Abraham B. Gardner graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Union College and pursued a career in law and business, becoming an attorney and business owner in Bennington, Vermont. He held various roles in public service, including Register of Probate, State's Attorney, and Banking Commissioner. Gardner served in the Vermont House of Representatives, where he was Speaker from 1863 to 1865, and later as Lieutenant Governor. His experience in state banking regulation and local business leadership highlights his expertise in economic and infrastructural development.

Abraham B. Gardner’s political career reveals a strategic blend of local business interests with state-level regulatory advocacy, suggesting a nuanced approach to economic policy. His simultaneous leadership in infrastructure projects and support for state banking regulation indicates an ability to balance regional development with financial oversight. Gardner’s rhetorical style likely emphasizes pragmatic localism, leveraging his business acumen to frame state policies in terms of community benefit. This juxtaposition of roles hints at an underlying philosophy that seeks to harmonize economic growth with regulatory prudence.