Notwithstanding this selection, Messrs. Gove and Wheeler did not at once settle upon their tracts. The primeval forests of Garland, indeed, were not broken, except to the slight extent made necessary by the movement of surveyors, for two years afterwards. Then the ground was prospected, lots selected and openings made by sixteen or eighteen persons from the western part of Michigan and from New Hampshire, most of whom became permanent settlers. The first family, however, was brought in June 22, 1802, by Joseph Garland, from his home at Salisbury, New Hampshire. He may be considered as, in some sense, the father of the town, since he brought it to the first family and gave it his name. His family consisted of his wife and three children.
Isaac Wheeler and Josiah Bartlett were also among the earliest settlers.
By the year 1805 there were twelve families in the plantation, and about fifty voters were residents here when the town was incorporated six years later.