1685 - 1899
Family Timeline
Three centuries of Garr family history, the births, the journeys, the homesteads, and the moments that defined a family.
Andreas Gaar Born
📍 Illenschwang, Bavaria
Andreas Gaar is born in Illenschwang, Bavaria, Germany, the earliest documented patriarch of the American Garr family line.
The Voyage to America
📍 Bavaria → Virginia
Andreas Gaar and his wife Eve Seidelmann emigrate from Bavaria, crossing the Atlantic to begin a new life in the American colonies.
Settlement in Virginia
📍 Orange County, Virginia
The Gaar family settles in Orange County, Virginia, establishing roots that would eventually branch across the entire nation.
Abel Weaver Garr Born
Abel Weaver Garr is born, destined to become one of the most notable figures in the Utah branch of the family.
Fielding Garr Ranch Established
📍 Antelope Island, Utah
Fielding Garr is tasked by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to establish a ranch on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake to manage church tithing herds.
The Winter of Survival
📍 Antelope Island, Utah
Teenage Abel Weaver Garr and his brother endure a harsh winter alone in a small hut on Antelope Island, caring for the cattle herd, a testament to the family's grit.
Fielding Garr Passes Away
After Fielding Garr's death, his sons carry forward the family legacy, moving to Cache Valley to establish new homesteads.
Pioneers of Millville
📍 Millville, Utah
John T., William H., Abel W., and Benjamin F. Garr become among the earliest settlers of Millville, Utah, establishing the Elkhorn Ranch in Cache Valley.
The Command Performance
📍 Antelope Island, Utah
The "Garr Boys" are called upon by Brigham Young to demonstrate their expert horsemanship to prominent visitors on Antelope Island, showcasing skills honed through years of ranch life.
Family Genealogy Published
Dr. John Wesley Garr publishes a comprehensive genealogy tracing the family line back to Andreas Gaar, preserving the family history for future generations.
Abel Weaver Garr Passes Away
Abel Weaver Garr dies at 75, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer, rancher, and one of Utah's most resilient early settlers.
The story continues...