John J. Gardner

John James Gardner
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1913
Preceded by	James Buchanan
Succeeded by	J. Thompson Baker
Member of the New Jersey Senate
In office 1878–1893
Personal details
Born	October 17, 1845 Atlantic County, New Jersey
Died	February 7, 1921 (aged 75) Indian Mills, New Jersey
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Profession	Politician

John James Gardner (October 17, 1845 – February 7, 1921) was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1893 to 1913, and was Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Early life and career, family, and death

Born in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Gardner attended the common schools and the University of Michigan Law School in 1866 and 1867. He served in the 6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry from 1861 to 1865 and one year in the United States Veteran Volunteers. He engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In a tragic accident in 1899 his 17-year-old son Albert was out bicycle riding at Egg Harbor City attempting to cross the railroad tracks when he was hit by a fast express train, the "Nellie Bly," and instantly killed.

He died of heart disease at his farm in Indian Mills in Shamong Township, New Jersey on February 7, 1921^[1] and was interred in Atlantic City Cemetery in Pleasantville, New Jersey.

Political career

Gardner was elected alderman of Atlantic City in 1867. He served as Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1868–1872, 1874, and 1875. He served as member of the common council and coroner of Atlantic County in 1876. He was a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1878 to 1893, serving as its president in 1883. He engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention.

Gardner was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-third and to the nine succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1913). He served as chairman of the Committee on Labor. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1912 to the Sixty-third Congress and resumed agricultural pursuits.

References

1. Staff. "Ex-Congressman John J. Gardner", The New Jersey Law Journal, Volume 44, p. 95. Accessed February 4, 2013. "While not a lawyer it was not his fault that he was not a member of the New Jersey Bar. This is to be said of Ex-Congressman John J. Gardner of, formerly, Atlantic City, who died on his farm at Indian Mills, Burlington county on Feb. 7th last, of heart disease."

External links

• United States Congress. "John J. Gardner (id: G000057)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• John James Gardner at The Political Graveyard
• John James Gardner at Find a Grave