Roots part 1: The parents of Jacob Obed Gardner

The Parents of Jacob Obed Gardner:

The above was taken of Brigham Ozro Gardner and Emma Eunice Michaelson Gardner in Afton, Wyoming, 1932.

Jacob Obed Gardner was born to Brigham Ozro Gardner and Emma Eunice Michaelson Gardner on October 30, 1902. He was born in the small mountain valley of Northwestern Wyoming known as Star Valley, just North of the town of Afton. 

Today we will look at the man and woman who were his parents. I will not attempt an in depth look at these two, since doing so would not allow me to keep up with my weekly schedule of updating this blog. I will however highlight some things about Oz and Emma that are worth noting. I didn't attempt to delve into some of the more interesting details such as how they fell in love, but rather focused on the attributes which their children, including Grandpa, remember learning from them.

The following information was obtained from Judge Us, O Lord - a biography of Brigham Ozro Gardner and Emma Eunice Michaelson Gardner by Bonita Gardner Hopkin. Any direct quotations are in italics. The quotes included in this post that are directly attributed to Grandpa (Obed) are taken from a document written by Jacob Obed Gardner on January 11, 1965 entitled Recollections of Dad and Mother. The story of Ozro as Water Commisioner is attributed to Obed's brother Dean, written October 8, 1965.

Brigham Ozro Gardner (Oz) was the 38th child of 48 children, 27 sons, and 21 daughters. He was born in West Jordan, Utah on March 17, 1872. He was one of 11 children born to his mother Laura Althea Thompson Gardner, who was the fourth wife of Archibald Gardner, Oz's father.

Early in his life Brigham Ozro fell in love with the area known as Star Valley, Wyoming. In fact Aunt Bonnie felt that the valley was so much a part of him that she recites much of its history. She also explains that like the weather in Star Valley. To quote Aunt Bonnie:
"The nature of Brigham Ozro Gardner was as varied as the climate of Star Valley. His temperament fluctuated from the mildest summers day to the most severe winter's night; he variably could be meditative and 'deep' as the winter's snows, as 'high' as the fleecy white clouds, as sudden and swift and threatening as the unexpected electric storm, as mellow as the ripening wheat fields. He was quite unpredictable - a man of contrast."

Grandpa Obed didn't mention anything negative in the parts of his writing quoted in Aunt Bonnie's work, instead he compliments his dad on his great strength and his work ethic.
"I sent along with father many times when we were getting out logs.[Referring to frequent trips up the canyon of Swift Creek, where they would often go to get wood for fire, building, or for sale.] I didn't exactly like canyon work for it was hard. I remember many times bing on the end of that big crosscut saw with father on the other and we would saw down a huge tree about two feet in diameter without even taking a rest. I got so tired, sometimes, I wondered how father could work so hard and so fast and so long without a rest, but, rather than say I wanted a rest and admit letting my end of the work lag, I worked on and on. I wonder just what kept me going when I was so out of wind?...anyway, father really taught me how to work and to stay on the job.. when the going has been rough and I have felt tired and ready to quit then would always come to me so vividly this worthwhile experience I learned in the canyon getting out logs with father...This lesson of 'battle to the end, if needs be' was so indelibly taught me by father that it has become part of my very life."

Brigham Ozro was also mentioned as being a very influential man in the community. He served in the Wyoming state legislature, the local school board, and as the local Water Commissioner in Star Valley.  This last job was the source of some difficulty and even danger as squabbles over water rights became heated. The following incident quoted in Aunt Bonnie's work is instructive:
"He had regulated the water in Cottonwood Creek and one ditch received very little water because of more recent water rights. When one patron on the ditch learned of what happened, he said he was going to open his headgate and would shoot anyone who tried to stop him. The Smoot [the town just South of Afton in Star Valley] people notified Oz of this threat and warned him to stay away.

Oz thought about it, momentarily, then calmly drove to the S.B. ranch. S.B. came out, carrying his rifle and proceeded to tell Oz what he intended to do. Oz suggested that the proper place for the shooting was at the headgate and invited S.B. to ride with thim. As they drove to the main headgate, in the words of S.B., 'He didn't act like he was worried at all; just joked, talked about the drought, etc.' When they arrived at the headgate Oz told S. to make good his threat by openin the headgate but that he intended to close it again and he added, 'S., if you try and shoot me be sure you make the first shot good because if I'm not dead after it, you won;t get a chance for a second one!' At this S. reneged and (while S. often said Oz was a fool to challenge him) they were good friends from then on.  


Obed sums up his father's character in this way:
"He was known by his contemporaries as honest, trustworthy and dependable; he tried to be just that and succeeded to a very high degree.

Brigham Ozro was a devoted father and liked to surprise his children with gifts at unexpected times. He would never hesitate to do what was required to help his children when the need arose.  

Brigham Ozro died in Star Valley on October 2, 1957.

On May 12, 1874 Emma Eunice Michaelson was born to Jacob Michaleson and Elizabeth Emma Barker. She was in St. Charles, Idaho, near the shores of Bear Lake. 

She is described as a faithful wife, wonderful cook, and an excellent and extremely loving mother. 

Grandpa celebrated her mothering with the following words:
"Mother was never too busy, with all her tasks, to find time to tell us what we wished to know, to answer questions, and to make us feel we were the greatest children in all the world..in high school I had a lot of problems...Somehow Mother always gave me assurance that I would answer them correctly."

As Grandpa mentioned "all her tasks," lets talk a little about what those were.

Her daughter Bonita describes the daily routine for Emma:
"She seemed to be an untiring worker. A typical day for her began at 5:30 AM, summer or winter, even though she usually had only four hours sleep or less. Super over, Oz would  fold the paper, head for the bedroom and call, 'How come to bed, Emmie.' 'I won't be long,' she would answer. But there were many things to be done and it woujld be midnight, or later, before she could retire.
...Breakfast was at 7 AM. It consisted of hot biscuits or 'scones' 9for she mixed bread every night and made them from the fresh dough); cereal with cream and sugar, bacon and eggs (these latter two items only if available). 

Also from Estella Gardner, wife of Arch:
"Emma's life was dedicated to her husband and to her children. They seemed to be 'her whole world.'"

Obed penned about his mother:
"I remember, early in my life, when I used to lie in her lap and reach up my hands to touch her face. My, she was beautiful! Those deep, blue eyes and wavy brown hair (almost golden) and her unwrinkled cheeks had a smile just for me. I think if I have ever known love and felt it, I got this gift from my Mother...She was so kind and so tender with us we just felt secure and wanted and needed...Many times when I was tempted to do wrong, the vision of my Mother with her love, understanding and full confidence that we would do only those things which were right, would come to me...her loving eyes and sweet smile were so vivid before me that I just could not fail her..."

Emma died on December 5, 1945 at the age of 71, and after more than fifty years of marriage.

Next weeks post will be about Grandma Gardner's parents.