William White Gardiner was born at Stockport, N. Y., April 15, 1823, and died at Nile, N. Y., May 30, 1907.
He was the son of David and Martha Northrup Gardiner, and the last in a family of eight children. His father died when William was three years old, and his mother's death left him an orphan at about seven years of age. He learned to read at Sunday school. When sixteen years old he settled at Dodge's Creek, N. Y. His first church membership was with the Seventh-day Baptist church at that place. Later, having removed to the vicinity of Nile, he joined the Friendship church located there. At the latter place, he served as Sabbath school superintendent for perhaps a dozen years, and as deacon since 1877.
In 1848, Mr. Gardiner was married to Almina Crandall of Nile, who is still living. Four children were born to them, two daughters and two sons. One daughter, the late Mrs. A. G. Crofoot, preceded her father to the heavenly home. The other children are Mrs. J. W. Collar of Wellsville, H. L. Gardiner of Nile, and W. D. Gardiner of Brockport. J. W. Crofoot, missionary to China, is a grandson.
Deacon Gardiner was a man of strong character and high Christian ideals. He lived four years beyond the Psalmist's limit, and "came to his grave in a full age, like a shock of corn cometh in its season." Farewell services were held at the church where he had always been prompt in attendance, conducted by his pastor, Rev. A. J. C. Bond. His body was laid to rest at Mt. Hope, near that of his brother, David, who came to this country with him in those early days, and who always lived near him.
A. J. C. B.
