My Genealogy Hound

Rev. N. M. Gardner was born in Polk County, Mo., Feb. 10, 1836, and is a son of P. P. and Margaret (Wilkinson) Gardner, who were born in Alabama and Mississippi, respectively, and came to Missouri about 1833 or 1834. The father was of a rather roving disposition, and owned farms in a number of different counties in Southwest Missouri. He made several trips to Texas, and lived in Arkansas for several years, but came back to Missouri, and died in Dade County in 1877, at about seventy years of age. In his family of ten children, only four of them are living: Nathan M., James M., LaFayette D. and Nancy K., wife of Abram Bardmass. The mother of these children lives in Aurora, with her son LaFayette. N. M. Gardner remained at home until twenty-four years of age, and received an excellent education. He attended the Greenfield Academy in Dade County, and Newton College in Newton County. He began studying medicine in Greenfield under Dr. Bender, and was afterward a student under Dr. Denby. In November, 1861, he enlisted in the army as sergeant, but was made hospital steward, which position he filled until April, 1863, when he was mustered out as assistant surgeon of the Sixth Missouri Volunteers, United States Army. He resigned in June, 1864 on account of ill-health, and came to Jefferson City, Mo., where he was enrolled as deputy United States marshal, in the Fifth Regimental District, and assisted in drafting the soldiers. After the war he practiced medicine in Jefferson City until 1870, and then practiced in Greenfield for a few years. He became a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church just before the breaking out of the war and after locating in Greenfield began preaching the Gospel. In April, 1886 he came to Aurora, where he has been engaged in mining, but also preaches when he is called upon. He has been quite an extensive traveler, and was married August 21, 1863, to Rachel A. Smith, who was born in Mason County, Ky. Six of their eight children are living: Ida A., wife of C. H. Young; Margaret A., wife of W. L. Alexander; Marion B., Jefferson E., Charles M. and Ernest F. Pearl P. and Ralph A. are deceased. Mr. Gardner is a member of the A. F. & A. M.