Surnames: GARDINER SWAN HAND KENNEDY

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 04/07/1910

Gardiner, John (29 DEC 1837 - 29 Mar 1910)

This community has again been saddened by the entrance of death taking one of our old and respected citizens. Last Tuesday, March 29, 1910, at five o'clock the spirit of John Gardiner left the body and we shall see his familiar form no more. The injuries he sustained by his fall from a ladder in the barn were fatal, the shock being too great for his constitution. A weak heart and pneumonia resulting from the after effects of the fall caused his death.

John Gardiner was born at Mauan Town, Canada, Dec. 29, 1837. When very young he came to the United States with his parents, the family settling at Beloit, Wis. In 1851, traveling by ox team they moved to Stevens Point. When 17 years of age he was left the sole support of the family by the accidental death of his father. In the early sixties, allured by the excitement of the West he went in the direction of the setting sun, and while in Colorado enlisted in the civil war, serving two years and honorably discharged on account of rheumatism. Returning to Stevens Point, he worked on the river. In 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Swan, who with four children survive him. They are Oscar of Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Frank Hand of Alena, Idaho, Mrs. John Kennedy of Spokane, Wash. and Don of North Bend, Oregon. Mr. Gardiner was one of the earliest settlers here (Spencer, Wis.), coming in 1874. He first engaged in the mercantile business and later in lumbering, retiring from active business because of his advancing years.

The funeral was held at the home Saturday at 11:30, Rev. Poatlethwaite of Marshfield and Rev. Householder officiating. Interment was made at Stevens Point, the relatives and friends going on train No. 12, which leaves at 12:54. The services were in charge of Masonic order and over thirty of the Marshfield Masons, of which he was one, came to pay their respects to the departed one. A quartet of Marshfield singers very kindly rendered the hymns. The large number of people present and the beautiful floral offerings showed with what regard the deceased man was held in this town and other places where he was known. All the children except Don were able to be present for the funeral, but not before their father died. Other relatives who came here were Mrs. Finch and daughter Martha, Mrs. Curtiss, Thomas Swan, John Swan and daughter Helen, all of Stevens Point and F. B. Hand of Cord d'Alene, Idaho. The bereaved relatives have the sincere sympathy of a host of friends.