Levi Gardner was born in Adams County PA Dec. 17, 1810, and is the son of George & Elizbeth (Seybold) of German descent, who were in good circumstances and followed farm life. Levi obtained a fair education in the subscription schools of his native state. Came to Illinois in 1836, and has resided here most of the time since; he could ride all over this county when he first came, he tells us, without seeing scarcely any improvements; his father-in-law, who was one of the pioneers of this county, killed 7 bears in Fairmount Twp. in one day.

In 1837 he married Matilda Neal by whom he had 8 childre, 5 of whom are living - one son and four daughters. By occupation Mr. Gardner is a tanner and currier; he had a tannery in this county 5 or 6 years, but since 1850 he has been farming. Lives now on sec. 5. In politics Mr. G. is a Republican, and both himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. In 1862 Mr. Gardner enlisted in the 99th regiment as a musician (a fifer); was in the battle of Magnolia, MS, Champion Hills and Black River; he was discharged before the close of the war, that is, at the close of the siege of Vicksburg, where he was present.

Extracted from "A Peek at Pike" Spring 1993