LORENZO GARDNER - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 394-395


LORENZO GARDNER, whose home is in Lavalle Township, Sauk County, WI, has for 
more than a quarter of a century been recognized as one of the leading and 
most successful agriculturists of the county. He was born 09 Aug 1838 in PA, 
son of Elisha P. and Phoebe (JORDAN) GARDNER. Elisha P. GARDNER was born in 
Otsego County, NY, and Phoebe (JORDAN) GARDNER was born near Knoxville 
[Allegheny, Fayette, or Tioga County?], PA. Elisha GARDNER brought his 
family to Dane County, WI, in the spring of 1851, and the next year moved to 
a farm near Reedsburg, [p 395] Sauk County, where he remained three or four 
years. He afterwards purchased a farm in Winfield Township, then sold it, 
and purchased the farm which became his homestead, and is now occupied by his 
son, W. S. GARDNER. Elisha P. GARDNER died at Lavalle [Sauk County, WI], 10 
Feb 1891, and his faithful wife died in the same village 21 Mar 1898.

Until he was 16 years of age Lorenzo GARDNER, the subject of this review, 
worked on the farm and attended the public schools of the neighborhood, where 
he picked up such education as could be gleaned under such circumstances. He 
has always been a great observer, and he has in this way gathered a fund of 
practical knowledge from many sources that has stood him in good stead on 
many occasions and affords him much pleasure and entertainment. When about 
17 years old he went to Grand Rapids [Wood County, WI; now Wisconsin Rapids], 
and engaged in carpenter work. He helped to erect the first frame building 
in the village of Centralia, now a thriving suburb of Grand Rapids, on the 
opposite bank of the Wisconsin River. After about five years of this work he 
returned to Sauk County and purchased a farm near the old homestead, and this 
farm he has since occupied. He has made a success of farming, and has an 
estate of great value, enhanced by excellent improvements and conveniences 
suitable for the prosecution of modern agriculture. He is practical and 
original in his ideas and keeps pace with advancing methods and progress in 
this branch of industry.

Mr. GARDNER was married 02 Sep 1862 to Sarah J. WHITE, daughter of John and 
Jane (COTTRELL) WHITE, natives of England, who came to the U. S. in 1848. To 
Mr. and Mrs. GARDNER ten children have been born, six of whom are now living: 
(1) Etta, born 03 Apr 1864, now Mrs. PACKARD, of Canton [Barron County], 
WI; (2) Frank L., born 10 Feb 1866, living at Lavalle [Sauk County, WI]; (3) 
Mary, born 30 Jun 1869, now Mrs. STEBBINS, of Woodland [Dodge County], WI; 
(4) Elmer, born 01 Aug 1873; (5) Isabel, born 14 Feb 1883; and (6) Louisa, 
born 20 Jul 1883, all at home. Mr. GARDNER takes an active interest in 
public matters, has always been a stanch Republican, has been elected to 
various town offices from time to time, and has always discharged his trust 
with honesty, fidelity and to the satisfaction of his constituents.