History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

204 History of Swansea
Swansea further showed its appreciation of Mr. Gardner's ability by
electing him as selectman, and in 1870 he was chosen as representative to
the Great and General Court at Boston. He was a member of that body
the year that the grant was authorized for the construction of Slade's Ferry
Bridge over the Taunton River, a structure that is now regarded as antiquated
and altogether out of fashion. For many years he was a trustee of
East Greenwich Academy and superintendent of the Sunday School of the
South Somerset M. E. Church, both of which positions he was obliged to
relinquish on account of his health. He was also a trustee and member of
the official board of that church for a long period up to the time of his death.
Besides all his other duties, in which he labored with unfailing devotion, he
was very much interested in the Fall River Deaconess' Home.
After the death of James E. Easterbrooks, September 8, 1896, Mr.
Gsurdner was selected as his successor on the Board of Trustees of the
Swansea Library and also secretary of the body. He served in this
capacity until March 6, 1899, when he was made chairman, holding that
position up to the day of his demise. He was the presiding officer at the
dedication of the library building on September 19, 1900, receiving the keys
of the handsome structure from the selectmen. He also presided at the
dedication of the commodious Town Hall on September 9, 1891, and had
hoped to live until the new schoolhouse then in process of erection was
finished and ready for occupancy. Deeply interested in local history as
well as that of the country, he took great pride in reciting the names of the
participants from Swansea in the various wars. He prepared the lists of
names of those from the town who fell in battle, for the marble tablet
placed to the east of the entrance of the main room in the Town Hall.
Indeed, he was instrumental in having the tablet itself made. On public
occasions he was often a speaker and in town meetings he took an active
part. He will be remembered as advocating Swansea's claims at the
pubhc meeting in the City Hall (Fall River) when the initial arrangements
were being made for the building of the new county bridge, which
was then being constructed to the north of the old pile.
Forty-three years ago Mr. Gardner married Mrs. Marietta (Saunders)
Gardner, widow of his brother, Lucius, who had been drowned. Mrs.
Gardner died January 5, 1901. A son, Howard S. Gardner, of Swansea;
a daughter, Mrs. Wfdter S. Winter ,of Marion, Iowa, and a step-son, Lucius
D. Gardner, of Swansea, survive him, but the daughter was not able to be
present at the funeral services. These began at 1 o'clock and, as a mark of
respect to his memory, the hbrary was kept closed until 3 :30 that afternoon.
The services which were attended by legislative representatives, Swansea
town officials, friends from his own town. Fall River, Freetown, and
Somerset, were conducted by Rev. Frederick W. Coleman and Rev. John
Pearce, pastors of the St, Paul and Summerfield M. E. Churches of Fall
River. In his eulogy Rev. Mr. Coleman noted how closely Mr. Gardner's
life had been associated with that of the community, the members of which
would miss him with a deep sense of loss. He also mentioned the publicspirited
character of the man and quoted the words, "Well done, thou
good and faithful servant."
Abneb Slade
Abner Slade, son of Benjamin and grandson of Joseph Slade, was born
in Swansea Oct. 2, 1792, on the homestead of his father, within a short
distance of which his long life of usefulness was passed. He was in the
fifth generation from the first of the family who settled in Swansea, and