Holt County, MO Biography
William A. GARDNER, the circuit clerk of Holt Co., was born
at Northville, Wayne Co., Mich. Aug. 8, 1846. His father, Abraham
A. GARDNER, was born in Vermont, graduated at that state's Castleton
Medical College, and emigrated to Mich. He practiced medicine
about 4 years at St. Clair, Mich., then 30 years at Northville.
Dr. GARDNER moved to Kansas in 1860, returned to Mich. when the
Civil War broke out, moved to Mo. in 1867, and his home is now
near Oregon. William GARDNER'S mother's name was Jeanette C. RUSSELL,
born at Hoosac Falls, N. Y. When his parents returned to Mich.,
he remained in Kansas, attended Highland University in Doniphan
Co. until 1864, and then at age 17 enlisted in the 17th Kansas
regiment, serving until the end of the war. In 1865 he came to
Mo. and taught school in Andrew Co., Mo. For the most part of
1866 he was in Mich., but returned to Mo. and taught school at
Graham in Nodaway Co., in Holt Co., and at White Cloud, Kansas.
In 1868 and 1869 he sold goods in Graham. On Dec. 28, 1870, he
married Annie E. SPRINGER of Holt Co.; she died Feb. 24, 1875.
His second marriage was on June 1, 1876 to Mary L. SPRINGER, sister
of his first wife. He became connected with the Christian Church
in 1866 in Kansas and in 1871 began preaching, an occupation he
intends to make permanent. In 1873, he became pastor of the Christian
Churches of Oregon and Fairview. He is presently also pastor of
the Mound City and Chambers schoolhouse congregations. In 1874,
he was elected circuit clerk as the candidate of the Republican
party, to which he has always belonged.