leading 
industries of the locality, and much of its success is due to Mr. 
Gardner, whose courteous treatment of patrons and honorable dealing 
insure future prosperity.  Politically, he is an earnest supporter of 
the Democratic party; in religious faith he is a faithful member of the 
Church of Christ.