Ralph Jeremiah Gardner1

b. 18 December 1868, d. 3 July 1949
FatherCaleb Graham Gardner2,3 b. 20 Feb 1838, d. 23 Feb 1915
MotherOlivia Ann Smith2,3 b. 22 Dec 1846, d. 26 Aug 1933
Birth18 Dec 1868 Ralph Jeremiah Gardner was born on 18 Dec 1868 in a log cabin on a short branch of the Brazos River off present day E. Bridge St. in Granbury, Hood County, Texas. Ralph was the first white child born in Hood County.4,3 
Childhood  He was the eldest of 8 children, although not all survived childhood. Ralph's father was born in southwest Virginia, but migrated to Texas with other family members between 1850 and 1860. 
  Ralph's parents moved to land closer to the town of Acton. It is thought Ralph attended the local Acton School. He later attended a college at Glen Rose following which he obtained a teaching certificate at the college later known as San Houston State University. Ralph then returned to Hood County to teach.4 
Marriage1899 He married Lillian Holmes in 1899.4 
  Ralph retired from teaching and bought a farm on the Brazos River. He also became the county agent. His responsibilities included riding his horse and buggy around the county and consulting with farmers about their crops.

Ralph and Lillian became the parents of 2 children during these years, although Lillian's 1910 census entry indicates she gave birth to an additional child who did not survive.4,5,6 
  In 1917 Ralph and Lillian gave up farming and moved to Everman just outside Ft. Worth in Tarrant County. Ralph briefly worked in the grocery business and as a ticket agent on a local commuter railway. Daughter Mary also married during this period.4 
Cens-192024 Feb 1920  Ralph and Lillian's 1920 household included Mary and her husband Grady Jones as well as Ralph and Lillian's 11 year old son Ralph Jr. Ralph Sr. was employed by a furniture company.7 
Cens-19302 Apr 1930  Lillian died before April 1930. At that time 60 year old Ralph, described as widowed, was listed as the head of a household at 3913 East 1st St in Ft. Worth. He owned his home, which was valued at $5,000, and continued to work at the furniture factory. Daughter Mary and her husband Grady Jones were again members of the household, as was their 4 year old son Grady Jr.8 
Marriageafter 1930 Ralph married second Mabel (?) after 1930.1 
  Ralph's sister Margaret Donathan remembered him as a quiet, reserved man whose motto was "Do Right."4 
Death3 Jul 1949 Ralph died on 3 Jul 1949 in Dallas, Texas, at age 80.3 
Burial He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Ft. Worth, Texas.3,1 
  Ralph's death certificate indicated that his usual residence at the time of his death was the town of Irving in Dallas County. This probably indicates he continued to make his home with Mary and Grady who are known to have settled in Irving. 

Family

Lillian Holmes b. Sep 1874, d. bef 1930
Children
ChartsDescendants of Jeremiah Gardner and Margaret Edmiston
Last Edited30 Aug 2013

Citations

  1. [S2945] Robert Gardner research, 2881 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, California, 95051, email to: e-mail address.
  2. [S1555] Graham Gardner household, 1880 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop sched., 4th Justice District, ED 144, page 48 (stamped), dwelling 24, family 20, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 3 of 12. Enumeration includes: Graham Gardner, 41, farmer, b. VA, father b. NY, mother b. VA; Olivia, 33, b. Alabama, father b. NC, mother b. Ga; Ralph __, 11, son; Walter __, 8, son; David G., 5, son; Samuel T., 1, son; all children b. TX, all children's father b. NY, mother b. NC [this was actually the birth place of children's father's father and mother's father].
  3. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed Jul 2012). Ralph J. Gardner certificate #32582 (digital image); family information provided by Grady Jones.
  4. [S2945] Robert Gardner research, 2881 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, California, 95051, email to: e-mail address ; Mr. Gardner cites an article titled "First White Baby Also First Agent" written by Phyliss DeRoos for the June 2, 1977 issue of the Hood County News. Ms DeRoos interviewed Margaret (Gardner) Donathan [1884-1981], daughter of Caleb Gardner and Oliva (Smith) Gardner, for the article.
  5. [S1556] R. Gardner household, 1900 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Ohio, pop. sched., ED 95, sheet 1A (p. 282 stamped), dwelling 8, family 8, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2006, image 1 of 30. Enumeration includes: R. Gardner, 31, b. Dec. 1868 TX, marr 1 yr, farmer, father b. VA, mother b. AL; Lilliam, wife, 25, b. Sept. 1874 SC, marr 1 yr, mother 1 child who is living; Mary Ela, dau, 4/12, b. Jan. 1900 TX, father b. TX, mother b. NC.
  6. [S1557] Ralph Gardner household, 1910 U.S. cens., Hood Co., Texas, pop. sched., Precinct 1, ED 35, sheet 2B, dwelling 27, family 29, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2012. Enumeration includes: Ralph Gardner, 41, marr #1, marr 11 years, dairy farmer, owns farm, b. TX, father b. VA, mother b. AL; Lillian, wife, 35, marr #1, marr 11 yrs, mother 3 children, 2 are living; Mary E., dau, 10, b. TX; R.J. Jr., 1 4/12, b. TX.
  7. [S2971] Ralph Gardner household, 1920 U.S. cens., Tarrant Co., Texas, pop. sched., Precinct 4, ED 164, sheet 14A (p. 204 stamped), dwelling 277, family 279, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2012. Household includes: Ralph Gardner, 50, b. TX, father b. VA, mother b. AL, laborer for furniture co., Lilliam, wife, 44, b. NC; Grady Jones, son-in-law, 21; Mary E. Jones, dau, 19; R.J. Jr. son, 11; home is farm.
  8. [S2970] Ralph J. Gardner household, 1930 U.S. cens., Tarrant Co., Texas, pop. sched., Ft. Worth, ED 220-76, sheet 182 stamped, dwelling 29, family 30, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2012. Household includes: Ralph J. Gardner, 60, widowed, owns home, valued at $5,000, 25 at first marriage, owns radio, b. TX, father b. VA, mother b. AL, laborer in furniture factory; Grady Jones, son-in-law, 32, first marr at 25, b. TX, father b. TN, mother b. TX, superintendant at flour mill; Mary E., dau, 30, marr at 23, b. TX, parents b. TX; Grady M., grandson, 4 10/12 b. TX; resid at 3913 East First St.
  9. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed Jul 2012). Mary Eba Jones certificate #29762 (digital image); family information provided by Grady Jones.
  10. [S2250] "Texas State Death Certificates", database with digital images, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed Jul 2012). Ralph J. Gardner Jr. certificate #23515 (digital image); family information provided by Mrs. Ralph J. Gardner, Jr.