Son of Moses Baumgarner Sr. from Germany, shortly after arrival the name was changed to Moses Baum Garner. After their son's birth, they moved to Southern Illinois. The senior Garner was active in community affairs. Both of the Senior Garners where struck down in the Cholera Plague of 1851.
Left an orphan, Moses made his own way at an early age, raised on the Illinois farm and educated in country schools. He was a pony express rider, deputy sheriff, later county sheriff.

On Aug. 25, 1850, in McLeansboro, IL., 15 yr. old Hannah Hulda Heard married Moses B. Garner, the county sheriff in Hamilton County, IL.

Moses and Hannah's children were:
1. Mary Frances 'Fanny' Garner, b. Oct. 14, 1851 in McLeansboro, Hamilton County, IL. and d. Nov. 5, 1935 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Fanny marr. James Wesley Swing.
2. Lucy Celeste Garner, b. Sep. 20, 1853 in McLeansboro, Hamilton, IL. and d. Apr. 21, 1924 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. Lucy marr. Henry 'Harry' T. Bryant.
3. Margaret 'Maggie Garner, b. Feb. 21, 1856 in McLeansboro, Hamilton, IL. and d. Mar. 16, 1898 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co. CA. Maggie marr. John Henry Barton.
4. William Charles Garner, b. Jun. 17, 1859 in McLeansboro, Hamilton County, IL. and d. Sep. 9, 1931 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. (or San Bernardino, CA.)
5. Robert Franklin Garner, b. Nov. 27, 1860 (1862) in McLeansboro, Hamilton, IL. and d. Nov. 9, 1930 in San Bernardino City, San Bernardino, CA.
6. Jennie Elizabeth Garner, b. Oct. 21, 1864 in Lytle Creek, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Oct. 30, 1961 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. Jennie marr. Elias Newton Leamaster.
7. Emma Maude Garner, b. March 15, 1869 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Sep. 12, 1888 in San Bernardino County, CA.
8. John Thompson Garner, b. Sep. 15, 1871 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Aug. 24, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA.
9. Sarah Garner, b. abt. 1874 in San Bernardino County, CA.
10. Florence Katherine Garner, b. Mar. 20, 1875 in San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Jan. 24, 1971 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. Florence marr. Frederick William Park.
11. Joseph Allen Garner, b. Dec. 20, 1877 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Nov.
17, 1890 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.

In 1861, Moses sold her inheritance and his property and with 5 children set out for Montana where gold had been discovered. The Moses Garner family settled in Virginia City where Mr. Garner entered into a partnership with a Mr. Storey in a gold mine. He also built and managed a hotel in Virginia City and both proved profitable. The life was rough and the severe winter climate soon took its toll on Mr.Garner's health.
Selling his interests in Montana they arrived in Los Angeles in 1864, later coming on to San Bernardino.

In the Aug. 20, 1870 U. S. census, 40 yr. old Moses Garner, a farmer, b. in IL., was living in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with his
36 yr. old (inferred) wife, Hannah Garner, keeping house, b. in IL.
18 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Mary F Garner, attending school, b. in IL.
*The census states that Mary F. Garner was married in October of the previous year.
16 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Lucy C Garner, attending school, b. in IL.
14 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Maggie Garner, attending school, b. in IL.
10 yr. old (inferred) son, Robert Garner, b. in IL.
5 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Jane Garner, b. in CA.
1 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Emma Garner, b. in CA.
12 yr. old (inferred son) William Garner, attending school, b. in CA.
Moses' real estate was valued at $1,000 and his personal estate at $400.

In the 1880 U. S. census, 52 yr. old M. B. Garner, a butcher and farmer, b. in IL., was living at 86 'D' St. in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with his
45 yr. old wife, Hanna Garner, keeping house, b. in IL.
23 yr. old daughter, Lucy Garner, b. in IL.
22 yr. old son, William Garner, a butcher and farmer, b. in IL.
19 yr. old son, Robert Garner, b. in IL.
13 yr. old daughter, Jennie Garner, b. in CA.
11 yr. old daughter, Emma Garner, b. in CA.
8 yr. old son, John Garner, b. in CA.
6 yr. old daughter, Sarah Garner, b. in CA.
4 yr. old son, Joseph Garner, b. in CA.
Moses' parents were both b. in NC.
Hanna's father was b. in TN. and her mother in IL.

In 1887 and 1890, M.B. Garner was listed on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of San Bernardino. In 1892 and 1894, he was listed as the Vice-President.

In 1888, M. B. Garner was listed as a County Supervisor.

The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Sat., Sep. 15, 1888
Card of Thanks
Mr. M. B. Garner and family wish to tender their thanks to their friends who aided them during the illness of the late Miss Emma Garner, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Garner. Thanks are especially tendered to Mr. S. A. Purdy.

In the Jun. 14, 1900 U. S. census, 72 yr. old Moses Garner, a farmer, b. Jan. 1828 in IL., was living in a rented home on 7th St., south side in San Bernardino Ward 2, San Bernardino, CA. with his
65 yr. old wife, Hannah M. Garner, b. Jan. 1835 in IL.
42 yr. old divorced son, William C Garner, a stock broker, b. May 1858 in IL.
30 yr. old daughter, Florence K Park, b. Apr. 1870 in CA.
28 yr. old son-in-law, Frederick W Park, a locomotive engineer, b. May 1872 in MI.
65 yr. old widowed boarder, Charles Revel, a bar keeper, b. Jan. 1835 in England
1 yr. old grandson, Gordon W. Park , b. Dec. 1898 in CA.
Moses and Hannah had been married for 50 years.
Hannah was the mother of 10 children, only 7 still alive by this census.
Florence had Frederick had been married for 3 years.
Florence was the mother of one child, still alive by this census.
Moses' parents were both b. in NC.
Hannah's parents were both b. in IL.

The Evening Transcript (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 1, Col. 4
Sat., Sep. 1, 1900
MOSES B. Garner Dies After a Brave Struggle For Life.
ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE VALLEY
Fought His Way Through the Indians On the Plains.
At 10 o’clock this morning another of the aged and prominent pioneers of San Bernardino passed to the “beyond,” M. B. Garner. The deceased had long been troubled with derangement of the kidneys and, about a month ago, was attacked with an acute form of his ailment which compelled him to take his bed. All that medical skill and kind and attentive nursing could do was rendered the afflicted patient, but all in vain; he rapidly grew worse until death ended his suffering, and a long, busy and useful life.
Moses B. Garner was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, Jan. 8, 1828. His father was a native of North Carolina and the deceased was one of a family of nine children. He lived with his parents on a farm until 17 years of age, when he went out in the world to struggle for himself.
At the age of 22 he married Miss Hannah M. Heard, who has lived to mourn the loss of a companion whole helpmate she had been for a half century. They were joined in the native county of both and settled in Elizabethtown, in Hardin county, Illinois, and afterwards lived in White and Clay counties of that state.
In 1864 Mr. Garner determined to emigrate with his family to the far west and made the journey across the plains from St. Joseph, Missouri.
The civil war was at that time in progress, and the United States troops had necessarily been withdrawn from the western outposts. This exposed the train with which the Garners made the long journey to great danger from hostile Indians. They had many narrow escapes. Trains that had preceded them and followed them were attacked, and many emigrants were murdered and robbed. The deceased stopped a year at Virginia City, Nevada, and then proceeded with his family to California, locating in San Bernardino in the latter part of 1865, where he remained until his death. Here he first engaged in farming and stock raising, of which he made a success. Afterwards he established a butchering and market business, which was also a marked success.
For six years he was a member of the board of supervisors of San Bernardino county, representing the Fifth district. In that capacity he was a true and faithful public servant. Conscientious discharge of duty and clear and wise forethought were manifest in all his official work.
The deceased leaves surviving, besides the most estimable bereaved companion, seven children, all of whom hold prominent position in social and business circles where they reside, Mary, the widow of the late James Swing; Lucy, wife of H. T. Bryant’ William C., Robert F. and John T., all reside in this city. Jennie, the wife of E. N. Lanmaster, division superintendent of the Pullman Palace Car company, resides at Kansas City. Florence is the wife of Fred Park of this city. Mary, who was the wife of John Barton, and Emma, the youngest born and a 13-year old son are dead.
He was a man of sterling honesty, frank, open and sincere. He had no church affiliation, but was an old and active ember of Phoenix Lodge No. 178 F. and A.M., of this city, and tomorrow his brethren of the mystic tie will vast emblems of the hope to meet him again, in the grave of their departed brother.
The funeral will occur between A and Waterman avenue, at 3 o’clock p.m. tomorrow. There will be religious services, conducted by Rev. J. F. G. Finley, and the remains will be consigned to dust at the new cemetery with Masonic honors.

The Weekly Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 1, Col. 5
Fri., Oct. 5, 1900
At the regular communication of Phoenix Lodge, No. 178, F. and A.M., held last evening, the committee appointed to draw up resolutions of fraternal love and respect to the memory of Moses B. Garner, handed in the following report:
To the W.M., Officers and Brethren of Phoenix Lodge, No. 178, F. and A.M.:
Brother Moses B. Garner came to California early in 1865, from the state of Illinois; his life has heretofore been contemporary with the growth and development of this county and particularly in this city, in which he has resided continuously since that time.
Possessed of those sterling virtues of thrift and unswerving integrity, he early took place among the few men who have been of real value to the prosperity of this region.
While never an aspirant for public office he was frequently called to posts of responsibility and honor in which places his calm judgment and high sense of honor have been repeatedly approved.
His record as a citizen is clean and open, a quiet life well lived.
As a Mason he found profit in the practical application of those exalted principles on which masonry is founded. His was ever a welcome presence in the lodge where he keenly appreciated the fellowship of his brethren of the order.
Brother Garner closed the years of a well-rounded life attended by the tender ministries of wife and children in the seventy-third year of his age, respected as a neighbor and citizen, and loved as a husband and father.
“His was a square and honored life, A calm and fearless death, And his, we trust, a Rest from toil let free, And home. Brother, hail and farewell!”
As therefore our beloved brother has been removed from our midst by death, therefore be it.
Resolved, That in the death of Moses B. Garner, Phoenix Lodge has lost one of it esteemed and valued members, and this community one of its most useful and upright citizens. That we extend to the widow and children of the deceased our sincere sympathy in this, their sad bereavement. That as an evidence of our esteem, and in perpetuation of his memory, these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this lodge, and a copy delivered to the family of said deceased. - H.C. Rolfe, W. J. Curtis, Sydney Waite, Committee.