California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


CHARLES A. GARDNER.  Son of Charles and Annice Dickson Gardner, was born in Middieport, Iroquois 
County, Illinois, August 22, 1842, and he remained at his birthplace until 1853. He then moved to St. 
Anthony, Minnesota, in company with his father's family. After a residence here of two years the 
family proceeded to Lake Pepin, where the father engaged in the practice of his profession.  the law. 
The elder Gardner was an energetic and highly respected gentleman, as is evinced by the fact that he 
was a member of the Territorial Legislature of Minnesota in 1855-6, and was further honored with the 
position of Speaker of the Lower House of that body. He afterwards received the nomination by 
President Buchanan to the position of Governor of Dakota, but it was not confirmed by the Senate. 
About 1857 the father purchased a stock of goods and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Delhi, Iowa, 
where he remained for two years. He then moved to Franklin County, where he practiced his 
profession until the fall of 1859. That winter was spent by the family in Kansas, and in the spring of 
1860 they started overland for California, coming the old emigrant route, and arriving in Sacramento in 
September of that year. Young Gardner first found employment as a clerk in the post-office in that 
city, under Postmaster Hardenberg, where he remained for one year. He then began work on the 
Sacramento Union, which he followed for about one year. In 1863 he went to San Francisco, and was 
engaged in his father's law office, and at several other occupations. He was a carrier for the 
Democratic Press of that city, and was present when that building was sacked at the time of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. While in San Francisco Mr. Gardner was a member of the 
Washington Guards and the City Guards, and helped to preserve order at that time. He was also a 
member of the Olympic Club. In 1865 he went to Portland, Oregon, and purchased a tract of land, and 
on his return to San Francisco he engaged in the publication of the Commercial Record, and after 
disposing of that he bought an interest in the Guide. He retained this but a short time, when he sold to 
his partner, and engaged in the study of law in his father's and other law offices. He was afterwards 
with Brooks & Ranleun, Hope, McKillop & Co., and others. He was with Bancroft & Co. for about one 
year on the Digest of California Reports. He then went to Portland, Oregon, with his family, and there 
filled the position of bookkeeper for the Oregon agency of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of 
New York. In 1870 he went to Anaheim, California, and there practiced law, being at one time Deputy 
District Attorney of Los Angeles County. At the end of one year he returned to Portland and engaged 
in the practice of law in connection with his father. He remained there but a short time, when he 
returned to Anaheim and purchased the Gazette of that place. In the fall of 1872, having changed the 
name of the paper to the Southern Californian, he sold out, and in December of that year came to 
Napa County, locating at St. Helena, and purchasing a vineyard of fifty acres. He then purchased a half 
interest in the Napa Register, which was conducted under the firm name of Francis & Gardner, for 
about two years. He then disposed of his interest to Mr. Francis, but remained in charge of the 
editorial department of the paper for another year. In June, 1876, he came to St. Helena and 
purchased the Star, which he has since continued to conduct in a manner that reflects great credit 
upon himself and best subserves the interests of the community in which he has cast his lot. He has 
been twice honored with the appointment of delegate to the Republican State Convention. Mr. 
Gardner was married in St. Helena, January 26, 1869, to Miss Sarah A Clark, a native of Hartwick, 
Delaware County, Iowa. Their children are, Miriam Emma, born April 15, 1870, at St. Helena; Edith 
Maria, born April 28, 1872, at Anaheim; Katy, born December 7, 1874, at Napa, and Ruth, born October 
6, 1877, at St. Helena.