Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-13
Hon. William Sewell Gardiner

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The recent death Of Judge Gardiner. late
Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court OF
Massachusetts, would seem TO call for a
fuller notice in your columns than has been
given to it, from the fact that this destiu-
guished jurist was son of Maine, born and
reared in our own immediate vicinity, edu-
Gated at Brunswick, and of lineage con-
spicuousy and worthy identified with the
history of our city, State and county. The
tons of learning, the judiciary and the po-
ltical and business circles of Maine, has
ever been an influential and honored one.
As grandson of Gen Henry Sewell of Au-
gusta, the sturdy revolutionary and christian
editor, whose grand personality is still re-
membered by our older citizens, Judge
Gardiner inherited and illustrated in an emf
nent degree i'll his character and career. many
of the most starting traits of his remarkable
ancestry. The strong testimony of profess
sional associates TO his great ability in the
discharge of official duty, and the spontaneous
tributes of personal affection. from many
sources, to the sweetness and purity of his
private life, are sufficient assurance that
the legacy of mental and moral excellence,
transmitted through many generations, has
not been wasted or misused by him its latest
and honored representation, who has now
10 lal TO- aplar his faithful ST "A.
ship. The record and the memory of such a
life is a public benefaction. Will you please
give place to the following brief biographical
notice and oblige many friends and readers
of the Journal:
Hon William Sewell Gardner Ex-Judge
of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massa-
chusetts. died on the 4th inst, at his resi-
dence in Newton. He was obliged to retire
from the bench about year ago on account
of i'll health, resulting in nervous prostration.
Mr. Gardner visited Europe, but returned
little improved, and since then has been
gradually failing.
Born in Hallowell Me, Oct. /, 1927. a
descendant on the maternal side of the noted
family of Sewalls, William 5. Gardner
inherited many of the strong traits that were
prominent in the characters of his ancestors
He entered Bowdoin College in 1876, having
among his classmates Gen. o. o. Howard
L. $. A., Hon. William p. Frye, of
Maine and Prof. c. c. Everett of
Cambridge and, after graduating, entered
upon the study of law in Lowell. In 1852
he was admitted to the Bar in Middlesex
county, opened an Office in Lowell in 1858.
Two years later he entered into partnership
1 -,
1861 the firm removed its Offices to Boston.
The connection between the two lawyers
continued until Mr. Gardners appointment to
the Bench in 1875, when Gov. Castor nomi-
mated him to the Justiceshp of the Superior
Court. The position was unsought by Mr..
Gardner, but whea taken was sustained with
dignity and honor. In this court he remained
until Oct. |, 1855 (his birthday when he was
promoted to a seat in the Supreme judicial
Court. Gov Robinson having nominated him
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Judge Waldo Cohurn Judge Gardner never
engaged actively in politics, devoting his time
assiduously to his judicial duties and to liter
arv pleasures and throughout his career as a
Judge he maintained zealously the high
standard he had established at the beginning
of his course Last September failing health
compelled him to send in his resignation, and
in accepting it Gov. Ames took occasion to
teu6er him in behalf of the Commonwealth
the sympathy of all her citizens ON account
of his continued illness, and their regret that
he was compelled TO reliIquish Il position in
its judicial department which he had faith
fully, ably and honorably discharged for a
period of II years with great benefit and
credit to the State.
In Masonic circles Judge Gardner held