GARDINER FULTON CORSON was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1859 to Henry Corson and his wife, the former Maria Shock. He was the youngest of five children in the family when the census was taken in 1860. His older siblings were Ellen, John, Mary, and Harry J. Corson. Gardner Corson was still living with his parents in Philadelphia when the Census was taken in 1880. He was then working in a cutlery factory. Besides Gardner, older brother Harry and a younger sister, E. Lillie Corson were living at home. Brother John Corson, a painter, had by then moved to Camden, New Jersey. 

By 1887 Gardiner Corson had come to Camden. City Directories from 1887 through 1895 show him living at 432 Bridge Avenue, working as a painter.. 

Gardiner Corson began living with Clara Scattergood around 1891. A daughter, Rena, was born in 1891. Another daughter, Edna, came in May of 1893. The 1896 and 1897 City Directories both list Gardiner Corson at 406 Bridge Avenue. The 1898 and 1899 City Directories shows Gardiner Corson at 412 Mickle Street. When the Census was taken in 1900 the Corson family was living in a rented house at 424 Mickle Street in Camden, New Jersey. Gardner Corson was then working as a house painter. The Corsons eventually purchased this house.

On October 26, 1912 at New Castle, Delaware Gardiner Corson and Clara Scattergood, who had been together for over 21 years, were formally married.

On November 27, 1907 Gardner Corson was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. Gardner Corson served through at least 1926. By 1929 he had retired on pension.

Gardner Corson was still living at 424 Mickle Street in 1931. He passed away not long afterwards.