Person:Gardner Saunders (1)

Baptism: Abt 1833 Verona, Oneida Co., New York Residence: 1846 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin Census: 1880 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin

Cause of death: Cancer of the liver Gardner was only 10 when his father died in 1834. He moved with his mother Susan to Adams, NY. In 1842 she remarried. In Adams he married Sarah Crosby in 1844 and soon thereafter homesteaded in Wisconsin.

Gardner is listed in the 1850, 1855, 1860, 1870, and 1880 census records in Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin.

Gardner Saunders 1824-1895

"The Bicentennial History of Milton", 1976, copyright 1977, Milton Historical Society. Where apples are grown, there is cider. Gardner Saunders...has gone into the cider business on a large scale, and has constructed a large press, and is now prepared to serve all who may desire his service in that line. His press has a capacity of 10 barrels per day, ...Cider apples were selling at 25 cents per bushel, and Saunders used four horses to do the grinding, running through sixty bushels in 50 minutes. "He has all the apples brought to him that he can press, some parties coming ten miles or more to get cider made," and it was observed that "almost every wagon that drives through this village nowadays is loaded with either apples or cider." "Very few persons use it as a beverage, they claim, but is a fact that but little vinegar can be found in this section." The cider mill was located at the corner of Highway 26 and Bowers Lake Road.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} The Sabbath Recorder . (New York City, New York; later Plainfield, N. J.)
   51:52:831, December 26, 1895.

   At his home near Milton, Wis., Dec 9, 1895, of dropsy, complicated with other bodily disorders, Gardner Saunders, aged 71 years, 10 months and 10 days. Deceased was born in Verona, N.Y. In 1844 he married Miss Sarah Crosby, who with 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters, are still living. He moved west in 1846, and for 48 years had lived on the farm where he died. Bro. Saunders experienced religion when a youth and was baptized into the membership of the Seventh-day Baptist Church at Verona. On coming to Milton he transferred his membership to this church, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He was industrious, thrifty, intelligent, truthful and honest, and was highly esteemed for the qualities which combined to make him a worthy citizen. During his last sickness, which lasted for several weeks, he entertained no hopes of recovery, but turned his thoughts and prayers to God for mercy and pardon for whatever delinquencies in his life he could recall. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor.

2.   The Milton Journal
   December 18, 1895.

   Gardner Saunders died at his home near Milton, Wisconsin, December 9, of dropsy, complicated with other bodily disorders, aged 71 years, 10 months and 10 days. He was born in Verona, N. Y. In 1844 he was married to Miss Sarah Crosby, who survives him together with four children - to wit: Mrs. Mary Heritage of Big Foote, Ill., Alban G. Saunders of Redlands, Cal., Mrs. Alvira Clarke of South Dakota, and Russel H. Saunders of Milton. He moved west in 1846 and for 48 years had lived on the farm where he died. He experienced religion when a youth and was baptized into the membership of the S. D. B. church at Verona, N. Y. On coming to Milton he transferred his membership to the S. D. B. church here of which he was a member at the time of his death. He was industrious, thrifty, intelligent and truthful, and was highly esteemed for the qualities which combined to make him a worthy citizen. For a number of years he was a member of the school board in his district, and his associates now speak of him as always having been on the right side of every question that would arise. During his last sickness, which lasted for some weeks, he entertained no hopes of recovery, but turned his thoughts and prayers to God for mercy and pardon for whatever delinquencies in his life that he could recall. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. E. M. Dunn, and were held at his late residence, Wednesday, December 11.

3.   C. W. Butterfield. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: containing a history of Rock County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, their improvements, industries, manufacturies, churches, schools, societies, etc., war record, biographical sketches, portraits. (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879)
   827.

   GARDINER SAUNDERS, farmer, sec 23; P.O. Milton; born in Verona, Oneida Co., N.Y., June 29, 1824; son of Russel and Susanah (Peckham) Saunders. They have four sons - William R., Alborn, Gardiner and Andrew J. Gardiner, the third son, came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1846, to Rock Co. In the fall of 1874 located where he now resides; owns 40 acres. Mr. Saunders has held the office of District School Clerk three terms; Treasurer, two terms; elected Constable in the early days. Married Miss Sarah Crosby March 5, 1844 - daughter of Elisha and Sally, of Smithfield, Jefferson Co., N. Y.; born June 2 1824. Had five children - Mary S., born Oct 19 1846, A. G., born May 2 1849; C. F., born July 15 1851; A. C., born May 14 1853; R. H., born June 22, 1860. Belongs to the Seventh-Day Baptist Church; Republican.