OLE O. GARDER, of Rock Grove Township, came to this county in September , 1842, and soon afterward purchased 275 acres of land which had not long before been entered by the oldest settler in that locality, a Mr. Baker. The latter, however, it seems had grown disheartened over his western venture, and after breaking about thirty acres and putting up a log cabin had relinquished it to younger and more courageous hands. Our subject on taking possession of his property proceeded at once to the building up of a homestead, in which he has admirably succeeded, as the premises now abundantly testify.

Mr. Garder and his family occupied the primitive log cabin which he found on his land until the year following his arrival here, when he erected a more pretentious dwelling, although this latter was of logs. He occupied it about nine years and then put up his present residence, which is of a tasteful and substantial character, and has fully answered the purposes for which it was intended. The main barn was added ten years ago, and other out-buildings have been constructed as he found time and as his means justified. Mr. Garder first purchased the claim and afterward entered his land from the Government. The nearest market at that time was at the lead mines around Galena, to which the farm produce was laboriously transported with ox-teams. After he had become the proud possessor of a team of horses he conveyed his grain to Milwaukee and Chicago. In this way he labored and managed for a number of years until the construction of the railroad enhanced the value of property and rendered the labors of the farmers less laborious and expensive.

The early life of our subject was spent in a home on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Neumedal District, Norway, where his birth took place Sept. 18, 1815. His father, Ole K. Garder, was also of Norwegian birth and parentage, and spent his entire life in his native land, where he farmed and dealt in live-stock, and rested from his labors at the advanced age of eighty-three years. The mother had died before the decease of her husband, when seventy-three years old. Ole O., who was twenty-seven years of age when he came to this country, lived with his parents until reaching his majority, and for eight years following was engaged in peddling dry goods. Upon his arrival in this country he remained in New York City for a short time and then proceeded westward by canal and lake to Milwaukee, and there required a team to convey himself and family to Rock Grove Township. His subsequent course we have already indicated.

Mr. Garder was married in his native country April 11, 1842, a short time before emigrating to America, to Miss Carried L., daughter of L. O. Quiegley. Mrs. G. is a native of the same district as her husband, and was born in 1819, being consequently about twenty-three years of age at the time of her marriage. This union resulted in the birth of nine children; two are deceased and the others are located as follows: Ole E. is married and a resident of Cloud County, Kan., where he is engaged in farming; he for a time carried on merchandising at Clinton, Wis. Betsey is the wife of K. Swenington, who rents the farm of his father-in-law, our subject, on shares; Lydia married Jacob Baker, a farmer located near Durand, Ill.; Helen, the wife of Nels Patterson, is a resident of Davis, where her husband is engaged as a stock-dealer; Carrie died July 4, 1885, when thirty-seven years of age, having received fatal injuries by a runaway team; Jennie is at home with her parents; Louis is farming in Republic County, Kan., where he owns a tract of land; he was married to Miss Sarah Wilke. Anna, the wife of H. Dielset, died after the birth of her third child, when twenty-five years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Garder, like their parents before them, are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church. Our subject early in life affiliated with the Democratic party, then became a Free-soiler, and is now Republican in politics. He keeps himself thoroughly posted upon the events of the day, is enthusiastic in the defense of his political principles, reads extensively, and possesses more than ordinary intelligence.

Contributed by Carole Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. 1888