HARRY S. GARDNER, register of deeds in Oakland county, is one of the more popular and prominent men in Pontiac, as well as one of the busiest . Heis a native son of Oakland county, born in Oxford, Oxford township, on February 26, 1875 , and is a son of Harper and Lorena (Osmun ) Gardner and grandson of Solomon Gardner. Solomon Gardner, who was a native of New York state, came to Michigan in 1850. in common with a great number of other New York ers, and settled in Oakland county, Oxford township, where he became identified with the active farming interests of the community. His son, Harper Gardner, the father of Harry S. Gardner, of this review , was born in Oxford in 1851 , and there he passed his life up to the age of fifty years, engaged in the same business to which his father had devoted himself. He experienced a high degree of success in his farm ing operations, and was known for one of the more prominent breed ers of fine stock in Oakland county. His farming activities gained him a competence, and when he was about fifty years of age he retired from his farm and took up his residence in the village of Oxford, where he has since lived, and where he expects to spend the remainder of his days . His wife, Lorena Osmun, was born in Elba, Lapeer county, Michigan, on January 3, 1855, and was a daughter of Zebadiah Osmun. She died in Oxford township in 1894, when she was thirty nine years of age, leaving one child, Harry S. Gardner.

The schools of Oxford township afforded to Mr. Gardner his early education, and sufficiently advanced him that while yet in his teens he began to teach in the district schools of his vicinity during the winter months, giving his summers to the farm work . In 1896 Mr. Gardner had so far advanced in the teaching profession that he went to Royal Oak as principal of the schools, and he remained in that position for something like ten years, during which time the status of the schools assumed a tone consistent with the advanced methods and splendid ef forts of their principal. It was through the interest and enthusiasm which his labors in the village produced that Royal Oak became the possessor of the splendid school building which has for some years graced the town, erected at a cost of about $ 12,000 . The merging of Mr. Gardner's interests in affairs political in Oakland county gave to that district a most valuable official, but robbed it of one of the most capable educators it has ever possessed, although he served for sometime as a member of the board of county school examiners, in which he gave excellent service to the county.

In 1895 Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Mabel Jones, a daughter of Edward and Jennie ( Walker ) Jones. She was born in Waterford township, Oakland county, in 1868. They have one child, Ferris, who was born on October 3, 1902.

In addition to his duties as register of deeds, Mr. Gardner holds the office of secretary and treasurer of the Columbia Casualty Company of Pontiac. He is affiliated with various fraternal organizations, hold ing membership in the Masons, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks , in which latter society he is exalted ruler of the local lodge. Mrs. Gardner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Royal Oak.