A School Master's Reminiscences.

B. C. Gardner, Benjamin C. Gardner

Article numbers, schools mentioned. year

#1....Buck School House, New Lisbon, 1836

#2....Butt's Corners, 1838

#3....Jacksonville (Now Mt. Vision) School 1850

#4....Wheeler District (between West Laurens and Otsdawa) 1851

#5....White School House 1842-43
......New Lisbon Centre School

#6....Buck School House
......Burlington Green School House 1846
......Burlington Flats School
......Peet Hook School

#7....Burlington Flats School

#8....West Burlington School 1847-48

#9....Garrattsville School 1844

#10...Pittsfield (Gill now Ball District) 1849-1850

#11...Louisville (Morris village) 1854 with 102 pupils
......The Louisville School was located on what is now the present school's lawn closer to firehouse than the present school building.

#12...Louisville (Morris village) continued

Want to have a look at the full pages of The Morris Chronicle to learn more? Use the links below

https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/
or
http://morris.advantage-preservation.com/

Buck School in New Lisbon. The school that Benjamin Gardner attended as a boy and then became the teacher.

Another view of the Number 8 Buck School with two former students, George Aspinwall and his grandson, Charles Aspinwall in the photo.

A Tribute From a Friend.
to the Editors of the Morris Chronicle

The death of Benjamin C. Gardner, which occurred at his home in New Lisbon on Saturday, July 17th, 1897, removes from that town and the community at large an honored and respected resident and citizen. Mr. Gardner was born in the town of New Lisbon, March 18th, 1816, the third child and only son of Jonathan Gardner who migrated from Vermont to Otsego county in - 1816. All of Benjamin Gardner's long life of more than eighty-one years was lived in the town where he was born and where he died. He was twice married, his first wife being Julia A. Card (a sister of Wm. P. Card of Morris), by whom he had seven children, all sons. Two died in youth, and two, Daniel and George, within a few years past, the latter being killed by falling from & roof while working in Vermont. The others, Lewis, with whom his father resided, and William and Horace of Oneonta, are still living. His first wife died about twenty-three years ago. He afterwards married a widow, Mrs. Nancy Kinney, who died in October, 1892. Mr. Gardner had a most remarkable record as a common school teacher, having been engaged in teaching and school work for fifty-nine consecutive years, teaching during the whole period, except six years when he was school commissioner, and was, without doubt, engaged in teaching more years than any other person in this State. He was first licensed to teach in 1836, when but 20 years of age; later in life a state certificate was issued to him. While a young man he was elected town school inspector, and also town superintendent of schools; and in 1862 was elected school commissioner for the second district of Otsego county, for a term of three years, and was re-elected in 1865.

While commissioner he was commended by the State Superintendent for his zeal and faithfulness, as the trustees' reports showed that he had visited more schools than any other commissioner in the State, he having visited 800 a year.

Domestic in his tastes, he was a kind, affectionate, and indulgent husband and father. Starting in life with very limited means, and with such advantages only as be was able to acquire in a small district school, he arose to such distinction and success as he attained in bis chosen calling by his own energy and industry.

Always an intelligent, intellectual and progressive man, as well a great reader and thinker, Mr Gardner was able to keep well informed on all public questions, and having a strong and retentive memory, he was able to discuss at any time all issues of the day, both on the rostrum and with the pen in a manner at once intelligent and entertaining. As a writer he was captivating and original, while as a speaker he was terse, facetious and logical, and his opinions commanded respect.

He was a man of character and integrity. Always industrious, temperate, and healthy, never having had a physician until his last illness, and he had never lost an hour from his school work during the whole fifty nine years in which he was engaged in it. Hle recently stated that he attributes his mental and physical condition to the fact that he ”never tasted ardent spirits, or used tobacco in any form, or had time to be ill.”

What a rich heritage he leaves. The record of a life industriously spent in teaching and elevating humanity. A noble legacy to those who remain.

In 1937 portions of the Morris Central School district were served by six one room schools shown in the page from the 1937 Morrisanian below. The Buck Schoolhouse was still being used.

Buck Schoolhouse Rd intersects with Otsego County 14 in New Lisbon but there's no sign of the school that used to be at that intersection. It is marked as School #8 on right side of map midway down. What may be the location of Benjamin C. Gardner's home is marked B. Gardner.

He taught in the winter school term and worked his farm during the summer term. He was born in 1816, the year without a summer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Without_a_Summer

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/226656148/benjamin-c-gardner