Born in Augusta county, Virginia, on January 4, 1818, and was the oldest son of Martin and Magdalene (Mohlpr) Garber, natives also of Virginia. In 1831, the family emigrated westward and located at Bell Fountaine, Logan County, Ohio. He spent his early life on his father's farm. In 1840 he was married to Miss Mary C. Rife, also a native of Virginia, and six years after their marriage immigrated to Iowa and settled in Delaware County, near Colesburg, but about two years afterward located at Elkport, Clayton County, where by frugality and honest industry he accumulated a fine property and model home. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Iowa state legislature. In 1860 he was elected county Judge of Clayton County and 1862 he was chosen as sheriff of Clayton County, and in 1868 was again elected a member of the legislature of his state.

Born in Augusta county, Virginia, on January 4, 1818, and was the oldest son of Martin and Magdalene (Mohlpr) Garber, natives also of Virginia. In 1831, the family emigrated westward and located at Bell Fountaine, Logan County, Ohio. He spent his early life on his father's farm. In 1840 he was married to Miss Mary C. Rife, also a native of Virginia, and six years after their marriage immigrated to Iowa and settled in Delaware County, near Colesburg, but about two years afterward located at Elkport, Clayton County, where by frugality and honest industry he accumulated a fine property and model home. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Iowa state legislature. In 1860 he was elected county Judge of Clayton County and 1862 he was chosen as sheriff of Clayton County, and in 1868 was again elected a member of the legislature of his state.