Solano County Biographies

JOHN H. GARDINER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
is a native of New Jersey, where he received a common school education, 
finishing with an academical course in Philadelphia.  On leaving school he 
entered a dry goods store in that city, where he remained five years.
            Upon becoming of age he received an engagement to take charge of a 
branch store of a large dry goods house doing business in Baltimore.  During his 
connection with the house he resided at intervals in the States of Kentucky, 
Tennessee, Illinois and Maryland.  Upon the receipt of the news of the discovery 
of gold in California, he, with a party of seven others, embarked for this 
State, leaving Baltimore in the latter part of December, 1848, in the schooner 
Sovereign, the vessel having on board a company of 125 passengers.  The schooner 
landed at Porto Bello, at the mouth of the Chagres, the passengers ascending the 
river and thence by mules to Panama.  There being no established communication 
with California the party chartered a vessel � the bark John Ritson, of 
Marysport, England � and sailed for San Francisco in February, arriving on the 
18th day of May, 1849, after a tedious voyage, prolonged partly by the vessel 
being obliged to put into Acapulco for supplies of provisions and water.  
Remaining in San Francisco but a short time, he proceeded to Sacramento, and 
thence to the mines � then known as New Diggings, now the town of Auburn.
            Notwithstanding the large pay at that time, Mr. Gardiner abandoned 
the mines and returned to San Francisco, for the purpose of engaging in 
mercantile affairs � his last day�s work as a miner being rewarded by more than 
one hundred dollars worth of gold dust.  The party of seven members remained 
together, and engaged in merchandising, having three stores in operation in the 
city, erecting the first building that stood upon the south-west corner of 
Montgomery and Washington streets. The concern of Cooper & Co. prospered 
largely, and soon found themselves possessed of a large stock of goods, they 
doing a large warehouse trade.  The great fires that laid waste the city in 1850 
swept away all they had, and the party broke up.  Getting together a stock of 
assorted merchandise Mr. Gardiner and another member of the old firm opened 
store at Santa Cruz, where he remained six months.  Retiring again to San 
Francisco he continued in the mercantile business, in which occupation he 
continued until his removal to this county.
            During the year 1867 he revisited the Eastern States, extending his 
trip to Europe, visiting Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, 
England, etc.  After his return to the State he married, and soon thereafter 
moved to his present pleasant home on the bank of the Sacramento river, at Rio 
Vista.
            In 1876 Mr. Gardiner and his wife visited the Eastern States, for 
the purpose of attending the Centennial Exhibition, and paying a last visit to 
his former home � attending the sessions of the National Agricultural Congress, 
as a delegate from California.
            In the formation of society, in the early days of San Francisco, he 
was amongst the foremost, being one of the founders of the Mercantile Library, 
serving as Director and Secretary in the institution, and is a prominent member 
of the Society of California Pioneers, being, at the present time, 
Vice-President of the Society.
            He has always taken an active part in all matters, both political 
and social, pertaining to the welfare of the country; and it can be truthfully 
said of the subject of this sketch, that he has always regarded toil as manly 
and ennobling; and after passing through an honorable yet checkered life, he is 
now enjoying the comforts of a happy home, beloved by his wife and friends, and 
respected by the citizens of the State in which he lives.
 
History of Solano County � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley  & Co., East 
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 472-473