At six years of age his parents moved to the American West (Nebraska), where they remained for seven years, returning in the year 1896. Nebraska was unfortunately in worse shape than southwestern Ontario, experiencing drought and dust storms. The experiences of these years in the neighbouring Republic would undoubtedly have real educational value for the growing lad. For some time after his return he worked on occasion with the neighbouring farmers receiving twelve and fifteen dollars per month. The farmers with whom he worked testify that he was a jolly boy, fond of fun, a lover of books and a hard worker.
At the age of seventeen he joined a homestead excursion and went to Manitoba where during the winter he did chores for his board on his Uncle's farm at Clearwater. Here his ambition showed itself. Though much beyond the age when most other young men had quit school, he applied for admission into the Continuation school taught by the son of the late Premier Greenway of Manitoba and commenced study there January 1st, 1902. By August 1904 he had secured a school at Alpha. After teaching a year and a half he entered Manitoba University where he secured his B.A. degree with honors in 1911.
While at the University he won distinction as an orator and debater. On one occasion he won a silver cup emblematic of the College championship, and on another occasion a gold medal in competition with seven others. He led the Universities International Debating team against North Dakota University obtaining the highest marking of any participant. He was also chosen to deliver the Valedictory address of his year.
After leaving college he became Principal of the Lemberg Continuation School. While here he took the platform in 1911 in the interests of the Reciprocity Candidate in Saltcoats, Hon. Thos. McNutt, and did much to win him the election. A year and a half later he entered politics on his own behalf. On December 23rd, 1913, he was chosen Liberal candidate for the constituency of North QuAppelle and was elected.
He was an MLA in Saskatchewan from 1914 to 1935 and an MP in Ottawa from 1935 to 1958. When defeated in 1958 he had served as Minister of Agriculture for 22 years and spent 44 years in elected governments, winning in that time seven elections. From the time he entered the legislature he was recognized as one of its ablest speakers. When Hon. C.A. Dunning formed his first government in the spring of 1922, Mr. Gardiner was taken into the Cabinet as Minister of Highways and Minister in charge of the Bureau of Labor and Industries. He continued holding these positions until 1926. On the retirement of Mr. Dunning from the Provincial Premiership to enter the Federal Cabinet Jimmy Gardiner was unanimously chosen by the Liberal Convention to be Dunning's successor.
As Premier his native astuteness, vision and desire to render signal service to the Province were translated into measures and activities which enhanced Saskatchewan's already high position among Canadian Provinces. The long list of advanced social services was augmented, while the long record of efficient administration was rendered even more conspicuous. Such was his capacity for work, that, in addition to his duties as Premier he assumed the Portfolio of Provincial Treasurer. Under his leadership the Province enjoyed a period of industrial expansion, while its financial record made its reputation high in the money markets of the world.
He retained the Premiership until 1929. In the elections of this year the Liberals formed the largest group, but as Conservatives and the Progressive Party united, the Liberals were unable to hold power. For five years he led the Opposition in the Legislature. In 1934 the Liberal Party swept the Province, not one government candidate being returned. As leader of the Party he again became Premier. In 1935 when the Liberal Party won the Federal elections and Mackenzie King was called to form a cabinet Mr. Gardiner was invited to be Minister of Agriculture for the Dominion of Canada, which position he accepted, and held until the Liberal Government was defeated in 1957.
On his accession to the Premiership of Saskatchewan, Mr. Gardiner was honored by his Alma Mater, the Manitoba University, with the honorary degree of L.L.D.
After entering the Provincial Legislature, Mr. Gardiner purchased a farm near Lemberg, Sask. Here the family lived for four years, when, on entering the Government of Saskatchewan they moved into Regina, where he purchased a house. Here they lived for eleven years. On his appointment as Federal Minister they moved to Ottawa where they lived at 211 Clemow Ave. Mr. Gardiner was Federal Minister of Agriculture from 1935 until 1957 - a record length for any Canadian to hold one post. From 1940-41 Mr. Gardiner served as Minister of National War Services, in addition to the Agriculture ministry.
Mr. Gardiner went to Balmoral Castle over a week end in September 1947 when most of the Royal Family, including Princess Juliana of the Netherlands were with the King and Queen. He was invited there to receive from the King, George VI, his appointment as a British Privy Councillor, in recognition of his services on the Combined Food Board during the Second World War.
On December 25th, Christmas Day, 1917, Mr. Gardiner married Violet, daughter of John F. MacEwen of Craik, Sask. Mrs. Gardiner was born two and a half miles West of St. Elmo, Stormont County, where Ralph Connor was born, and his father preached for many years. They had four children, Edwin, Florence, Wilfrid and Beth.
The Church had a very central place in their lives. Before the Union they were active members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Gardiner acted as an Elder in Lemberg. In 1924, when the union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches was formed in Toronto, he was one of the representatives of the General Council of Local Union Churches. On this occasion Mr. Gardiner took with him his eldest daughter, Florence, who was then but three years of age.
As members of the United Church the family in Ottawa were actively associated with the Glebe United Church. He, and his wife and family were regular church attendants. They have been members of the I.O.O.F. and Rebekah Lodge respectively. As a Kiwanian Mr. Gardiner has attained international fame.
Violet died in 1944 and in 1946 Mr.Gardiner married the widow of a long-time family friend, Maud Scott Christie. Maud's first husband, Dr. H.H. Christie was a family physician in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan and a close political and personal friend of Mr. Gardiner. James Garfield Gardiner died on January 12, 1962.
James Garfield Gardiner was a teacher, farmer and politician. He was influenced by early poverty and doctrinaire training in liberalism at Manitoba College, and faith in individual effort. He believed a government minister should be fully responsible and believed frankly in patronage. Loyalty to his leaders was one of Gardiner's most striking characteristics. he believed that no true liberal could accept the coercion implicit in conscription. Coalition, socialism, co-operatives, church union, protection, drinking or swearing had a right and wrong side, and a Liberal took the right.
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