Register of the Hamilton Gardner Papers,

Hamilton Gardner was an attorney, politician, civic leader, Army officer and historian. Gardner was born 4 January 1888, in West Jordan, Utah, a son of James H. and Rhoda (Huffaker) Gardner. He attended local secondary schools and spent several years at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Later he served three years in missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Germany and Austria-Hungary. After being released from his mission he traveled widely through Italy, Greece and the Holy Land, being exposed to many other cultures and peoples. These experiences and those in the wars he would later serve in, contributed to a growing patriotism for his native country and concern over a perceived threat to it by other powers.

Returning to Utah, Gardner entered the University of Utah, where he was president of the student body in his senior year, graduating in 1913 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Gardner was the grandson of a prominent Utah pioneer, Archibald Gardner, and early on became interested in the history of his family and the state they helped colonize. During his college years he made several attempts to write that history. His nascent literary talents found their first real expression with the publication of a history of the city of Lehi, Utah, where his father resided and where he was reared (History of Lehi, Salt Lake City: The Deseret News Press, 1913).

Soon after graduation from the University of Utah Gardner travelled East and entered Harvard University where he obtained an LL.B. degree in 1917. While at Harvard, in conjunction with his law studies, he continued to pursue a growing interest in the history of relations between the Mormons and the Federal government and published several articles on the subject in University's journal.

As Gardner was finishing his studies at Harvard, the United States became committed to the growing conflict in Europe. In April 1917 he began a long and distinguished military career when he volunteered for service in the United States Army. He received a commission in the Field Artillery, underwent training at several different camps, and in July 1918 embarked for France as a Captain in the 346th Artillery 91st Division. He served in France until February 1919 when he returned with his unit to the United States and was soon after released from active duty.

But Gardner's military service was not over. Following the war he helped develop the Utah National Guard and was promoted to Major of Cavalry in 1921. In 1926 he was promoted to Colonel and received command of his unit, the 222nd Field Artillery. Colonel Gardner commanded the unit until 1937 when he resigned. Considering his keen interest in and contributions to the Guard, the resignation was surprising to many, and his specific reasons are today vague. He indicated in a letter of resignation "I deeply regret severing my connection with the guard, because for 16 years I have been intensely interested, not only in the progress of my own regiment, but in the advancement of the national defense as a whole. But under the present setup of the national guard, I do not choose to serve any longer." The Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard stated that Gardner was noted for his outstanding ability, and it was with great reluctance that he accepted the resignation.

Following his return from the war, Gardner also began a successful law practice in Salt Lake City, being admitted to the Bar on 7 April 1919. In addition to building his practice he became a member of the University of Utah Law faculty and served as a member of the Utah State University Board of Trustees for several years. His political and academic accomplishments brought him national prominence following World War II when he accepted a position as an attorney for the National Labor Relations Board.

He also became active in various civic groups, bringing to expression the conservative, patriotic ideology of a die-hard Republican heritage and experience as an old-school Army officer. Ever since his travels through Europe he had been keenly aware of the world's vital problems and, in his words, "promoting one hundred percent Americanism." With that spirit Gardner was active in the organization of the American Legion in Utah and was elected its first commander.

Hamilton Gardner's grandfather, Bishop Archibald Gardner (noted Mormon pioneer and mill builder), had been a member of the Territorial Legislature; his father, James Hamilton Gardner, also figured prominently in Utah politics, serving as mayor and city council member of Lehi, commissioner of Utah County and a State Representative. Considering Hamilton's heritage and experience and concern with civic affairs, it was natural that he follow his father's and grandfather's lead. He served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives during 1925- 1926 (concurrently with his father) and the Utah State Senate 1927-1930 (serving as President of the Senate during 1929-1930). He continued his involvement with politics throughout his life.Gardner served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives during 1925-1926 (concurrently with his father) and the Utah State Senate 1927-1930 (serving as President of the Senate during 1929-1930).

Mr. Gardner never lost interest in his pioneer heritage and Utah history. Probably as a result of his experiences in the Army, he was particularly fascinated with Utah's military history during the territorial period. Specifically, he studied and wrote about the Mormon Battalion, the Utah War (1857-1861) Johnston's Army, and some of the prominent military and political figures of that era.

Following retirement, during the 1950s, Mr. Gardner began to pursue his writing in earnest. His dedication resulted in a move to Cambridge, Massachusetts where he spent his remaining years scouring Eastern archives and repositories for information to use in his books and articles. Gardner was a meticulous researcher; his voluminous notes reveal a passion for thoroughness. Since Gardner had no family at home, he filled his life with his work. But he passed away in 1961 (age 73) in Boston, with much of that work yet to be completed.

The majority of the collection consists of draft manuscripts and related rough notes; there are virtually no personal papers that would document Gardner's private life, which is, as a result, somewhat of a mystery. There are two brief compilations of genealogy on the Barnum (his maternal line) and the Gardner families. Although the information on his ancestors is good (a Scottish ancestry traced back to 1700), the information on Hamilton Gardner himself is very sketchy. Many of his manuscripts have been published. In the first folder, there is a bibliography of published works by Hamilton Gardner which can be compared to the inventory.

The majority of the first two boxes contain correspondence, most of which relates to the research and writing of the manuscripts in the collection. There are a great many routine letters to various repositories requesting information or copies, letters to publishers, answers to inquiries about his research and the like. The bulk of his correspondence was removed from folders containing the manuscripts to which the letters related. It was then organized chronologically for easier access and analysis of his ongoing work.

Boxes 2 through 7 contain drafts of his major works. The first is The Utah Expedition, an exhaustive monograph on the Utah War (1857-1861). The second, and related work, is The Utah Territorial Militia, which examines the history and organization of the militia which opposed Johnston's army during the Utah War. A third, and again related manuscript, is the Biography of Philip St. George Cooke, the Army officer who led the Mormon Battalion and later assumed command of Camp Floyd. These three major manuscripts make up the bulk of the collection. They are organized sequentially by chapter, with the chapter titles given in the inventory.

In boxes 9 and 10 there is a section of miscellaneous manuscripts. These are articles on various topics related to the period of the Utah War. There are also draft outlines and a folder on "possible articles to be written." Continuing in box 10 and 12 are notes and bibliographies collected during Gardner's research in Eastern archives. These notes are organized alphabetically by the name of the collections researched.

In his studies, Gardner also consulted many secondary works. There is a vast quantity of bibliographic material in the collection (boxes 12 and 13). In addition, there are notes from various published works (on many subjects) and notes on various persons and events (from many different sources). They are organized in alphabetical order accordingly. The final box (Box 14) contains a collection of documents pertaining to his primary subjects such as maps, military circulars, appointment certificates, copies of orders and letter, etc. This material is itemized in the inventory.

Restrictions on Access:

Restrictions on Access

Arrangement:

Creator:

Gardner, Hamilton, 1888-1961.

Language:

English.

Sponsor:

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Quantity:

14 boxes (7 linear ft.)

Language of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written in Englishin Latin script

EAD Creation Date:

1999.