Seth Gardner
Seth Gardner, a prosperous agriculturalist and representative citizen of Troy Township, who has resided on his excellent farm of 71 acres, since the fall of 1900, was born in Berkshire Township, Delaware County, Ohio, January 23, 1851, and is a son of Reuben C. and Lydia (Rolloson) Gardner.
Reuben G. Gardner was born in New Jersey, but 61 years of his life were passed in Delaware County, Ohio, and for 50 years he was a prominent farmer of Berlin Township. His death took place in February, 1905. He married Lydia Rolloson, who was born in Delaware County and who is also deceased. Of their children, the following' survive: Phebe I., who married William B. Shaw, of Berlin Township; John M., residing at Van Wert, Ohio; Harriet, who married Nathaniel Perhamas, of Van Wert, Ohio; Seth, residing in Troy Township; Eunice, who married Charles U. Hall, of Berlin Township; Ciers, residing at Van Wert; Lemuel J., residing in Berlin Township; and Martin L., residing in Nebraska.
When Seth Gardner was about four years old, his parents moved from Berkshire to Berlin Township, and he resided there until he reached manhood, in the meanwhile securing a common school education. He then started out for himself, for in all essentials he is a self-made man. After learning the carpenter's trade he engaged in work in Delaware, and for twenty years was occupied there as a carpenter and contractor, remaining in that city until he retired to his farm in 1906. His land is well located and is capable of a high state of cultivation.
On April 13, 1869, Mr. Gardner was married to Susanna B. Davisson, who was born near New Madrid, Missouri, and is a daughter of Luke and Anna (Black) Davisson, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have had five children, of whom the only survivor is a daughter, Adaline. who married Arthur Dennis. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have one daughter, Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, at Delaware. Politically, the former is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Improved order of Red Men, having passed all the chairs in both lodges.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908