[p. 400] city attorney of New Castle, and a prominent citizen of Lawrence County, was born January 12, 1843, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, just across the Lawrence County line, on the old family homestead, and is a son of John and Jane (Vance) Gardner.
John Gardner the first, who was the great-grandfather of James A. Gardner, was born near Belfast, Ireland, and came to America soon after his marriage with Jane Anderson. He settled on a tract of land which was then included in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where he followed agricultural pursuits during the rest of his active life. He died aged ninety-three years. The estate came intact to his son, James Gardner, who resided on the place during his life, which covered ninety years. He married Catherine McComb and they had the following children: John, George W., William, Robert A., Mrs. Jane Stewart, Mrs. Martha Frazer, Mrs. Isabella Burnside, and Mrs. Eliza A. Frew.
John Gardner, son of James, and father of James A. Gardner, inherited that portion of the homestead that lay in Butler County. He engaged in farming and also followed the occupation of a drover. He did not survive into old age as did his father and grandfather, his death taking place when thirty-three years old. He married Jane Vance, who was born in 1820, and died in 1864. She was a daughter of James Vance of Lawrence County. They had five children: James A., John V., Mrs. Mima Gardner, Theodore L. and George R. The daughter is deceased.
James A. Gardner's education was acquired in the district and in select schools, and also at an academy, and after completing his literary studies he taught two terms of school. He was then eighteen years old. The Civil War had been precipitated and with youthful ardor and commendable patriotism, he hastened to enlist in the defense of his country from rebellion. On July 24, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Battery B, First Regiment of Artillery of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, which battery won fame as Cooper's Battery. It was first attached to the First Corps of the Army of the Potomac and later to the Fifth Corps. This battery took part in nine out of the twelve greatest battles of the Civil War, and had the record of losing more men in the service than any other volunteer battery. Mr. Gardner participated in the following battles: Dranesville, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Glendale or Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Gainesville, Groveton, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh's Crossing, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Po River, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Totopotomey, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, siege and capture of Petersburg, and Appomattox Court House. On June 9, 1865, Mr. Gardner was mustered out of the service with the rank of first lieutenant, having gained the same through personal bravery.
Following his return from the army, Mr. Gardner engaged in a mercantile business at Princeton, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a store for six years. He was a member of the School Board while residing there, and served as a justice of the peace, and it was his introduction to legal forms and procedure in this connection that created on his part a strong desire to study law. Accordingly, in 1875, he gave up his mercantile business and entered upon the study of law under Judge John McMichael and J. M. Martin, at New Castle. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania and immediately began the practice of his profession, opening an office at No. 136½ East Washington street, where he has remained. Mr. Gardner has handled a considerable share of the important legal business of Lawrence and neighboring counties. In 1883 he was first elected city attorney of New Castle and was re-elected in 1884 for a term of two years and again in 1896, and has been continued in the office ever since.
A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Gardner has taken a lively interest in public affairs, particularly those relating to the city, and served seven years as a member of the city council, and was four years president of the select council. He has served eight years as a member of the School Board and was its secretary seven years. He was a member of the convention that framed the act governing cities of the third class in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Gardner married Mary E. Frew, who is a daughter of David Frew, of Slippery Rock Township. They have four children, namely: David A., Flora M. (Vance), Nancy (Guenther) and John M. The family reside in a pleasant home at No. 50 Pearson street.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 16 Oct 2001