Information

Benjamin Howard Gardner
Born: 1854 Died: 1947

As per info from the book: Pioneer Familys of Anderson County Prior to 1900:
He was born in Montgomery, Ala on June 10, 1854 and he met his wife, Caroline
Calhoun Bonner in Freestone Co, TX. They were married on 29 June 1881 and later
made Palestine their home. It is said that he was a man who never drank liquor,
smoked, dipped snuff or chewed tobacco, never played cards or gambled, but it
is said that sometimes he would ride to the courthouse to try a case, come out
and walk home without realizing the horse and buggy were still at the courthouse.
Judge Gardner "read" law in his brother's office, reading every book and treatise
on the law available. He learned so well that his answers confounded the Alabama
examining board when they granted his law license. Throughout his 93 years, Judge
Gardner was known as a man who loved the law and could not be "bought". To secure
his Texas law license in 1876, when he first came to Freestone County, he rode a
horse "not bridle-wise" 62 miles to Corsicana, spending the night along the way
in a barn hospitably offered him. The cost of this trip was $1.75 as he had two
apples for lunch in Corsicana and no supper. From this trip, however, was to come
financial security, esteem, and a long, happy life as a Texan and Palestinian.
While building his practice, odd jobs helped out. He was Freestone County Attorney
by appointment for one year and then won the job by election. Gardner discovered
during his campaign that the Democratic County Convention in Fairfield was disrupted
by Independents and Greenbackers. He proposed to the two local papers and other
candidates that the precinct conventions be turned into a primary election by the
signed agreement of all the candidates. It was agreed and the party was united by
what is believed to be the First Primary Election in Texas. After his marriage to
Miss Bonner, he persuaded his preacher father in law to run for County Treasurer
in Freestone County (preachers were not paid a living wage then). He acted as
campaign manager for Rev. Bonner and in his memoirs writes: "Billie Bonner was
pretty active for Rev. Bonner at several gatherings and did, more or less, treating
at the Lemonade Stands!" His father in law was elected. Though Gardner exerted all
his efforts to secure railroad service for Fairfield, his efforts failed. He was
running the National Bank in Fairfield when it burned, so he decided to move to
Palestine in 1892. In partnership with Burnett and Webb he began his law practice.
For eight years he served as District Judge of 3rd Judicial District. Appointed to
the Texas Supreme Court as Chairman of the Examining Board, he held this appointment
until he resigned after fourteen years. Benjamin and "Carrie" had eight children:
Harriet Lucile Gardner, Annie Joe Gardner, Bonner Gardner, Willie Pearl Gardner,
Flossie Belle Gardner, Mattie-Cad Gardner, Luella Posey Gardner, & Benjamin H.
Gardner, Jr. Judge Gardner died in April 1947.