John J. Gardner

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 for five terms from 1893 to 1913, and was Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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 byJames Buchanan
Succeeded byJ. Thompson Baker
Member of the New Jersey Senate
In office
1878–1893
Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey
In office
1868–1872
Preceded byLemuel G. Eldridge
Succeeded byCharles Souder
Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey
In office
1874–1875
Preceded byCharles Souder
Succeeded byWillard Wright
Personal details
BornOctober 17, 1845
Atlantic County, New Jersey
DiedFebruary 7, 1921(1921-02-07) (aged 75)
Indian Mills, New Jersey
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
ProfessionPolitician

Early life and career

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.

Political career

Gardner was elected alderman of Atlantic City in 1867. He served as Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1868 to 1872 and again from 1874 to 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.

Congress

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.

Death

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.

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."
  • 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
Political offices
Preceded by
Lemuel C. Eldridge		 Mayor of Atlantic City
1868–1872		 Succeeded by
Charles Souder
Preceded by
Charles Souder		 Mayor of Atlantic City
1874–1875		 Succeeded by
Willard Wright
Preceded by
Garret Hobart		 President of the New Jersey Senate
1883		 Succeeded by
Benjamin A. Vail
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
James Buchanan		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 2nd congressional district
1893–1913		 Succeeded by
J. Thompson Baker
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