LEVERETT EUGENE GARDNER -Skillfully devoting  his energies to the
management of the homestead on which he was born. Leverett Eugene
Gardner holds high rank among the prosperous agriculturists of Van
Buren township. He is a man of enterprise and keen foresight, possessing
a good understanding of the best ways of conducting his business so as to
secure profitable returns. His father, David Gardner, was born in Ames
township, Athens county, Ohio, March 16, 1821, a son of Thomas Gardner,
who was born and bred in New York city.
    Thomas Gardner was left an orphan when young, and during the
war of 1812 was employed in teaming for the government. Some years
afterwards, accompanied by his wife and seven children, he migrated to
Ohio and bought a large tract of land in Ames township. Clearing a
farm, he superintended its management and did an extensive business as
a dealer in live stock, driving cattle to the New York city market. A man
of strong physique, he lived to the good old age of ninety years. He mar-
ried Margaret Smith, who was born in New York city of German parents,
and died in Ames township, Ohio, at a very advanced age.
    Reared to agricultural pursuits, David Gardner remained on the
parental homestead until 1852, when he started for Indiana, coming by the
river to Lawrenceburg, thence by rail to Clay county. Though this part
of the state had been settled for several years, its improvement had been
slow, and much of the lancl was still in its virgin wildness. Brazil was
a small hamlet, with few habitations, and many of the near—by towns and
villages were built under his observation. Buying a tract of timbered land
in section fifteen, Van Buren township, he at once took possession of the
log house which stood in the small clearing, and with an energetic spirit
and a pioneer's axe began the iniprovement of a homestead. His faithful
wife and helpmate was busily employed witli her household duties, which
included carding, spinning, weaving. dressmaking and tailoring. There
beiiig no convenient markets in those days. the people subsisted on the
products of the land and the wild game, which was abundant, and not-
withstanding the scarcity of money were well fed and well clothed. Witli
the aid of his sons David Gardner cleared a fine farm, on which he resided
until his death July 28. 1900.
    On May 16, 1844, David Gardner married Mary Allard, who was
born in Deerfield township, Morgan county, Ohio, June 15, 1828, a daugh-
ter of Reuben Libby Allard, and granddaughter of Shadrach Allard.
Shadrach Allard was born in England, and with his brother Daniel and
sister Polly came to America when voting. Their father commanded an
English merchant vessel. and lost his life when his ship with all of her
crew was wrecked off the coast of Maine. Sliadrach Allard settled first
in New York state, but moved from there to Vermont, and subsequently
went to Athens county, Ohio. where he spent his closing years. He mar—
riedl first Mary Libby. who died in New York state. He married second
Hannah Woodbury, of Vermont.
    Reuben Libby Allard was born in New York state. was brought up in
Vermont, and subsequently moved to Ohio, locating first in Wasbington
county. From there he moved to Morgan county. then to Athens county,
and from there came to Clay county, Indiana. Purchasing land in section
fifteen, he began the improvement of a farm, but did not live long enough
to make many improvements, dying at the age of fifty—five years. His
wife, whose maiden name was Mary Allen, was born either in Ohio or in
the Shenandoah valley. Virginia, a daughter of Reuben and Mary Magda—
lene (Bird) Allen. Reuben Allen was a Virginian by birth and breeding,
and while living in his native state was a slave holder. Migrating to
Washington county, Ohio, he located in Belpre township. where both he
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Of the five children born
to David and Mary (Allard) Gardner four are living, namely: George
Leander, Amanda Viola, Leverett Eugene and Cora Nevada.
    Having acquired a practical education in the common schools, Lev-
erett Eugene Gardner turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and
succeeded his father in the management of the homestead property.
Active and enterprising, he has made many improvements, rebuilding and
adding to the house, and is carrying on general farming quite successfully.