- O. P. GAARDER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Spring Valley
Township, now residing on section
- 25, was born near the home where he is now living. His father,
Peter H. GAARDER, was born in Norway in 1799, and married Randena
OLSESON. The children born of their union were: Ingburg, who
became the wife of S. O. HESLA, a native of Norway, who is now
engaged in the occupation of farming in Allamakee County, Iowa;
Hans, who was born in Norway in the year 1834, married Carrie
HUSEMAN, and is now a resident farmer of Worth County, Iowa;
Karen, who was born in Norway and engaged in farming, wedded
S. O. NARUM, and his death occurred March 27, 1889, leaving a
widow, who still resides in Allamakee County, Iowa; Olina married
K. B. THON, and died in June, 1867; Andrew P. now makes his home
with the subject of our sketch. When Peter GAARDER came to Rock
County, the nearest market of any importance was Milwaukee, to
which place farm products were hauled with ox teams. He engaged
in agricultural pursuits, and in 1854 built a stone residence,
hauling the lumber and shingles necessary for the work from a
distance of seventy-five miles. He can remember when a trip to
Iowa seemed as great an undertaking as would now a journey around
the world.
- The subject of this sketch received his education in the
public schools of Rock County, and was
- reared to manhood upon his father's farm. On the 20th day
of February, 1868, he led to the marriage altar Miss Anna HUSEMON,
who was born in Newark. Their union has been blessed with the
following children: Nellie, who was born Jan. 30, 1869; Perry
E., Aug. 5, 1871; Bertha, Nov. 23, 1873; Ida, June 7, 1876; Arthur,
Dec. 28, 1880; Luella, Oct. 13, 1883; and Otto, May 4, 1886.
- Mr. GAARDER made his first purchase of land in 1874, which
was a brother's share of the old
- homestead, and now comprises the farm on which he yet resides.
The land was but partly improved, but he has since placed the
whole under cultivation, and has now one of the fine farms of
the township. All the improvements necessary for a well-regulated
farm have been made, and everything about the place indicates
thrift and enterprise.
- The parents of Mr. GAARDER are both now deceased. The death
of the father occurred on his
- farm on section 36, Spring Valley Township - his first purchase
of land in this county - he dying on the 15th of May, 1875, at
the age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1882. They were
highly respected people, and many friends mourned their loss.
They were both Christian people, having been reared in the Lutheran
faith, in which they both continued until they were called away.
Mr. GAARDER and his excellent lady are both members of the Lutheran
Church at Newark. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican
party.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 818
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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