My Genealogy Hound

B. B. GARDNER, farmer and dealer in leaf tobacco, P. O. Higginsport, is a son of Elder Matthew Gardner, who was born in Stephentown, N. Y., December 5, 1790, and in 1800 the family moved to Ohio. The Gardner forefathers came from England about 1685 or 1690. They were adherents of the principles of George Fox, and the religious denomination of Friends, commonly called Quakers, but from the intolerance of the Puritans, in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Gardners changed their intention of settling there and located in Rhode Island, where all forms of religious doctrine were allowed. In that State the grandfather of our subject was born, September 13, 1760; the grandmother, whose maiden name was Lucy Hawks, was born September 29, 1762, in Connecticut. About 1770, the family settled in the present limits of Rensselaer County, N. Y. When the grandfather of B. B. was about seventeen years old, he entered the Revolutionary service and assisted in releasing this country from English tyranny. After peace was restored, he returned home, and as before stated, in 1800 came to Ohio. Here Matthew, the father of B. B., was raised, and embraced the religion of the Christian Church, in which he faithfully labored as a minister for many years. He was among the pioneer ministers of Brown County, and one who nobly assisted in laying the groundwork of the Christian element now existing in, not only Brown, but some of the surrounding counties. Of his eleven children, B. B. is the eldest, and was born March 27, 1814, in Union Township, Brown County. He was brought up by his parents, in his native township. Here he learned the rudiments of farming, in the meantime attending the common schools. In the year 1836, he united in marriage with Susan Elliot, a native of Mason County, Ky. In the same year, they located on the farm they now own. It consists of 325 acres, well improved and under good cultivation, mainly accomplished by his own untiring efforts. He gave his attention to farming alone until the year 1848, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Higginsport. This business was destroyed by fire in a few years. He then engaged in feeding stock at the distillery of Shinkle & Thomas, in Higginsport, an enterprise which grew to considerable magnitude, and was extended to Kugler’s Mills in Clermont County, Ohio; Raney & Swarts, Lawrenceburg, Ind.; Case & Howe’s Patriot, Ind., and at Hamilton, Ohio, in all making a business of about $60,000 per annum, resulting very profitable for Mr. Gardner. Subsequently he, in partnership with Capt. McLain and others, built the boat Bostona, and ran in opposition to the “old line” on the Ohio River; the latter was broken up and Mr. Gardner remained thus engaged for a period of about eighteen months, when he retired from river life, and in association with other parties rebuilt the Shinkle Mill and engaged in distilling, and manufacturing of flour. When in fair operation, it was swept away by a conflagration. After this reverse, he entered the leaf tobacco trade, which has claimed his attention for about a quarter of a century. In the spring of 1882, he retired temporarily. Through his public life, he has always resided on his farm and superintended it, and in 1864 erected what is one of the substantial residences of the township, which, with the other surroundings, form a comfortable and pleasant home.