St. Landry democrat., 1891-08-01
JOHN Il. GARDINER,

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Capt. Gardiner was born in Charles county
Maryland, A. ID. 1911. His ancestors were Eng
| llsll. They are said to have arrived in Amerci
| ana to nave settled in that State, contemp0y
aneously with Lord Baltimore, eDdearinSl,
| called Ill his day the father of Maryland. HI
was placed at common primary school wher
| he remained until about fifteen years old whel
| he entered Georgetown College in the Distric
| OF Columbia. We know nothing of lis habits
| OF study and progress in learning While there
| but are Informed that he remained there unit
| he completed his educational career. At thu
age OF twenty-five he came to this parish QS36l
| and purchased the property on which he LIVED
| and died, near Grand COteau. Here he devoted
| MS attention to farming in a quiet, systematic
| and frugal manner.
| In 1882 at the age Of forty-One wears he mar
| ried Miss Augusta Mcpherson, one of the
| daughters of Samuel c. Mcpherson, who emf
grated to St. Landry about the same time with
several adnlrable families. From this mari
age eight children were born-four sons and
four daughters
In politics he was wing, one of the old type
OF whom the party was justly proud.
Dranch or the Legislature, and was reelected i'll
lS49. His career as a representative was salts
factory to the people OF ST. Landry.
He preferred the quiet pursuits OF farm life to
the excitement OF politics, and accordingly re-
sumed the Improvement of his plantation.
When Gov. John McEnery was elected, he was
appointed tax collector of the parish.
In 1852 he took an active part in promoting
the call of constitutional convention, and was
ardent i'll his support of the then projected New
orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Rail
road, since completed and now known as the
Morgan, Texas and Pacific Railroad We have
not the space to enulneratc with particularly
each and all of the public and useful enterprises
Ill winch ne took All active part. 1t sutiices to
Judgment, he always gave his support in a
practical manner, to any work which promised
good results. He never specialized on, mere
possibilities, but acted promptly in whatever
nafJ JtIa
Whatever he found to do, was done for the good
he saw in it.
He never courted applause, and it NAV be
sald lie was TO some extent indifferent to it. but
me uniformly calm and dignied tenor of his
life was such as to deserve it, and with this he
cOntented himself.
He was a Christian man, whose faith was
untainted by illiheraity. He was a model citi
zen, husband and father Was the soul Of
honor and could always be relied on in what
ever he said or undertook. His general health
remained good until about one month before he
His eyes failed, and for long time he saw
very lmperfectly. This, of course, compelled
him to fOregO the pleasure OF going about among
nus nelghnors and he lived i'll retirement, devot-
ing his time to reflection. His affections ex-
panded in his solieitude. His heart was with
his family; his pride was in his children that
surrounded him, aud all was quiet and content
ment.
Always delighted to have mis- neichbors and
friends call to see him, he enjoyed their visits
and welcomed them under his hospitable roof.
bout one month before his death, he was pro
stfated ny dysentery. Medical aid was called
N, but nothing was found to afford relief. and
It's progress was unchecked until on Saturday.
July 18th, at the hour of sp. H., he passed
l liu e and resignedy away surrounded by
MS ms, ia,llly ana friends. He was IA member of |
jhe Roman Catholic church and closed his
earthly career in an abiding faith in the suffici
,ncy OF Christs atonement. and the mercy of
lis Maker Unfortunately for us, we have not
lis entire life was an example of honor. recti-
ude, ana temperance, which all of lis may well
'ccept as type worthy of ambitious imitation.
: 81 !. US Ieel grateful for the kind proongation
i 1t to the age of eighty years.
me writer feels that it the spirits of departed
flendsl are ever permitted to return and hover
Unseen about the loved ones they leave behind
mem, That or the Hon. John 1. Gardiner will
evisit St. Landry from its celestial home. and
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