Artimus A. Gardner (1833-1904) was born in Portlandville, New York, and died in Lost Nation, Iowa. He married Lavancia D. Wood in 1853, and they farmed together until his death. He was elected Representative from Clinton County of the 17th General Assembly in 1877 and held different offices in the township and county, including county superintendent. He was the brother-in-law of John N. Wood, who wrote to Mary Baker Eddy in 1885 about Gardner's interest in Christian Science. However, there is no record of Gardner studying with Mary Baker Eddy or joining The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.

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