The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 159 ALFRED R. GARDNER. The Courier-Reporter of Kennewick is one of the foremost newspapers of the Yakima valley, hawing a circulation exceeding eleven hundred, largely in the eastern part of Benton county. Its continued growth must be largely ascribed to Alfred R. Gardner, one of the best known and most successful newspaper men and editors of this part of the state. A native of Oregon, he was born in Wallowa county, January 31, 1884, and is a son of James P. and Mattie J. (Shaver) Gardner. His parents were among the pioneers of Oregon, having removed to that state about 1878 from Kansas by the overland route and having also been among the pioneer fanning people of the Sunflower state. The father was a native of Wisconsin and the mother was born in Kentucky. James P. Gardner died in 1905, but his widow survives and makes her home in Walla Walla, Washington. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout most of his life but in his later years, while at Enterprise, Oregon, he established a private investment and loan business, from which he derived a gratifying income. Allied R. Gardner was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools of his neighborhood and was graduated in such good standing that he received a free scholarship to Whitman Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1905. The printing and publishing business having always held attractions for him, he then began work for the Walla Walla union as a proofreader in 1906 and there remained for four years. In April, 1909, he came to Kennewick and acquired an interest in the Kennewick Reporter, of which he became editor. He formerly had been news editor of the Union and the Statesman of Walla Walla. The Reporter had been founded by Scott Z. Henderson, who is now an attorney of Tacoma, and Mr. Gardner acquired an interest in the paper in June, 1909, later buying it outright. On April l, 1914, he joined the publishers of the Kennewick Courier and incorporated the two papers under the name of the Kennewick Printing Company, E. C. Tripp acting as president and having charge of the printing department. R. E. Reed is vice-president and has charge of the linotype department, while A. R. Gardner is secretary and treasurer, in charge of the editorial department. The Kennewick Courier was established March 27, 1902, and the Reporter, January 24, 1904, the founder of the Courier being E. P. Greene. It was first called the Columbia Courier. Since the consolidation the Courier-Reporter has had a very successful career, its circulation increasing from year to year. It is an eight page, six column weekly, all home print, and has a circulation of eleven hundred, which largely covers the eastern part of Benton county. In its editorial policy it has always stood for progress and development and its editorials have ever excited favorable comment because of their trenchant, forceful style and have done much good in bringing about improvements. The news columns are lively and interesting and there is seldom an item of interest that is overlooked by the editorial department. It is a readable home paper, which fact is evident in that it finds its way to eleven hundred families. The equipment of the Courier-Reporter is thoroughly modern and up-to-date, including the most improved linotypes and presses and other appurtenances pertaining to the modern printing and publishing establishment. On May 24, 1908, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Kirkland, of Enterprise, Oregon, a daughter of A. P. and Louise (Clarke) Kirkland, both Oregon pioneers, the latter a native of that state, while the former removed there while yet a boy. To Mr. and Mrs. Gardner has been born one child, Jean, three years of age. Mr. Gardner is always interested in progress and development, which he not only promotes through his newspaper, but he also serves as secretary of the Commercial Club of Kennewick, of which he is an ex-president. In his political affiliations he is a republican, steadfastly standing for the principles of the party but without ambition for office. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the principles of brotherhood underlying this organization guide him in his conduct toward his fellowmen. Mr. Gardner must be considered one of the most valuable citizens of his part of the state, doing much toward making it a better place in which to live. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.