My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. GARD. The present prosperity of St. Joseph and its prominence as a commercial centre are largely due to the fruit industry which engages the attention of many of the foremost citizens of the place. Among the most successful fruit-growers is our subject, John F. Gard, the owner of a fine fruit farm, consisting of sixty-five acres, and admirably adapted to the raising of fruits of every variety. Of this property, twenty acres are planted to grapes, nine acres to pears and blackberries, two acres to plums and the same amount to peaches.

The Gard family has been represented in Berrien County since the year 1832, when the paternal grandfather of our subject, Josephus Gard, came to this State from Ohio and, settling in Berrien County, made his home here until his death. The father of our subject, Joseph Gard, was born in Preble County, Ohio, and made his home there until 1832, when he moved to Michigan, first locating in Cass County. He was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1834, when he removed to Berrien County. After the death of his first wife, he married Miss Laura, daughter of Amos Farley and a native of Vermont, although at the time of her marriage she was a resident of St. Joseph Township, Berrien County, whither the family came in 1829. The Parleys are of Puritan stock and were represented in America as early as 1624.

Upon coming to Michigan, Joseph Gard, as above stated, settled in Cass County, but after spending two years there he came to Berrien County and purchased a tract consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. For a time he operated a tannery, which he conducted with success, as, timber being abundant, it was an easy matter to secure tanbark. Farming pursuits, however, engaged his attention principally, and he was foremost among the agriculturists of his community. He was a man of great force of character, strong in his convictions and resolute in action. In his political belief he was an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. His death, which occurred in 1873, removed from this county one of its earliest settlers and most prominent citizens. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away in 1878.

The subject of this sketch is the only surviving child born of his father’s second marriage. He was born in St. Joseph Township, Berrien County, on the 2d of February, 1845. In his youth he was a pupil in the neighboring school, and afterward took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College at Chicago. Returning to his home at the close of his term in the college, he accepted a position of clerk in the office of A. H. Morrison, Collector of Internal Revenue, and remained there from June, 1864, until 1866, when Mr. Morrison was retired for political reasons. His successor in office, Walter G. Beckwith, appointed Mr. Gard to the position he had previously occupied, but the appointment was not confirmed by the Senate.

Returning to St. Joseph, Mr. Gard engaged in farming for about eighteen months, and then secured the position of book-keeper for the firm of Dickinson, Leach & Co., of Chicago, with whom he remained for three years. Subsequently he returned to St. Joseph and followed agricultural pursuits in this county for another three years. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad at St. Joseph, and until the office was removed to Muskegon held the office of Auditor of the passenger accounts of the road. Later he assumed the charge of the Morrison Dock, but in 1880 resigned from that position and for some time afterward had charge of the steamer “John A. Dix.” Since his retirement from that position, he has devoted his time principally to fruit culture.

June 6, 1869, Mr. Gard married Miss Josephine, daughter of Charles Taff, of St. Joseph, she being a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gard have three children: Minerva, Mabel and John J. In politics he is a Republican and has served for two years as School Inspector, was Highway Commissioner for eight years, member of the School Board for twelve years. Supervisor for two years, and is the present Secretary of the Republican County Committee. Socially, he is a prominent worker in the Masonic fraternity, being identified with Pomona Lodge No. 281, A. F. & A. M., of which he was for ten years Master and is now Secretary. He is also a member of Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M., of which he is High Priest.