The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-06-20
DEATH OF HON. RANSOM GABD.
NEw.


DEATH OF HON, HANSON GABDr
History 81 EHis Life aud Character.
From the Kalamazoo Telegraph, June 0.
Intelligence was received here this
morning Of the sudden death from
pneumonia and congestion Of the lungs.
of Mr.. Ransom Gardner, which occur
red this Friaay) morning. 1t is only
a week ago to-day that Mrs. Gardner
was summoned by q telegram, and left
here to attend the illness OF her hus-
band. On Sunday week he was here
at home in good health, and in unusu-
ally good spirits. over the virtual COM
pletion OF his railroad enterprise in In
diana. His sudden death has been un-
expected, and is severe shock to his
relatives and friends.
Mr.. Gardner was born at Ft. Ann,
New York, about 1914. He moved to
Elbridge in the same State, when a
young man, and soon after came to
Jonesville, Mich, about 1897. He took
up land there, was senior partner in
the leading store, and built two mills
at or near the place. His first connec-
ton with railroad matters, in which he
was chiefly known in this community,
wns in q contract for the station house
at Jonesville- He next took contract
for grading on the Michigan Southern
& Northern Indians, which was push.
ing on toward Chicago. This was fol-
lowed with contrasts Of track laying;
he did large part OF tho latter for the
NJ. s. & n. l., from Jonesville to the
end CT the route, and large amount.
perhaps half, Of the Chicago 4 Rock
Island track. The latter road was then,
as now. the chief western connection
OF "the Southern"
Mr.. Gardner owned 1000 acres on
the G. & r. /. west Of Chicago, and
plated a village there. Tie chief bus
mess OF the place has been in the hands
of r. Gardner & Co., till within year
Mr.. Gardner having lately withdrawn
from the firm. Mr.. G.. also built the
old station house of these two railroads
a building first erected temporarily by
Mr.. Gardner, but used by the com
panies for 30 years, till replaced by
their present imposing structure. His
next work was to build the Detroit a
Toledo branch Of tho Southern, during
the construction OF which he removed
to Detroit for time. He also bull
, the Jackson and Adrian branch, we be
| lieve. His means were largely invest
I ed in the Southern stock, il is report
! ed, at time when it was quoted some
, /, where in the neighborhood OF 30 cents
' II proved fortunate that his construc
tion contracts brought him stock at sC
l low rates, for il afterwards apprecia
, ted two OF three hundred per cent
Mr.. Gardner was induced to take tn,
, road from White Pigeon to Three Riv
4 ers in hand, when il was apparently I
4 hopeless investment aud dead weigh
l on the Michigan Southern. 1t has
1 strap rails at that time, but something
Of a road bed, and TO this extent it wa
n capital. Mr.. Gardner's plan Was to ex
; tend the road to Kalamazoo and tai
a the rich country that centres here.-
n He had his mind on the mining an'
o ike stock interest, and his sagacity Il
securing their patronage has been sui
A ficiently we'll indicated by the graf
v aud pork trade OF the Lake Shore sta
= ton here. Capt. A. q. Wells, forme
IT friend, who had just come out OF tn
n army. was associated with Mr.. g., i
d extending the branch road to Kalaml
n zoo, and has retained the partuershi
II since that time.
'e The completion OF Lake Shore cor
l. nection TO Kalamazoo brought us th
4 advantages OF the Blue aud Red line
4 which we're at once added to our pr
d yious facilities as competitors for Ka
X amazoo freights. The credit Of thi
q. belongs 10 Ransom Gardner.
/ He also conceived the idea OF at
II yancing the line to Grand Rapids, an
i the,proiect was at once pushed througl
AZ The name of the firm that built Il
road was Gross, Warner & Co., b'
n Mr.. Gardner was president OF the cor
"A pany that looked out for the wherewi
az Tor putting the road in shape. III
mr. road was built to Kalamazoo as co
at nection to the Michigan Southern. b'
n the bonds for ironing the road to Graz
he Rapids were guaranteed by Mr.. Jas.
a. Joy. with the hope of putting the roi
nd where he could control its manageme
I in the interest of the Central. ~
AT trains to Grind Rapids did run fro
,r- the Central depot here for a while.
7 Some reflections have been cast on NJ
mr. Gardner by Mr.. Joy for ultimately g
he ing the Grand Rapids extentlon In
he the hands OF tho Southern. We we
ilv informed about four years ago, ID,
VI gentleman whose knowledge and Iu
IL. ment in the matter, We consider. .
M biassed, that there was nothing in
y,s transaction in any way unfavorable
ras Mr.. Gardner's character. The Ks
ZEN mazoo, Allegan & Grand Rapids Ro
,;d was sold in open market TO the pa
lie. making the best offer.
ent Mr.. Gardner was engaged for n lit
pa time in building the Michigan Ii
DO. Shore Road, and even undertook
The Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Ro
h / which has been built from Gosh
the Ind, TO Anderson. Mr.. Gardner o
nd his partner, Capt Wells, finished I
ire road during these adverse circumst
aw- ces, a feat that speaks for their pei
zee. verance and good management.
Use Mr.. Gardner married Miss Olivia
use Smith. sister Of Mr.. B. T. Smith,
ST. Kalamazoo, at Jonesville, where
,ful was engaged in teaching. Their nc
nv was most of the time in Jonesville,
,en- cept a short time in Detroit and III
be- Rivers, till they removed here in i,
hat wher he was building the Gard
n a road" to this place. Besides the oi
uite investments OF which we have spoil
the Mr.. uardner owns extensive tracts
Iron wild lands. Himself and Capt. "
are sole owners of the @. W. a Nj. n
a.. He was also heavily interested in
~ III. II. Gardner Woolen Mills at 10
a,ar Vile, that failed last year. The Ia
nil difficulty was due to Detroit fail
.ha, in which the Jonesville company
=. = become interested without Ran
tbe Gardner's direction, and there Is 81
= 90 question whether he Is holden Tor
here Mr.. Gardner's home still rema
nsn. in kalamazoo, aud during his III
.;no he expressed great anxiety TO
back here for treatment.
There remains OF the family.
Gardner. his daughters, MrA Viii
AI.H