Archibald Gardner (September 2, 1814 – February 8, 1902) was a 19th-century pioneer and businessman who, with his knowledge of lumber- and grist mills, helped establish communities in Alvinston, Ontario; West Jordan, Utah; and Star Valley, Wyoming.

In his lifetime Archibald built 36 gristmills and lumber mills[1] — 23 in Utah, 6 in Canada, 5 in Wyoming, and 2 in Idaho — greatly benefiting the lives of those in the surrounding areas.

His father, Robert Gardner, operated Black Bull Inn Tavern and rented Gamill Mill where Archibald was born.

Wanting nothing to do with the up rise, Robert Gardner immigrated to Upper Canada (near Port Dalhousie) in 1822 with children William and Mary; the next year the rest of the family joined him.

Six years later Archibald went on his own, moving to Brooke, Kent County, Western District, Canada (later named Alvinston).

Under business pressure and persecution, based on his joining the LDS Church, Gardner sold his Alvinston area mills at a reduced price and sent his family to America.

Knowing his fate if he stayed in Canada, Archibald crossed the cold, icy river resulting in a miraculous escape to the United States.

[1] In St. Louis, Missouri, Archibald met up with his family then traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois, only to find the Latter Day Saints driven out.

After replenishing their packs the Gardner family headed to Winter Quarters where Archibald's daughter Janet died (October 10, 1846).

[3] In June 1847 the family started their trek to the Rocky Mountains in Bishop Hunter's Company arriving October 1, 1847.

[4] Archibald Gardner and his brother Robert planned and began digging a two-and-a-half-mile millrace in West Jordan to provide water power for their Mills.

[3] The west side of Salt Lake Valley had little water flow forcing settlers to build irrigation systems to grow food.

The President of the Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young and his advisers knew the foundation wouldn't sustain the weight of the temple.

[3] His first wife Margaret Livingston intended to divorce him, believing that polygamy was a sinful act until Brigham Young spoke with her.

Due to an unsettled polygamist status after 1882, Archibald was chased by federal agents enforcing anti-polygamy laws.

On his last trip evading federal agents, Archibald visited Mexico, and his brother Robert in southern Utah.

When Althea died in Afton in 1899, Archibald buried her in the Salt Lake cemetery's Gardner family plot.