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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARTICLE ON AMOS GARDNER

The last twenty-four years of the life of this prominent citizen of Matteson Township have been spent at his farm on section 11, to which he has during this time given his close attention, and to judge from appearances, has been amply rewarded for his industry.  .....

Mr. Gardner has been a resident of Matteson Township since 1837, being thus one of its early pioneers.  He was born in Burlington Township, Otsego Co., N.Y., March 18, 1833, and is the son of Hiram Gardner, a native of Vermont, who removed to New York State with his parents, Samuel and Diarlamaia Gardner, during the early settlement of Otsego County.  The latter spent there the remainder of their lives, dying after reaching their fourscore years.  The father of Samuel Gardner flourished in the Colonial times and served as a soldier in the Continental Army, while his brother, a Tory, fought on the side of the English, from which nationality they both sprang.

Hiram Gardner, the father of our subject, was reared and educated in Burlington Township, Otsego County, N.Y., and upon reaching manhood married Miss Permelia, daughter of Amos and Eleanor Matteson.  They came to the Territory of Michigan in 1835, and were among the first settlers of Matteson Township.  He lived to see a large proportion of the dense forest converted into flourishing grain fields, and passed away a ripe old age, in 1864.  His first wife died about ten years after coming to Michigan, and his second wife also died before his decease. ......

The Gardner family left the Empire State in the summer of 1837, and besides our subject there were two other sons, DeWitt and Samuel, who assisted in driving the ox-team.  The mother bore her share of the burdens, standing bravely by the side of her husband .....  She is still living, and is now seventy-nine years old.  She makes her home with her youngest daughter, Miss Permelia, in Sherwood Township, and for many years has been a member in good standing of the Methodist Church.  After their arrival in Michigan, five daughters were added to the household circle, the eldest of whom, Diadamia, died when about twenty-one years old.  The other -- Eunice, Delia, Celinda and Permelia - are all living in this part of the county.

Amos Gardner, our subject, was but a child when coming with his parents to Michigan, and was reared to manhood on a farm, acquiring such education as he could in the district school and by close application to his books in later years.  Upon establishing a home of his own, he was married in Franklin Township, Lenawee County, to Miss Ellen Whelan, who was born there, Dec. 18, 1844.  Her parents, Eri and Hannah (Stearns) Whelan, were natives respectively of New York and Massachusetts, and were married in the Empire State.  Both lived to an advanced age, the mother passing away in Franklin Township about 1865, and the father later, in Tecumseh.  They were among the earliest settlers of Lenawee County, and lived to see Franklin Township develop into a wealthy and prosperous community.  Mrs. Gardner was reared under the parental roof and completed her education in Tecumseh, after which she was employed as a teacher some years before her marriage.  Of her union with our subject there were bore seven children, two of whom died in infancy.  Mrs. Ellen Gardner departed this life at her home in Matteson Township, June 9, 1887, mourned by her family, and regretted by the entire community.

Miss Ella M., the eldest daughter of our subject, is the wife of Eli Keyes, a well-to-do farmer of Matteson Township.  The other daughters -- Gertrude B., Donna I. and Bernice A. - are at home with their father.