Oliver Roberts Frederick, or O.R. Frederick as he was more commonly known, was born on 28 September in 1866 to John and Isabella Frederick. While we do know he was born in Wisconsin, we are unsure exactly where. Evidence indicates it may have been in the area of Belmont, which is where they stayed prior to moving to Iowa following his birth.

O.R. spent most of his life farming, first on the family farm near Corning, Iowa, and then near Glennie, Michigan where he partnered with his son on the farm there.

O.R. married Mary Elmira Towner in Corning, Iowa on 29 December, 1887. From their marriage they had one son, John Towner Frederick. In 1920 O.R. and Mary sold the farm in Corning and moved to Michigan to join their son on his farm there. O.R. spent the rest of his life there on the farm until his passing on 17 January, 1959. Mary preceeded him death on 11 April, 1939.