My Genealogy Hound

JOHN GARDNER, a successful business man of Portland, Northampton County, has been a prominent resident of this section for more than a quarter of a century, and during this time has firmly established himself in the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is a gentleman of fine ability, and as a leader among the influential men of his locality is entitled to due credit for what he has accomplished and the influence which he still brings to bear in aid of whatever pertains to the progress of intelligence, education and morality.

The plant owned by Mr. Gardner is located near the borough of Portland. In the factory employment is given to about thirty-five hands, and the school slate manufactured is of a fine quality, the products being sold throughout the country from Maine to Oregon. Our subject is a native of Warren County, N. J., born February 17, 1838, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Kinney) Gardner, the latter deceased. The father, who is now eighty-two years of age, is a resident of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County. The parents were natives of Warren County, N. J., of which their ancestors were early settlers. The great-grandfather Gardner was the founder of the family in that county, and his son, our subject’s grandfather, was a hero of the Revolutionary War, in which he served as Quartermaster. The father has been a farmer throughout the greater part of his life, and resided in Warren County until the spring of 1893, when he removed to Northampton County.

The subject of this sketch was reared in the county of his birth, and in boyhood attended the public schools of Columbia. Remaining with his father until he attained his majority, he subsequently worked on a farm for $10 per month the first season and $12 afterward. In 1866 he became interested in the school-slate business with other parties at Warrington, N. J., where he operated a plant for one year. He then came to Northampton County and engaged in a similar line near Portland, beginning on a very small scale, but afterward increasing the business to its present proportions. In the manufacture of school slate he has been successful, and his plant is one of the best in the county.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Gardner served as Director of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, and also filled the position of Treasurer of the school fund. He married Lizzie Encke, daughter of Jesse Encke, of Portland, and by their union they have become the parents of three children, Harvey R., Loring J. and Myrtle. Socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in the lodge at Mt. Bethel. As a business man he is well and favorably known, and by the uprightness of his transactions has won the confidence of his associates.