Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-17
STUBBED HIS ZOE.
How Leonard Gardeners Misfortune
Became a BoOn--A Yankee CaIcu-
laUor's Astonishing Achievements In
Matthews ate s -- Perseverance in Sci
entific Research by a w0rkfngman.

laIOr's Astonishing Achievements In
Math ems les -- Perseverance in Sci
entific Research by a W0rkfngman.
We read that "blessing come in
Disguise" and it is often the subject Of
comment what small events will
sometimes change the current of
mans life. Events often transpire
which are considered the direst mis-
fortunes, but which subsequently
prove beneficial in the highest degree
to the recipient. When, therefore,
Leonard Gardner, an humble box
maker In LIQUIDS mill, South Wey>
mouth, kicked nail keg to demolish
it, and drove a file deeply into his
foot, in 1049, he thought that it was
great misfortune. So, in fact, it was,
physically considered, no doubt; but
the quiet confinement necessary for q
successful nursing Of the wounded
member gave his active mind chance
to play, and he began, more for
amusement than for any practical re-
suits which he expected to derive
from it, the study OF trigonometry.
The result has been remarkable.
But to clearly understand the charac,
ter and magnitude of the work &C
conplished, and the apparently in
surmountable difficulties overcome. it
will be necessary to review the life of
the subject of this sketch.
Leonard Gardner is a hale and
hearty old man, who has outspanned
mans allotted three score years and
ten by six years. He was born In
that portion Of South bingham known
as Gardner street, July IS, 1909. His
father was farmer, and young Gard
ner early applied himself to the mans
ual labor of the farm.
His educational advantages consist
ed in attending, as he graphically des-
cribed it, "a $500 schooI-house Ia the
summer, and $500 one In the winter"
His winter teacher was master of a
fishing schooner, and spent the sum-
mer in mackerel fishing. He attended
school until he was IA, when his SER
vices were required permanently about
the farm, and his schooling days were
over.
His love for mathematics led him at
The age of 10 to purchase copy of
Flint's surveying" He applied himS
self eagerly to the mastery Of the ele-
ment> Of geometry and trigonometry,
studying evenings by the ftful glare
OF q tallow candle Oftentimes the
hours thus diligently occupied passed
unnoticed, until his mother would re-
mind him that she had better blow
the candle out and go right to bed, as
he could never do that sum-" He
persevered, however, until he mas
tered trgonometry.
In 1916 Mr.. Gardner moved with
his family to Nash's corner, South
Weymouth, and went to work in
LIQUIDS box mill. He has since con-
tlnued to reside in this vicinity, and
lived happily with the partner Of his
joys until her decease, about three
years ago.
In 1S49, while at this mill one day,
he kicked at an empty nail-keg and
severely wounded his foot. While
confined to the house he first conceiv-
ed the idea Of computing the eclipse
of the sun which was to occur Ia 1854.
He commenced the work and prosecu-
ted it his leisure and evenings until its
final completion in 1858.
During the progress of this work
Mr.. Gardner frequently visited Bos-
ton bookstore and purchased from
time to time various works to assist
him in his computation.
The curiosity Of the book dealer was