Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-02-03
HONOR
To Geo. r. Gardner.
rlemorial Proceedings Held in the
Cir uit Court of Wood County,
Tuesday, February, Est.

A special meeting of the Circuit Courl
for Wood county was held at the court
house in this city on Tuesday evening,
Feb. l, at which time memorial services
were conducted in honor Of the late
Hon. Geo. r. Gardner, of Grand Rapids
Attorney Geo l.. Williams, in behali
of the committee previously appointed
for the purpose, reported the following
emorial and resolutions:
MEMORIAL OF THE WOOD COUNTY BAR.
Death has invaded our circle and
taken from us one of our most cherished,
honored and respected members; one
beloved by his neiehbors and associates
and distinguished in all his walks OF
life, and an ornament to our profession.
1t seems most fitting and proper on
such an occasion that we should pause
in our daily pursuits, lay aside the de-
mands of business, contemplate the
character of our brother who has for
many years gone in and out among us.
and make and record suitable tribute
to his memory.
George Ransom Gardner departed this
life at his residence in Grand Rapids,
after brief illness of scarcely two days,
on Monday evening, December 20, 1897.
He was born at Horseheads, Chemung
County, New York, on the 10Th day OF
January, 1887. Much of his early life
was spent on farm, and in gaining a
liberal education. He first came to Wis
consin in 1856, and spent about two wears
in Columbia County, working during
the summers and teaching school dur
ing winters. His early life in these
respects was typical of the American
boy. He returned to New York state
in 1858, and continued working on his
parents farm until August II, 1861,
when be enlisted in the 4Sth New York
Regiment. He lost his right arm DUR
ing the charge upon Fort Wagner on
July IS, 1863. He returned home, and
after regaining his health, began the
study of law in the office ofJudge Rood
at Watkins, and on May Is 1867, was
admitted to practice in the Suprem
Court of New York at BinghamptOn.
After his admission, he entered into
partnership with Judge Rood, and con-
tinued in the practice Of his profession
at Watkins until June, 1870, when he
removed to Missouri and opened law
office at Breckenridge in Caldwell
County, where he continued for about
two years. The climate and surround
ings in Caldwell County were not to his
liking, he returned to Wisconsin, was
united in marriage to Rachel Delanv of
Poynette, Columbia County, and soon
thereafter, in March, 1873, settled in the
city of Grand Rapids, and commenced
the practice of bis chosen porfession.
During the almost quarter of a CEN
tury residence of Mr. Gardner in Wood
County, bis neighbors delighted to honor
him by comforting upon hiH many of
the most important civil and political
trusts; aside from mayor of his adopted
city, and other minor offices which he
held during his life, he was District At
tornev of Wood County from December
1878 to Jaunary 1876. He was appointed
County Judge in December 1876, and
served until January l, 1878 He was
again appointed to the same office in
October, 1879 and was elected for the
full term in 1881, serving until January
|, 1886 At the election in the fall of
1882, he was elected member of assem-
bly, from this County, and during the
session of 1888, was one of the most
active and energetic workers in that
body. He, at all times, took great in
terest in educational matters and dur
ing nearly the whole of his residence
here, and up to the time of his death
he was member of the Board of Ed
ucation of his adopted city. In all of the
public positions which he WAS called up
on to fill, he was ever faithful, pains
taking and watchful of the rights of
others intrusted to his keeping.
For nearly twenty years he was the
senior member of the firm of Gardner
and Gaynor, and was engaged in the
greater part of the important litigation
of this section of the state Ofa strong
mind and bright intellect, Thoroughly
grounded in the principles of the law,
and possessed ofa modest thought ready
and forcible manner of expressing his
ideas, he was convincing advocate,
dangerous to his opponents. and sure
and safe anchor for his client Thor
oughly truthful and conscientious in
his own life, he sought only for truth
and the triumph of right in the cause
of his clients.
In his arguments in court, he was
careful, accurate, and exhaustive. His
manner was earnest, serious, and also
conslderate and respectful, and We bear
in kindly remembrance the pleasure
satisfaction and advantage which we
derived from our personal and profess
ional intercourse with him, and the
| benefit the bar has received as whole
on account of his attainments as law
yer, aud his personal integrity and
example. He was very modest and un-
obtrusive, of cheerful and social turn,
and mind well stored with informa-
ton. He was an agreeable and enter