"Henry Gardner Called By Death at Spanish Fork

Retired Business Man, Prominent State Leaden and Church Man Dies.

SPANISH FORK — Henry Gardner, 78, retired business man, former president of the Utah state senate, and recognized as the father of the Strawberry reclamation project, died at the family home Monday following a long illness.

He had been in failing health for eight years, but his condition was aggravated a month ago when he fell and broke his hip, since which time he has been confined to his bed.

He was a native of Spanish Fork, the son of Archibald and Serena Garson Gardner, early pioneers. He was born March 22, 1850. He received his education in the public schools, later attending the Brigham Young university at Provo. He filled many positions of trust and honor.

During his early manhood he worked with his father who operated cotton mills in Cottonwood canyon and other parts of Utah. He married Elizabeth Martell, March 22, 1882, in the St. George L.D.S. temple, She died March 27, 1915.

After his marriage Mr. Gardner made his home at Spanish Fork and took an active part in all community activities. He engaged in ranching and stock raising and was connected with practically all the enterprises in the growing town. He was a stockholder and director of the Commercial bank for many years. He managed and operated several sawmills, and conducted a lumber business known as the Chisbolf and Gardner Lumber company. He sawed much of the wood used to line the Strawberry tunnel.

Mr. Gardner conceived the idea of making a tunnel and bringing the Strawberry river to Spanish Fork and Payson, he made many trips to the Strawberry basin and worked indefatigably until the great project was finally accomplished. He was familiarly called the father of the Strawberry reclamation project.

In politics he was a staunch Republican. He was elected to represent his county in both the house of representatives and in the state senate. He served 14 years in the two houses. He presided as president of the senate twice and was honored by Republicans and Democrats alike for his fair dealing. He served as mayor, as councilman and as marshal of Spanish Fork.

Church Worker-
Mr. Gardner was a devout member of the L.D.S. church. He filled a mission to the southern states from 1888 to 1890. In December, 1891, when the Spanish Fork ward was divided into four wards, he was called to preside as bishop of the First ward and he filled this position ten years.

In 1901 he was called to act as counselor to President Page of the Nebo stake and he filled that position for many years.

He was a lover of the great out doors and was active in sports.

Mr. Gardner is survived by the following sons and daughters: President Henry A. Gardner of the Palmyra L.D.S. stake; Eugene T. Gardner, marshal of Spanish Fork; Reuben Delos Gardner, Mrs. Ray Gull, Spanish Fork; Mrs. Jasper Bird, Provo; Mrs. Dena Johnson, Paul, Idaho; Mrs. Hettie Gardner Talmadge, Springville, and Mrs. Bessie G. Hales, Washington, D. C. Thirty-three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one brother, Serenus Gardner, Orange, Cal.; two sisters, Mrs. Serena Andrus and Mrs. Annie Francis, Spanish Fork, and the following half-brothers and sisters: Delilah Gardner, Rachel G. Irving, Ellen and Rebecca Gardner, all of West Jordan; Lillie G. Widason, Hooper; Clarence, Bruce and Francis Gardner, all of Afton, Wyo.; Wilford Gardner, Salt Lake City; Edward Gardner, Greensborrough, N. C.; Robert Gardner, Salt Lake City; James Gardner, Lehi, and Annie Gardner Egbert of Logan, and several others living in other parts of Utah and Wyoming.

Friends may call at the Claudin funeral home and later at the family home of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Gull, at 584 East First South street, until time for the services, which will be held Thursday, at 2 p. m., at the Spanish Fork high school auditorium. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork city cemetery in the family burial plot.

Source: Provo Evening Herald September 22, 1936