From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 839.
Town of Holland
ALFERD GAARDER, farmer, Sec. 31; P. O. Holmen; was born in Norway in January, 1841; came to La Crosse Co. with his parents; his father died in 1858, his mother died in 1862; he went to Colorado in the spring of 1860, then to Montana in 1863; returned to La Crosse Co. 1868. He now owns 160 acres of fine land, with good house, a barn 30x56 feet, basement stable, 16-foot posts, wagon-shed and other buildings in fine shape. His wife, Mary Hanson, was born in Dane Co., in 1849; they married in 1869, and have three children - Lillie May, born Oct. 27, 1875; Kilmer O., born June 28, 1877; John Garfield, born May 12, 1880. Has been Clerk and Director of Schools, and member of Town Board two years.
[I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!]