CHARLES F. GARDNER 

Charles F. Gardner, son of Zebulon and Mary (Reddish) Gardner, was born in Sacramento November 13, 1857. He was left an orphan at an early age. His oldest brother sent him to San Francisco to live with Mrs. David Meeker and remained with them some years, meanwhile commencing attendance at the public schools. In 1865 his brother sent him East, where he remained several years under the care of Rev. G.F. Tewksbury at Oxford, Maine, and Gorham, New Hampshire, and while there he attended the Oxford Normal Institute at Paris, Maine. When he had reached the age of fifteen years he returned to California, and took a position in the office of his brother Robert, who was State Surveyor-General. Two years later he went back East and commenced attendance at Phillips’ College, Andover, Massachusetts, where he was graduated in the centennial year of 1878. After vacation he entered Dartmouth College, but a short time later changed to Yale but was compelled to give up his studies, owing to the fact that he had used up the money he had saved while in the employ of his brother Robert. In December 1879 he again returned to California, and took a position with James W. Shanklin, Surveyor-General. Three years later, at the expiration of Mr. Shanklin’s term, he accepted a position in the Land Department of Northern Pacific Railroad, at Portland, Oregon. While in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, in July 1883 he received the appointment from President Arthur of Receiver of Public Money for the Sacramento Land Office, and served in that capacity until April 1888, when he was succeeded by a Democratic appointee of President Cleveland, since which time he has been practicing as a land attorney at Sacramento. Mr. Gardner is a member of Sacramento Parlor, No. 3, N.S.G.W., and of Court Sacramento, A.O.F. He is a member of Washington Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and a Scottish Rite Mason under the jurisdiction of the United States, Territories and dependencies. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Gardner was married in this city November 12, 1881, to Miss Alice L. daughter of Richard Parker, who came to Sacramento in 1853, and for many years kept the Parker House, corner of Tenth and K Streets. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have two children, viz.: Alice Mary and Bertha Reddish. Mr. Gardner is a young man of unusual attainments and business ability, and has already made a highly creditable record in life.

 

Transcribed by Debbie Gramlick.