Notes for William Rothrock Gardner: From Commemorative Biographical Record of Central PA. Counties of Centre and Clinton
William Rothrock Gardner. The prosperity and advancement of a community depends upon its commercial activity, which is the result of the enterprising efforts of its business men. One of the leading and influential citizens of Howard borough, Centre county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this review, proprietor of the Howard Handle & Spoke Company, located at Howard. In that village, Mr Gardner was born October 24, 1861, a son of Andrew J. and Catherine (Lucas) Gardner. The father is also a native of Howard borough, he having been born November 12, 1821, in Howard township, of which Howard borough was formerly a part. His parents, Washington and Jane (Austin) Gardner, were natives of Sherman's Valley, Cumberland county and Centre county, respectively. Washington Gardner was born march 3, 1791, and was a son of John and Nancy (Thornton) Gardner, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in 1795, while his wife was born April 4, 1796, and was a daughter of William and Jane Austin, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Centre county. To the grandparents of our subject were born the following children: Hannah, wife of Jacob C Smith, a farmer of Centre county; Nancy, widow of Nathan H Lucas, of Eagleville, Centre county; Andrew J; Caroline, wife of Daniel Smith, a retired carpenter of Illinois; John D, a farmer of Centre county; Washington, who died when young; Anthony W, a farmer of Howard; Bersheara, widow of Joseph Williams, of Eagleville; Ellen, Deceased wife of James DeLong, a merchant of the same place; William, a farmer of Centre county; and Matilda, who died in early life. The parents of these children have both passed away, the father dying March 3, 1872, and the mother on December 25, 1883. They were highly respected farming people of Centre county, and members of the Church of Christ. In 1845, Andrew J Gardner began his business career as a carpenter and farmer in Howard township, but since 1894 he has lived retired in the village of that name, enjoying a well-earned rest. On December 18, 1849, he married Miss Catherine P Lucas, and the following children grace their union : Francis D, born December 31, 1851, is the wife of Roland Leathers, a decorator and general laborer, of Mt Eagle, Penn; Jane A, born August 31, 1854, is the wife of K G Shutt, a carpenter and millwright of Kane, Penn; Wickliffe H, born July 21, 1856, is a bookkeeper for the A French Spring Co, Pittsburg, Penn; Mitchell I, born August 6, 1858, is a bookkeeper for the Valentine Iron Co, of Bellefonte, Penn; William R, is the next in order of birth; and Ira, born December 14, 1866, died February 21, 1867. For the past forty-eight years the father has been a consistent and earnest member of the Church of Christ, and with the exception of three years of that time has served as elder. His well-spent life justly entitles him to the high regard in which he is universally held. The mother of our subject, a most estimable lady, was born in Centre county, February 23, 1825, and is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Peters) Lucas, natives of New York, who early became residents of Centre county, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. Her father died March 9, 1871, at the age of seventy-two, and her mother on July 7, 1883, at the age of seventy-nine years. A family of twelve were born to them, of whom, Catharine P. was the third. The paternal grandparents of Mrs Gardner, Baptist and Anna (Erskin) Lucas, were natives of Ireland, whence in an early day they came to Centre county, Pennsylvania. William R Gardner was married December 16, 1896, to Miss Gertrude McKean Bennison, daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (McKean) Bennison. On October 6, 1897, a son---Donald Bennison---was born to them. Mr Gardner is widely and favorably known throughout the community. During his boyhood and youth he aided in the labores of the farm, and for three years, after starting out in life for himself, he was in the postal service on the Pennsylvania and Erie railroad, his rout lying between Williamsport and Erie. For a time he was also operator for the Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad at New Castle Junction, Lawrence Co, Penn. The business of which he is now proprietor was organized by Shutt & Poulson in 1879; in 1893 our subject purchased an interest from K G Shutt, and has since served as manager. It is one of the leading industries of the locality, and much of its success is due to Mr Gardner, whose courteous treatment of patrons and honorable dealing insure future prosperity. Politically, he is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party; in religious faith he is a faithful member of the Church of Christ.
Note:dg The K G Shutt who sold him a part interest in his business was married to his sister Jane A.
More About William Rothrock Gardner and Gertrude M Bennison: Marriage: 12/16/1896
Children of William Rothrock Gardner and Gertrude M Bennison are:
William Rothrock Gardner (b. 10/24/1861, d. 11/22/1910)
Notes for William Rothrock Gardner: