Family Owned Since 1907
Early Days
Our family's forefathers were farmers from the Flanders region in the Netherlands. Flanders was a region below sea level, and the farmers became skilled in reclaiming swampy land using dikes and canals. When the King of Poland invited the Mennonites to settle in the northern region of Poland, known as the Vistula Delta, they were able to use their expertise to turn the previously unusable land into some of the most fertile farm ground in Eastern Europe. The area was later seized by Prussia, and during this time, the Mennonites started speaking German. Today, many people refer to our heritage as German, Prussian, and even Polish, but it all refers to the small area of land where half of all Mennonites globally can trace their roots back to.
The Mennonites relocated to Prussia to escape the persecution they were facing in the Netherlands and the promise of no military service. They were able to build substantial estates and become quite wealthy over several hundred years. However, towards the end of this period, the new King of Prussia imposed crippling taxes on the Mennonites and withdrew his promise of exemption from military service. This led to the Mennonites leaving Prussia and relocating to other countries, including Canada and the United States.
The Mennonites relocated to Prussia to escape the persecution they were facing in the Netherlands and the promise of no military service. They were able to build substantial estates and become quite wealthy over several hundred years. However, towards the end of this period, the new King of Prussia imposed crippling taxes on the Mennonites and withdrew his promise of exemption from military service. This led to the Mennonites leaving Prussia and relocating to other countries, including Canada and the United States.
Bernhard Harder Sr.
The story of our family's history begins with Bernhard Harder Sr. who was born in West Prussia in 1811. He was raised by his grandparents after his parents passed away and moved in with his uncle when he turned 17. During this time, the Prussian government was restricting Mennonite farmers from acquiring more land, leaving Bernhard with no land or farm of his own. He went to work as a hired hand for a widow named Anna Regier and they eventually got married. After Anna passed away, Bernhard married Agatha Regier and had two sons, and then Justine Bergman with whom he had one more son. It was Bernhard Sr., Justine, and the three boys who eventually moved to America.
Bernhard Sr. was known for being an expert gardener and had planted beautiful gardens in Prussia that were destroyed three times by floods. He replicated these gardens when he moved to Kansas, where he eventually sold his beloved, prosperous farm and garden that he had nurtured for 44 years to join the first group of emigrants leaving West Prussia for America. He did this guided by faith and conscience, selling the farm to create opportunities for his three sons who were approaching military draft age.
During this time, wars were almost constant, and the Mennonites did not wish to participate. Given the restrictive circumstances in West Prussia, Bernhard and six other families began to investigate Russia as a potential new home, but eventually decided against it due to the Russian government's lack of seriousness in granting exemption from military service.
Bernhard and his three sons, along with their families, came to America on a wedding trip but suffered seasickness on the voyage. They landed in New York and divided their group, with seven families going to Halstead, Kansas, where they had relatives. They then looked at land in Kansas and Nebraska but decided to settle in Butler County, Kansas, where they bought six sections of land. They had many challenges to adjust to, including adjusting to new farming techniques and a lack of modern conveniences. Despite the challenges, they appreciated the opportunities America offered and were thankful for their new home.
Bernhard Sr.'s story helps explain the broader context in which our family history evolved. As Mennonites, our ancestors faced persecution in the Netherlands and Prussia, which led to their relocation to Poland and eventually to America. Despite the challenges they faced, our forefathers persevered and relied on their faith to guide them through difficult times.
Bernhard Sr. was known for being an expert gardener and had planted beautiful gardens in Prussia that were destroyed three times by floods. He replicated these gardens when he moved to Kansas, where he eventually sold his beloved, prosperous farm and garden that he had nurtured for 44 years to join the first group of emigrants leaving West Prussia for America. He did this guided by faith and conscience, selling the farm to create opportunities for his three sons who were approaching military draft age.
During this time, wars were almost constant, and the Mennonites did not wish to participate. Given the restrictive circumstances in West Prussia, Bernhard and six other families began to investigate Russia as a potential new home, but eventually decided against it due to the Russian government's lack of seriousness in granting exemption from military service.
Bernhard and his three sons, along with their families, came to America on a wedding trip but suffered seasickness on the voyage. They landed in New York and divided their group, with seven families going to Halstead, Kansas, where they had relatives. They then looked at land in Kansas and Nebraska but decided to settle in Butler County, Kansas, where they bought six sections of land. They had many challenges to adjust to, including adjusting to new farming techniques and a lack of modern conveniences. Despite the challenges, they appreciated the opportunities America offered and were thankful for their new home.
Bernhard Sr.'s story helps explain the broader context in which our family history evolved. As Mennonites, our ancestors faced persecution in the Netherlands and Prussia, which led to their relocation to Poland and eventually to America. Despite the challenges they faced, our forefathers persevered and relied on their faith to guide them through difficult times.
John Harder Sr.
John Harder Sr. was born in 1854 in the Danzig area of Northern Poland, which was then known as West Prussia. He married Marie Regier on May 26, 1876, in Leske, N. Germany, and shortly after, they emigrated to the United States. John arrived in Kansas with his new bride when he was 22 years old. John's father, Bernhard Harder, stepmother, and brothers Gustav and Bernhard accompanied them on the journey. They were part of a group of 200 people who left from the Danzig area and traveled by train to Hamburg before boarding the ship, the "SS Rhineland." The journey to America took 17 days, and they arrived in St. Louis on July 4, 1876, the 100th anniversary of Independence Day.
After settling in Kansas, John and Marie had six children together: Bernhard W., Anna, John Jr., Gerhard, Gustav A., and Edward. Marie passed away in July of 1888, leaving behind children ranging in age from 11 years to 20 months. A year later, John married Marie's sister, Katherine Regier, and they had three more children: Henry C., Justina, and Willie.
John Sr. was a successful farmer and cattle rancher, with 30 horses for harness, several hundred hogs, and 300 cattle. He was also a Christian and a member of the Mennonite church, which organized and built the Emmaus Mennonite Church in 1877. John was well-respected by his peers, and his selfless, happy nature made him not only a good husband and father but also a friend and advisor to many.
John Sr.'s oldest son, Bernhard W. Harder, became a Mennonite minister, and during World War I, he cleverly defused a potentially violent confrontation with an anti-German mob by leading them in singing the patriotic song "America." John Sr. died in 1940, and he and Katherine are buried in the Emmaus Church cemetery northeast of Whitewater, KS.
After settling in Kansas, John and Marie had six children together: Bernhard W., Anna, John Jr., Gerhard, Gustav A., and Edward. Marie passed away in July of 1888, leaving behind children ranging in age from 11 years to 20 months. A year later, John married Marie's sister, Katherine Regier, and they had three more children: Henry C., Justina, and Willie.
John Sr. was a successful farmer and cattle rancher, with 30 horses for harness, several hundred hogs, and 300 cattle. He was also a Christian and a member of the Mennonite church, which organized and built the Emmaus Mennonite Church in 1877. John was well-respected by his peers, and his selfless, happy nature made him not only a good husband and father but also a friend and advisor to many.
John Sr.'s oldest son, Bernhard W. Harder, became a Mennonite minister, and during World War I, he cleverly defused a potentially violent confrontation with an anti-German mob by leading them in singing the patriotic song "America." John Sr. died in 1940, and he and Katherine are buried in the Emmaus Church cemetery northeast of Whitewater, KS.
Gustav A. Harder (GA)
Gustav Harder, also known as G.A. Harder, was a farmer who built the house in the middle of the Harder Farms operations. He was the first generation born in America and had 12 children with his wife Anna, 6 boys and 6 girls. Grandpa Gerhard was born in this house, where all 6 boys shared one bedroom. Gustav was remembered in his obituary as a hardworking man who enjoyed his calling as a farmer and was a cheerful giver. His two goals were to provide his children with spiritual and material well-being.
Gerhard Harder
Gerhard inherited the farm and farm house from his father Gustav (GA) Harder. Gerhard was a farmer and stockman who lived his entire life in Kansas. He was born in 1921 and married Anna Louise Regier in 1945. Together they had six children, and Gerhard was proud of his family and loved spending time with them. He was also a devout Christian and a member of the Emmaus Church, where he enjoyed singing and reading. He had a passion for missions and traveled overseas nearly 20 times to visit family and missionaries. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 98 and was survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Present Day
Richard Harder took over the family farm from his father Gerhard, and with his wife Glenda, had four children. Chris Harder was set to inherit the farm, but unfortunately passed away in a farming accident. As a result, Chris's brother Dave Harder and cousin Alan Braun have taken over the farm's operations.