William T. Gardner Biography This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 715 Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm WILLIAM T. GARDNER is one of the members of the well-known firm of Gardner Brothers, general merchants and stockmen of Ree Heights, South Dakota. They have done more to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of that place and the surrounding section of Hand county than probably any others. As business men they have been enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and due success has not been denied them. William T. Gardner was born in La Salle county, Illinois, June 8, 1858, and is a son of Gilson and Margaret (Humphrey) Gardner, both natives of New York, the former born in Jefferson county, the latter in Utica. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, moved to Ohio, and after a few years spent in that state he went to Illinois in 1857. Subsequently he removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and still resides there, but his wife died in 1892. To them were born six children, five sons and one daughter, of whom one son is now living in Frankfort, South Dakota, while our subject and Frank R. live in Ree Heights. Mr. Gardner, of this review, was principally reared and educated in Iowa, where he later engaged in farming, until coming to South Dakota in 1882. He first located in Aurora county, where he followed agricultural pursuits for two years, and then came to Hand county, where, with his brother, Frank R., he embarked in the stock business, which they still continue, the brother having charge of the ranch. They handle about two hundred head of cattle yearly, besides carrying on farming quite extensively. In 1892 they opened a general store in Ree Heights, which our subject now conducts, and by fair and honorable dealing have built up a large trade in that line. In 1893 Mr. Gardner married Miss Anna Wharton, a native of Iowa, and they now have a little son, Harry. Frank R. Gardner was married in 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Kate Wetherell, also a native of Iowa, and to them have been born three children: Charles, Hugh and Margie. He came to Dakota in 1884 and located in Hand county, where he has since made his home. Prior to that he had followed farming and school teaching in Iowa. The brothers are both identified with the Republican party in politics, and at one time Frank R. was its candidate for county superintendent of schools.