Biographical Sketch of

Henry R. Gardinier

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 474

Henry R. Gardinier, who resides on section 22, in the town of Green Lake, Green Lake County, is numbered among the 
pioneer settlers, having lived in the community since the days when the greater part of the land was still wild and 
uncultivated, when the houses were little log cabins and when civilization had but just begun to encroach upon the 
old hunting grounds of the Indians. As he is a leading citizen, we know that his sketch will be received with pleasure 
by his many friends and are glad of having the opportunity to present it to them. The main facts in his life are as 
follows:

He was born on the 18th of January 1824 in Columbia County, N.Y., and is a son of John S. and Jane (Van Hoorenberg) 
Gardenier. Both families were originally of Holland origin, but were founded in this country at an early day. Samuel 
Gardenier, grandfather of our subject, resided in New York where he was engaged as a farmer and horse drover. In his 
boyhood he drove a team to furnish the British soldiers with supplies. He lived to an advanced age and became the 
father of a family of seven children, of whom John S. was the youngest. The maternal grandfather, Capt. Rudolph Van 
Hoorenberg, engaged in merchandising in the Empire State throughout his entire business career. When the War of the 
Revolution broke out he laid aside all peaceful pursuits and donned his country�s colors, serving throughout the 
entire war. For faithful and meritorious conduct he was promoted to the rank of Captain and did effective service. 
He selected a New York lady for his wife and unto them was born eight children of whom the mother of our subject was 
fifth in order of birth.

John S. Gardenier was born in Columbia County, where he grew to manhood and was liberally educated. He attained great 
excellence in penmanship in the old style. His wife was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and upon their marriage 
they located in Columbia County, where they remained until 1844, when they emigrated to Walworth County, Wis.; thence, 
two years later they came to Green Lake County, entering the southwest quarter of section 21 in the town of Green Lake, 
where they spent their declining years, respected by all who knew them. Their first home was a log cabin and they shared 
in all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but by the united efforts of the entire family, they became well to 
do and in their old age were surrounded by all the comforts of life. In political sentiment Mr. Gardenier was a Whig.

In religious connection his wife was a Presbyterian but had previously been a member of the Dutch Reform Church. Her 
death occurred on her seventy-fifth birthday and Mr. Gardenier died at the age of seventy seven years.

Our subject was one of a family of nine children, consisting of five sons and four daughters, but of that number only 
two sons and two daughters are now living. He was early inured to hard labor, having to assist in the cultivation of 
the farm as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow. He remained at home until twenty one years of age, repaying 
in part by his timely assistance to his father in the farm labor, some of the care and love lavished upon him in his 
earlier years. As before stated he left the parental roof on attaining his majority but remained a single man until 
October 17, 1850, when a marriage ceremony united his destiny with that of Anna C. Cornwell, daughter of Morris and 
Anna (Devine) Cornwell, who came to Green Lake County among its early settlers. The lady is a native of Otsego County, 
N. Y., born March 7, 1830.

This worthy couple began their domestic life upon the farm which still continues to be their home and their union has 
been blessed with nine children; William D., the eldest, married Carrie Filkins, who died in 1881; Ella is the next in 
order of birth; Mary E., is the wife of James Hurlbut, and has one daughter; Hettie V. is the next younger; Morris C. 
is a graduate from the Valparaiso Business Institute; Lydia married Albert Staples; Henry R. is a student of the 
Valparaiso Institute; and A. Ray is yet at home; the third was Anna and is the one deceased.

Mr. Gardenier ranks high as a citizen and is numbered among the enterprising and progressive farmers of Green Lake Township, where he has made his home for forty three years. His farm comprises 400 acres with good buildings and well stocked. He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor and supported the Whig Party until his abolition views caused him to espouse the new Republican Party, of which he has since been a warm advocate. He has taken an active part in local affairs, has identified himself with the promotion of those interests which are calculated to benefit the community and held various local offices, the duties of which he discharged in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.







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