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 ILLIAM H. GALBREATH, Sr., one of the
honored pioneers of Ashmore Township,
came to Coles County in March, 1831,
locating on section 23, which he has since made his
home. He has resided fifty-six years in this township, and during the long period of resilience in
this county has identified himself with the interests of its people. His kindly Christian character commended him to their respect and esteem
long years ago, and his straightforward method of
doing business has placed him among the representative citizens of Central Illinois. Our subject was born in Nichols County, Ky., Aug. 17, 1809, and is a descendant of excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry. His parents, William and Phebe (Foreman) Galbreath, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and the father served as Captain of a pack-horse company in the Revolutionary War, for a period of seven years. He was one of the guards placed over Cornwallis at Valley Forge and most of the time was under the immediate command of Gen. Washington. In consequence of the exposure and hardships which he endured, he contracted a disease from which he never fully recovered, but lived, however, to the advanced age of eighty-three years. After the independence of the Colonists had been established, he retired to the rural districts of Berks County, where he engaged in farming, and where his death took place in 1833. William Galbreath, Sr., was married in the city of Philadelphia in about 1796, his wife being but sixteen years of age. She was born in 1781, and reared in the Quaker City, was of excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry, and with her husband was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her death took place in Coles County, in 1849. The children of William and Phebe Galbreath were named respectively, Fannie, John, Mary A., Sarah, Phebe, William, Robert, James, John and William. The two latter died in infancy. William H. Galbreath was born in Berks County, Pa., and received a common-school education in the Keystone State. Early in life he began to make himself useful around his father’s homestead and as soon as possible went into the cornfield and held the plow. He removed to Kentucky and not long afterward to Indiana, whence in 1829 he came to Edgar County, Ill., and engaged in farming, and two years later came to this county where he established his permanent home. Among the other important arrangements which Mr. Galbreath was perfecting, in order to complete the outfit of his future abode, was the securing unto himself a wife and helpmeet, to assist him in his dilficulties and rejoice with him in his prosperity. The maiden whom he had chosen for this important position was Miss Louisa Lashbrooks, to whom he was married at her home in Scott County, Ind., Nov 4, 1830. This wedding was one of the notable events of that section, as were all weddings and births at that period, when life flowed on in an uneventful manner and there was little to amuse the settlers besides their own private and personal affairs. Mrs. Galbreath was born in Spencer County, Ky., June 14. 1-S1 1, and like her husband was of Scotch-Irish blood. She came from an excellent family, her mother having been Miss Elliott, a first cousin to the noted Gen. Lee, late of the Southern Confederacy. William H. and Louisa Galbreath became the parents of eleven children, viz.: Sarah E., who married John Newberry, of Tennessee; they have two children Mary L. and William B.; Thomas, now deceased; John, who married Miss Paulina Clark; George W., who married Miss Fiette Icenhour; Phebe F., Mrs John C. Mitchell; Gideon F., who married Miss Frances H. Brooks, and William B., deceased; Millird, Ann, James H., Pembrook, also deceased. William B. possessed more than ordinary ability and became prominent in the political affairs of Central Illinois. In 1884 he was elected to the State Senate on the Democratic ticket, but had only served one session when his death took place. Mr. Galbreath has a snug farm of eighty acres, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation and provided with convenient and substantial buildings. He assisted his children in their settlement in life, and has always possessed that large heart and liberal disposition which have induced him to lend a helping hand to the needy whenever it was in his power. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, in 1832, and since that time has been a stanch adherent to the Democratic party. He was one of the Trustees of Ashmore Township for a period of twelve years, and no man in this county has been more deeply interested in noting its advancement and welfare. Mrs. Galbreath has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since 1850. Mr. Galbreath never connected himself with any church, but has aimed to shape his life in accordance with the principles of the Golden Rule, and in which, those who know him best claim that he has succeeded admirably. |
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