George Washington Gardner of Ohio

Photographer: Gardner
Napoleon, Ohio

George Washington Gardner sr
(1828 - 1912)
George Washington Gardner jr
(1861 - 1920)

There were at least six George Gardner’s that were photographers in the cabinet card era. Three of them were in Ohio. Two of those lived in Napoleon, OH.

Sources: Democratic Northwest & Henry County Newspaper Item of 22 Jan 888 (DNHC Item); US census; city directories; newspaper item as noted

1828 Nov 23
New York, G W Gardner sr is born
1856 Apr 06
Seneca County, OH, Gardner sr marries Lavina Boehler
1860
Napoleon, OH, DNHC news item G W Gardner sr begins in photograph business
1861 Jan 28
Ohio state records George W jr is born to George W sr and Lovinia Boehler
1865
Napoleon, OH, DNHC news item G W Gardner sr comes to Napoleon. OH

1874
Napoleon, OH, DNHC news item G W Gardner jr becomes partner in gallery (if this is true junior would have been only 13)
1880 Jun 18
Napoleon, OH, US census Gardner sr as photographer, Gardner jr as photographer
1881 Sep 15
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad Gardner and Son but gives no address
1882 Oct 19
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad Garnder’s Gallery no address
1883 Oct 18
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad G W Gardner and Son
1884 Apr 17
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper advertising picture of “Murderer Johnson” on sale at Gardner’s Gallery
1885 Oct 08
Napoleon, OH, DNHC Newspaper item Gardner jr. goes to Zanesville, IN, to set up new gallery
1887 Feb 24
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for Gardner and son gallery, no address shown
1888 Jan 22
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for Gardner and son gallery, no address shown

1889 Apr 18
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper display ad for Gardner studio, frames and photographs
1889 Dec 04
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for G W Gardner studio (son not mentioned)
1891 May 14
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for G W Gardner studio
1892 May 05
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for G W Gardner studio Frames, Photographs and Ironing boards
1893 Apr 20
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for G W Gardner studio Frames, photographs and room moulding
1894 Nov 29
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for Gardner and Son studio no address
1895 Jan 24
Napoleon, OH, DNHC small newspaper ad for Gardner and Son studio
1896 Apr 23
Napoleon, OH, DNHC small newspaper ad for “Gardner’s”
1897 Jun 10
Napoleon, OH, DNHC newspaper ad for Gardner and son

1900 Jun 11
Napoleon, OH, US census Gardner sr as photographer, has three of his children working in the studio: Cecil, Mary and Joseph; Gardner jr has not been located for this year
1910 Apr 16
Napoleon, OH, US census, Gardner sr as “own income”; daughter Della (Mary Idella Gardner) as photographer
1910 Apr 23
Dry Valley, GA, US census, Gardner jr as photographer
1912 May 24
Napoleon, OH, state records, Gardner sr dies
1918
Memphis, TN, city directory, George jr and Bertha NOT listed
1920
Memphis, TN, city directory, George jr as photographer at 202 Beale; res 355 s 4th
1920 Apr 10
Daily Arkansas Gazette about Memphis, TN, George Gardner jr, 59, takes own life with gas

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 19 Oct 1882

The cabinet card at the top could have been done any time the Gardners were in business in Napoleon, OH, from 1874 to 1920. Quite likely the daughter Della carried on the same name on the cards after her father’s death. Since there are no addresses listed in the news ads or on the card itself, it cannot be dated closer than that. The style of the card would indicate the years around 1886 to 1890.

Any cards stamped Zanesville, OH, would have been done after 1885, when Gardner jr is said to have opened a studio there. There could be some cards finished while Gardner jr was living in Memphis, TN, in 1919-1921, and some could have been finished while he was in Dry Valley, GA, around 1910.

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 18 Oct 1883

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 15 Sep 1881

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 17 Apr 1884

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 08 Oct 1885

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 24 Feb 1887

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 18 Apr 1889

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 14 May 1891

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 05 May 1892

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 29 Nov 1894

And last, the sad story of the passing of G W Gardner, JR.

Democratic Northwest & Henry County News (Napoleon, OH) - 10 Apr 1920

Gardner and Son
Napoleon, OH
finished probably 1874-1920 - note: simpler logo was probably earlier in this period
example from auction site

Gardner
Napoleon, OH
imprint using a blind stamp (embossed)
example from auction site

photographer: Gardner
Napoleon, OH,
example from auction site

photographer: Gardner
Napoleon, OH,
example from auction site

photographer: Gardner
Napoleon, OH,
example from auction site
(Note the imprint is the same as the card just above.)

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.

New examples and additional information are always welcome. Any additional information will help narrow the time that these precious antiques were made. All submissions should be free of glare and shadows. Do not crop. Leave a border around each card. The edges are sometimes an important clue to the age of the card.

Some examples on this page have been enhanced or restored for clarity and presentation here.

This page is free for educational and research purposes only but, as always, if the original owner of any of these examples objects to the use on this page, just let me know and they will be immediately removed.