Irving Roselle Gardinier, a substantial and highly esteemed citizen of Utica, has been successfully engaged in the automobile business on his own account for the past sixteen years, conducting his interests under the name of the I. R. Gardinier Motor Company at Nos. 1711 and 1713 Genesee street, where he owns one of the most attractive and up-to-date establishments of the kind in the country. He was born at Danube, Herkimer county, New York, on the 28th of March, 1869, and represents one of the old and honored families of the Mohawk valley. His parents, William H. and Ellen (Devendorf) Gardinier, were natives of the same place, the former born on July 5, 1845, and the latter on May 3, 1848. Both the Gardinier and Devendorf families are of Holland Dutch lineage. William H. Gardinier, whose ancestors were living in America prior to 1650, is a descendant of Captain Jacob Gardinier, who won fame in the battle of Oriskany during the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mrs. Ellen (Devendorf) Gardinier was a Walrath, whose ancestors also participated in the struggle for American independence. One was noted as a sharpshooter who demonstrated his ability in killing an Indian whom he caught in the attempt to set fire to the old church located at Indian Castle, in the township of Danube, Herkimer county, this state.
Irving R. Gardinier obtained his early education in District School No. 9, in the town of Danube, Herkimer county, New York, and as a youth of sixteen entered the Little Falls Academy at Little Falls, this state, from which institution he was graduated three years later, in 1888. He then pursued a year's postgraduate course and subsequently attended Colgate University of Hamilton, New York. In 1889, while a college student, he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, of which he has since been a member. Mr. Gardinier spent the first sixteen years of his life at the place of his nativity, and in 1885 removed to Little Falls, where he continued to reside until August, 1898, since which time he has made his home in Utica. When his education was completed he engaged in the farm implement, wagon, harness and sporting goods business in Little Falls until he left that city in 1898 to enter the employ of Charles H. Childs & Company of Utica, in the service of which concern he remained for a decade, being first in charge of the retail bicycle department, next of the carriage department, and in 1903 accepting sole charge and management of the company's automobile business, in which it was then engaged. On September 28, 1908, Mr. Gardinier severed his connection with Charles H. Childs & Company to embark in the automobile business on his own account, and in this field of activity he has since met with a gratifying and well deserved measure of success. His property at Nos. 1711 and 1713 Genesee street, in Utica, which represents the result of many years' experience, has become nationally known as one of the most beautiful and modern of the kind in the country.
On the 30th of June, 1891, at Little Falls, New York, Mr. Gardinier was united in marriage to Miss Jennie R. Traber, who was born in Seward, Schoharie county, this state, on November 25, 1868, her parents being Jacob and Mary L. (VanPatten) Traber, the former also a native of Seward, New York, while the latter was born near Worcester, Otsego county, this state. Both Mr. and Mrs. Traber are deceased. Jacob Traber was descended from Mohawk Dutch ancestry, the first of the name in America settling near Guilderland in the early days. His wife, Mrs. Mary L. Traber, was of Holland Dutch and English lineage. Her English ancestor, Samuel Freeman, came to America from England in 1630, traditions stating that "he owned one-seventh part of the township of Watertown, being a proprietor". Mr. and Mrs. Gardinier are the parents of two daughters: Ethel Marguerite and Hazel Ellen, the latter the wife of Donald Sayles Heron of Utica, New York.
Mr. Gardinier gives his political allegiance to the republican party, the men and measures of which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. When seventeen or eighteen years of age he joined the First Baptist church of Little Falls, but subsequently transferred his membership to the Tabernacle Baptist church of Utica. His wife belongs to the Tabernacle Baptist Church Women's Societies and is also a member of the New Century Club of Utica. Both enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance in their adopted city. Mr. Gardinier has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.