LeRoy George Gardner was born 25 March 1890 in Merrill, Aroostook, Maine, the only child of Alice Mae Gardner and Wellington Brown. His parents were never married.
Note: It was an open secret that Wellington was the father of LeRoy, as family members would state that the father was never named, but two half-sisters of LeRoy's are named on his obituary (below), Mrs Mona (Brown) Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Tab (Brown) Collier of Oakfield.
There is a family story that when LeRoy was born, he was so small, he fit into a shoebox and was not expected to survive. He lived to be 78 years old.
The 1900 U.S. Census finds LeRoy living in the house where he was born, with his mother, Alice; his grandparents and his Aunt Bertha.
LeRoy attended school in Smyrna Mills and completed the 2nd year of High School, as stated on the 1940 U. S. Census. He continued to live with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha until his marriage, due to the death of his mother, Alice pm 11 May 1901. LeRoy was 11 years old at the time. This is reflected in the 1910 U. S. Census, where LeRoy can be found in Merrill, with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha.
On 23 Apr 1913, LeRoy married Nancy Ella Gerald. She was the daughter of Orrin F. and Rose Ellen (Gerald) Gerald of Stacyville, Penobscot, Maine. She was working as a live-in housekeeper for the Lewis Levitt family in Smyrna Mills. As both LeRoy and Nancy were Methodists that attended the Smyrna Method Church, you wonder if that might have been where they met. The young couple would move into the Gardner family home and remain in Merrill their entire lives.
The young couple's first born child, son Herbert Leroy, was born in1914, followed quickly by his sister Elmira Ellen in 1915. The year 1916 saw the tragic birth and death of the couple's 2nd son, John Henry, who died during childbirth. 1917 brought the birth of their second daughter, Alice May, named for LeRoy's late mother. She, sadly, would only live to be 16 months old, passing away on Christmas Day in 1918. August 23, 1919 saw the birth of the couple's 5th child, daughter Sophronia Martha.
The 1920 U.S. Census finds the young family living in Merrill, with their three living children. Born shortly after the census was taken was the couple's 6th child, daughter Flora Alice, on 7 Sep 1920.
1922 saw the birth of the family's 7th child, daughter Eloise Shirley, followed in 1923 by the birth of their 3rd son and 8th child, John Henry. The 9th and final child of the couple, Mattie Pearson, was born on 14 Oct 1924. This complete family can be found, still living in the Gardner home in Merrill on the 1930 U. S. Federal Census. The 1940 U. S. Federal Census find the family still in Merrill, but with only 6 children at home. Their daughter, Flora Alice was living in Mapleton, Aroostook Co., with the Hardley Boutiller family, as a live-in housekeeper.
LeRoy worked many different jobs during his lifetime; Mill Wright and his grandfather's and great-Uncle's Lumber Mill, farmer on his Grandfather's farm and Janitor at the local High School. But the job he did the longest, was as Justice of the Peace of Merrill, Aroostook County. He was well known in this profession, and there are many stories told about his tenure as a judge.
LeRoy would be left a widower in 1958, with the death of his beloved wife, Nancy. Ten years later, in 1968, he would join her in death. Both are buried in the Gardner family lot in Merrill Cemetery.
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OBITUARY
Retired Judge LeRoy G. Gardner, 78 formerly a trial justice for 35 years, died at his home in Merrill on December 19 after a long illness.
Judge Gardner was born at Merrill on March 25, 1890 and was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gardner, also of Merrill. He was a member of the Smyrna Methodist Church and was a lay leader for the past six years. He was also a charter member of Mattawamkeag Lodge IOOF.
Surviving are two sons, Herbert L. of Orlando, Florida and John H. of Atlanta, Georgia; five daughters, Miss E. Ellen Gardner and Miss Sophronia Gardner, both of Merrill, Mrs. Flora Bliven of Wayne, Michigan, Mrs Eloise Clampffer of Philadelphia and Mrs Mattie Simpson of Hampton Highlands, two half-sisters, Mrs Mona Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Lloyd Collier of Oakfield, 14 grand children, one great-grandchild and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted December 22 from the Smyrna Methodith Church with Rev. A.T. Norton, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the family lot in the Merrill cemetery.
Note: It was an open secret that Wellington was the father of LeRoy, as family members would state that the father was never named, but two half-sisters of LeRoy's are named on his obituary (below), Mrs Mona (Brown) Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Tab (Brown) Collier of Oakfield.
There is a family story that when LeRoy was born, he was so small, he fit into a shoebox and was not expected to survive. He lived to be 78 years old.
The 1900 U.S. Census finds LeRoy living in the house where he was born, with his mother, Alice; his grandparents and his Aunt Bertha.
LeRoy attended school in Smyrna Mills and completed the 2nd year of High School, as stated on the 1940 U. S. Census. He continued to live with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha until his marriage, due to the death of his mother, Alice pm 11 May 1901. LeRoy was 11 years old at the time. This is reflected in the 1910 U. S. Census, where LeRoy can be found in Merrill, with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha.
On 23 Apr 1913, LeRoy married Nancy Ella Gerald. She was the daughter of Orrin F. and Rose Ellen (Gerald) Gerald of Stacyville, Penobscot, Maine. She was working as a live-in housekeeper for the Lewis Levitt family in Smyrna Mills. As both LeRoy and Nancy were Methodists that attended the Smyrna Method Church, you wonder if that might have been where they met. The young couple would move into the Gardner family home and remain in Merrill their entire lives.
The young couple's first born child, son Herbert Leroy, was born in1914, followed quickly by his sister Elmira Ellen in 1915. The year 1916 saw the tragic birth and death of the couple's 2nd son, John Henry, who died during childbirth. 1917 brought the birth of their second daughter, Alice May, named for LeRoy's late mother. She, sadly, would only live to be 16 months old, passing away on Christmas Day in 1918. August 23, 1919 saw the birth of the couple's 5th child, daughter Sophronia Martha.
The 1920 U.S. Census finds the young family living in Merrill, with their three living children. Born shortly after the census was taken was the couple's 6th child, daughter Flora Alice, on 7 Sep 1920.
1922 saw the birth of the family's 7th child, daughter Eloise Shirley, followed in 1923 by the birth of their 3rd son and 8th child, John Henry. The 9th and final child of the couple, Mattie Pearson, was born on 14 Oct 1924. This complete family can be found, still living in the Gardner home in Merrill on the 1930 U. S. Federal Census. The 1940 U. S. Federal Census find the family still in Merrill, but with only 6 children at home. Their daughter, Flora Alice was living in Mapleton, Aroostook Co., with the Hardley Boutiller family, as a live-in housekeeper.
LeRoy worked many different jobs during his lifetime; Mill Wright and his grandfather's and great-Uncle's Lumber Mill, farmer on his Grandfather's farm and Janitor at the local High School. But the job he did the longest, was as Justice of the Peace of Merrill, Aroostook County. He was well known in this profession, and there are many stories told about his tenure as a judge.
LeRoy would be left a widower in 1958, with the death of his beloved wife, Nancy. Ten years later, in 1968, he would join her in death. Both are buried in the Gardner family lot in Merrill Cemetery.
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OBITUARY
Retired Judge LeRoy G. Gardner, 78 formerly a trial justice for 35 years, died at his home in Merrill on December 19 after a long illness.
Judge Gardner was born at Merrill on March 25, 1890 and was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gardner, also of Merrill. He was a member of the Smyrna Methodist Church and was a lay leader for the past six years. He was also a charter member of Mattawamkeag Lodge IOOF.
Surviving are two sons, Herbert L. of Orlando, Florida and John H. of Atlanta, Georgia; five daughters, Miss E. Ellen Gardner and Miss Sophronia Gardner, both of Merrill, Mrs. Flora Bliven of Wayne, Michigan, Mrs Eloise Clampffer of Philadelphia and Mrs Mattie Simpson of Hampton Highlands, two half-sisters, Mrs Mona Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Lloyd Collier of Oakfield, 14 grand children, one great-grandchild and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted December 22 from the Smyrna Methodith Church with Rev. A.T. Norton, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the family lot in the Merrill cemetery.
LeRoy George Gardner was born 25 March 1890 in Merrill, Aroostook, Maine, the only child of Alice Mae Gardner and Wellington Brown. His parents were never married.
Note: It was an open secret that Wellington was the father of LeRoy, as family members would state that the father was never named, but two half-sisters of LeRoy's are named on his obituary (below), Mrs Mona (Brown) Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Tab (Brown) Collier of Oakfield.
There is a family story that when LeRoy was born, he was so small, he fit into a shoebox and was not expected to survive. He lived to be 78 years old.
The 1900 U.S. Census finds LeRoy living in the house where he was born, with his mother, Alice; his grandparents and his Aunt Bertha.
LeRoy attended school in Smyrna Mills and completed the 2nd year of High School, as stated on the 1940 U. S. Census. He continued to live with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha until his marriage, due to the death of his mother, Alice pm 11 May 1901. LeRoy was 11 years old at the time. This is reflected in the 1910 U. S. Census, where LeRoy can be found in Merrill, with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha.
On 23 Apr 1913, LeRoy married Nancy Ella Gerald. She was the daughter of Orrin F. and Rose Ellen (Gerald) Gerald of Stacyville, Penobscot, Maine. She was working as a live-in housekeeper for the Lewis Levitt family in Smyrna Mills. As both LeRoy and Nancy were Methodists that attended the Smyrna Method Church, you wonder if that might have been where they met. The young couple would move into the Gardner family home and remain in Merrill their entire lives.
The young couple's first born child, son Herbert Leroy, was born in1914, followed quickly by his sister Elmira Ellen in 1915. The year 1916 saw the tragic birth and death of the couple's 2nd son, John Henry, who died during childbirth. 1917 brought the birth of their second daughter, Alice May, named for LeRoy's late mother. She, sadly, would only live to be 16 months old, passing away on Christmas Day in 1918. August 23, 1919 saw the birth of the couple's 5th child, daughter Sophronia Martha.
The 1920 U.S. Census finds the young family living in Merrill, with their three living children. Born shortly after the census was taken was the couple's 6th child, daughter Flora Alice, on 7 Sep 1920.
1922 saw the birth of the family's 7th child, daughter Eloise Shirley, followed in 1923 by the birth of their 3rd son and 8th child, John Henry. The 9th and final child of the couple, Mattie Pearson, was born on 14 Oct 1924. This complete family can be found, still living in the Gardner home in Merrill on the 1930 U. S. Federal Census. The 1940 U. S. Federal Census find the family still in Merrill, but with only 6 children at home. Their daughter, Flora Alice was living in Mapleton, Aroostook Co., with the Hardley Boutiller family, as a live-in housekeeper.
LeRoy worked many different jobs during his lifetime; Mill Wright and his grandfather's and great-Uncle's Lumber Mill, farmer on his Grandfather's farm and Janitor at the local High School. But the job he did the longest, was as Justice of the Peace of Merrill, Aroostook County. He was well known in this profession, and there are many stories told about his tenure as a judge.
LeRoy would be left a widower in 1958, with the death of his beloved wife, Nancy. Ten years later, in 1968, he would join her in death. Both are buried in the Gardner family lot in Merrill Cemetery.
***************************
OBITUARY
Retired Judge LeRoy G. Gardner, 78 formerly a trial justice for 35 years, died at his home in Merrill on December 19 after a long illness.
Judge Gardner was born at Merrill on March 25, 1890 and was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gardner, also of Merrill. He was a member of the Smyrna Methodist Church and was a lay leader for the past six years. He was also a charter member of Mattawamkeag Lodge IOOF.
Surviving are two sons, Herbert L. of Orlando, Florida and John H. of Atlanta, Georgia; five daughters, Miss E. Ellen Gardner and Miss Sophronia Gardner, both of Merrill, Mrs. Flora Bliven of Wayne, Michigan, Mrs Eloise Clampffer of Philadelphia and Mrs Mattie Simpson of Hampton Highlands, two half-sisters, Mrs Mona Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Lloyd Collier of Oakfield, 14 grand children, one great-grandchild and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted December 22 from the Smyrna Methodith Church with Rev. A.T. Norton, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the family lot in the Merrill cemetery.
Note: It was an open secret that Wellington was the father of LeRoy, as family members would state that the father was never named, but two half-sisters of LeRoy's are named on his obituary (below), Mrs Mona (Brown) Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Tab (Brown) Collier of Oakfield.
There is a family story that when LeRoy was born, he was so small, he fit into a shoebox and was not expected to survive. He lived to be 78 years old.
The 1900 U.S. Census finds LeRoy living in the house where he was born, with his mother, Alice; his grandparents and his Aunt Bertha.
LeRoy attended school in Smyrna Mills and completed the 2nd year of High School, as stated on the 1940 U. S. Census. He continued to live with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha until his marriage, due to the death of his mother, Alice pm 11 May 1901. LeRoy was 11 years old at the time. This is reflected in the 1910 U. S. Census, where LeRoy can be found in Merrill, with his grandparents and Aunt Bertha.
On 23 Apr 1913, LeRoy married Nancy Ella Gerald. She was the daughter of Orrin F. and Rose Ellen (Gerald) Gerald of Stacyville, Penobscot, Maine. She was working as a live-in housekeeper for the Lewis Levitt family in Smyrna Mills. As both LeRoy and Nancy were Methodists that attended the Smyrna Method Church, you wonder if that might have been where they met. The young couple would move into the Gardner family home and remain in Merrill their entire lives.
The young couple's first born child, son Herbert Leroy, was born in1914, followed quickly by his sister Elmira Ellen in 1915. The year 1916 saw the tragic birth and death of the couple's 2nd son, John Henry, who died during childbirth. 1917 brought the birth of their second daughter, Alice May, named for LeRoy's late mother. She, sadly, would only live to be 16 months old, passing away on Christmas Day in 1918. August 23, 1919 saw the birth of the couple's 5th child, daughter Sophronia Martha.
The 1920 U.S. Census finds the young family living in Merrill, with their three living children. Born shortly after the census was taken was the couple's 6th child, daughter Flora Alice, on 7 Sep 1920.
1922 saw the birth of the family's 7th child, daughter Eloise Shirley, followed in 1923 by the birth of their 3rd son and 8th child, John Henry. The 9th and final child of the couple, Mattie Pearson, was born on 14 Oct 1924. This complete family can be found, still living in the Gardner home in Merrill on the 1930 U. S. Federal Census. The 1940 U. S. Federal Census find the family still in Merrill, but with only 6 children at home. Their daughter, Flora Alice was living in Mapleton, Aroostook Co., with the Hardley Boutiller family, as a live-in housekeeper.
LeRoy worked many different jobs during his lifetime; Mill Wright and his grandfather's and great-Uncle's Lumber Mill, farmer on his Grandfather's farm and Janitor at the local High School. But the job he did the longest, was as Justice of the Peace of Merrill, Aroostook County. He was well known in this profession, and there are many stories told about his tenure as a judge.
LeRoy would be left a widower in 1958, with the death of his beloved wife, Nancy. Ten years later, in 1968, he would join her in death. Both are buried in the Gardner family lot in Merrill Cemetery.
***************************
OBITUARY
Retired Judge LeRoy G. Gardner, 78 formerly a trial justice for 35 years, died at his home in Merrill on December 19 after a long illness.
Judge Gardner was born at Merrill on March 25, 1890 and was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gardner, also of Merrill. He was a member of the Smyrna Methodist Church and was a lay leader for the past six years. He was also a charter member of Mattawamkeag Lodge IOOF.
Surviving are two sons, Herbert L. of Orlando, Florida and John H. of Atlanta, Georgia; five daughters, Miss E. Ellen Gardner and Miss Sophronia Gardner, both of Merrill, Mrs. Flora Bliven of Wayne, Michigan, Mrs Eloise Clampffer of Philadelphia and Mrs Mattie Simpson of Hampton Highlands, two half-sisters, Mrs Mona Bartley of Bangor and Mrs. Lloyd Collier of Oakfield, 14 grand children, one great-grandchild and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted December 22 from the Smyrna Methodith Church with Rev. A.T. Norton, pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the family lot in the Merrill cemetery.
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