Archibald Gardner - The Miller

Archibald Gardner - The Miller

Archibald Gardner -- The Miller

by Lillian Gardner Widdison

Archibald Gardner was a pioneer of 1847, arriving in Salt Lake City on October 6th. He was born in Kilsyth, 12 miles east of Glasgow, Scotland on September 2, 1814. he moved to Lanark when a lad, settling in the back woods. At that time he was about nine years old. He continued to live with his parents until he was seventeen, and being strong and husky he was able to accumulate some money. He was an expert ax man, having taken large contracts to furnish hewn timbers to ship builders. When he was 17 he changed occupations. With little money and plenty of determination he undertook to build a grist mill. A mill was sorely needed in that district as most of the wheat up to that time was ground in coffee mills. So in 1832 Mill number 1 was his first flour mill in Warwick, Canada. He was his own engineer, carpenter, builder, etc. and with the help of his family, an up to date mill was built.

On February 19, 1839 Archibald married Margaret Livingston. Of his romance Archie said, "I went with two Irishmen to cut a road through the woods of Brooke, Township, in which vicinity I later built a mill. We stayed all night with a Highland Scotch man, and our bed was spread out on the floor in front of the fireplace. After we had retired for the night three girls passed through the room. I did not notice the first or the second, but when the third girl came in, although I had never seen her before, something spoke to my understand, "That is your future wife." I learned her name, Margaret Livingston, and had a five minute talk with her before she left for her work in Detroit. As i could not get her out of my mind, I decided to take another little walk of one hundred and ten miles to see her. The weather was very cold, the snow, sixteen inches on the level. My companion went only part way, and f broke the trail the entire distance. Upon arriving at the city of her employment, I found her address. In the afternoon I was permitted to see her at the gate. I tried to arrange a meeting that evening but she was not allowed to go out or see anyone. I was so provoked at this that I went home the next day without any further interview. I courted, and asked other girls to marry me but circumstances seemed to upset my plans. Always my mind reverted to Margaret. When the mill was well started, I sent to Detroit to see her. She came, and on February 19, 1839 I married my little Highland Scotch Lassie."

Mill number 2 was built at Ermisillen, Western District, Canada about 25 miles from the first mill. A saw mill was attached to this ill. These two mills and 200 acres of land were valued at $12,000, but Archibald Gardner and

his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and all his wealth went glimmering, as the Gardner family was compelled to leave

· · Canada. He sold one mill valued at $6000 for $1600 and another mill

valued at $5000 for $2200. He concluded to lose everything else he had move with his family to the west. He had, however, made a contract to furnish staves for a certain man. He bade his family farewell putting his trust in the Lord, praying that even though his wife was sick, that the Lord would

. spare her and their little ones until they should meet again, and he set off to fulfill the contract. The devil raged against the Mormons and through some men was determined to stop the Gardner family.

Archibald. started at night and traveled thirty miles, arriving at Port Sarnia, on the banks of the St. Clair river, at day break. Here, another obstade came his way. It was about the first of March and the ice was breaking up. He started on the ice with his mind so filled with thoughts of his family and home and of himself as an exile in a strange land among strangers, that he took no notice of where he was walking until he heard a shout warning him of his danger. Raising his head he saw a crowd collected, waving their hats and handkerchiefs for him to turn back, which he did. He then found a friend named John Anderson, and giving him $10.00 to go back to his family and tell them that he was safely across the river, for his faith was so strong in the Lord that he knew he would be delivered from his enemies who were following him.

He then went down again to the bank of the river, and this is the prayer he uttered. "Oh God, the God of ancient Israel, Thou knowest the desire of Thy servant's heart, and as I am now fleeing from mine enemies, so that I can gather with the Saints, and as I have not done wrong, but seek to keep Thy commandments, wilt Thou have mercy on Thy servant and stop this ice, so that I may be delivered and not fall into the hands of my enemies. Amen"

He said all fear then vanished and he felt the power of faith as he never had felt it before. He took a running jump of about ten feet and landed on his knees in much ice, but the roar of the running ice had ceased, and nothing was heard but the shouts of the people from the opposite bank warning him of his danger. The ice ceased to flow and her pursued his way, climbing over cakes and piles of broken ice until he got across the river, which was one mile and eight rods wide at that place. He then breathed a silent prayer, thanking his Heavenly Father for his deliverance. On reaching the other side he mingled with the astonished crowd, some of whom said he must be a Mormon, while some declared that the devil was in the man. With faith undaunted, he journeyed to Nauvoo, joining with his family and friends. They gathered together with the Saints at Winter Quarters for the winter. It

was here that his eighteen month old daughter, Janet, died. They started for Utah on June 1, 1847, crossing the plains with Bishop Hunter's company. They arrived on October 1, 1847.

Mill number 3 -- Immediately upon entering the Salt Lake Valley a new start in mill building was made. Early in the winter of 1847 and on into 1848 he built a temporary saw mill at Warm Springs where the first lumber in Utah was sawed. There was not enough power there, so he and his brother Robert obtained the first permit issued by the High council to leave the old Fort.

It was early in the spring of 1848 that they took the newly constructed saw mill and all their possessions and moved to what was called "The Grove" and later known as Mill Creek. There on the stream they placed the mill, constructed a mill race, etc. and other facilities for permanent establishment of a home and a business. A flour mill was completed in time to operate for the first harvest in Utah in 1848. This was the third mill to make bolted four in Utah. This mill number 3 was operated successfully for several years but finally as the Valley became settled it was decided that water was more essential for farming and that water power rights must not interfere with agriculture. They must have crops to survive, so the mill was moved up stream into the mountains.

Mill number 4 was built in West Jordan. The Gardner Brothers began to expand their business and in the winter of 1849-50 built a saw mill and later a grist mill at West Jordan near the Jordan River. This was one of their greatest achievements. A mill race 2 1/2 miles long with a dam in Jordan River costing $5000 had to be constructed and all was hand labor. They had the saw in operation in 1850.

Mill number 5 was located on the Big Cottonwood stream on the State Road in 1857. this mill was built entirely by Archibald as his brother Robert was called on a mission to Canada. A few years later Robert was called by President Brigham Young to assist in the settlement of St. George and vicinity. Therefore the partnership of Gardner Bros. came to an end. Robert and family arrived in St. George Jan. 14, 1860. His half of mill number 5 was purchased by Brigham Young. This was a good mill - right and was operated very successfully for several years. Later it was sold to James. Gardner and Sons. Finally the water power was obtained by the Murray Progress Company who still holds the title to the property. The "Old Mill House" still stand intact and is usable.

In the fall of 1858 Archibald Gardner was called to be Bishop of the West

Jordan Ward, which office he held for thirty-two years. Under his direction the.first rock meeting house was built in West Jordan.

He was a personal friend of Brigham Young, and many other leaders of the Church. An incident occurred during the building of the Salt Lake Temple. The building had proceeded several feet beyond the foundation when cracks were discovered in the foundation. President Young and his advisors decided that the foundation would not sustain the tremendous weight to be placed upon it. President Young dismissed the workmen and sat down on the foundation and said, "Here I will remain until the Lord reveals to me what I should do next." It was not long after this that Archibald Gardner came into view. Preside.nt Young motioned for him to come. "Bishop, sit down," he said. Then he told him the perplexing problem. Together they went carefully over the foundation, examined the materials and the manner in which it had been put together. Then Archibald said, "President Young, I feel that the trouble has arisen though the use of too much mortar. The resultant settling has caused the walls to crack. In my opinion it will be necessary to tear out the entire foundation and start over again. This time,instead of using mortar, have each and all of the stones in the entire building cut to exact measurements, and place stone on stone with precise fittings. This will prevent cracking, settling, or spreading in any way. " President Young brought his hand down on Archibald's shoulder and said, "You are right. This is the answer. This is the revelation I have been waiting for."

Archibald Gardner followed the law of Celestial Marriage and at the time of the persecutions for polygamy, he, like so many of his brethren, was forced to leave his home and family spending some time in Old Mexico.

While building a mill at Pleasant Grove he became acquainted with Mary J_arsen and she became his last - his eleventh- wife. When the persecution became severe he and Mary and their children went to Star Valley, Wyoming. There he built a flour mill, a lumber mill, a planer, and a shingle mill. He did much toward the development of that country.

Archibald Gardner was never so happy as when surrounded by busy men, and listening to the hum of the saw. The sound of the mill wheel was to him the sweetest of music. During his lifetime he was called "the poor man's friend" always being ready to help his fellow men.

He died at the St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City following an operation for hernia. His death came on February 8, 1902. His was eighty-seven years, five months and six days old. He was the father of forty-eight children and

at the time of his death he left three wives, sixteen sons, and twelve daughters as·well as hosts of friends to mourn his loss. He was a kind husband, a loving father, a faithful friend, and a staunch and able defender of the cause of truth and righteousness, and his memory will live in the hearts of thousands of Saints in the latter days.