L. D. Gardner (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

L.D. GARDNER, farmer, P.O. Longton, was born in Perry County, Ohio, 1838, but was raised in Coles County, Ill.; enlisted in August 1861, in the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving three years; returning to Coles County from the army, remained there until 1865, when he emigrated to Kansas, locating at Fall River, Wilson County, remaining there until 1871, when he settled in Howard County, taking a claim in Section 27, Town 31, Range 12; there was no railroad nearer than Humboldt, about sixty-fives miles, where all supplies were obtained; there were no improvements to be seen, and only one house in sight, and the survey was not yet completed; has improved his claim by fencing sixty-acres; thirty-five acres in cultivation; planted a good orchard, put up good house, stable and corrals, and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising.  In 1869, was married to Miss Margaret Gardner, a native of Perry County, Ohio.  They have two children--Solomon S. and Alva A.

[rzollars]

   I am so glad to see this!  Thank you for posting it.  This is part of my husband's line.  Margaret mentioned above is the sister of Mary Gardner who married Theophilus Zollars, my husband's great-grandfather.  We did find some interesting info on this particular family.  The L. D. stands for Lorenzo Dow  -- apparently named after a well-known Methodist minister, and the family must have been obsessed with him.  Margaret's father and brother are also named Lorenzo Dow Gardner.  I have a copy of the marriage license for L.D. and Margaret, and it states that they are not closer than third cousins, but one researcher who has written a book on the Gardner line told me that she was pretty sure they were lying about that.  If memory serves, she identified them as second cousins.  Anyone else connected to this line?

[genealogynut]

Yes, there was a very well-known circuit rider in the early 1800's named Lorenzo Dow.  A lot of people named their children after him.  I have that name in my database as well.  For some unknown reason I associate the name of Lorenzo with a circus clown.