Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
ROBERT W. GAILEY. Among the lumber
dealers of Garnett, the best known in the
building trade, one who may be mentioned
as of special prominence, is Robert W. Gailey, who established his lumber yards in this city
in 1889. He keeps constantly on hand a large
stock of dressed lumber and building materials
and is prepared to furnish at short notice almost
anything in that line required by a contractor,
and is one of the most popular dealers in this part
of the country among the large mass of contractors
and builders. Handling nothing but first-class
goods, he fills all orders with the greatest care and
with the utmost promptness, and those entrusting
bills to him are always confident that they will receive the very best material, cut to use with the
utmost economy, and at prices which defy competition.
Mr. Gailey is a native of Pennsylvania, born in
Perry County, fourteen miles northwest of Harrisburg October 26, 1838, and is a son of Alexander
and Mary (White) Gailey. the name of Gailey
originated in this manner: Many generations ago
a Scotchman by the name of Buchanan won a
purse in a boxing contest. The money he was
to receive was spread out on the lea (meadow),
and as he walked over the same the people
called out "Gay Lea," and he was ever afterward known as Gailey. Three of his sons emigrated to the North of Ireland and from them have
descended the Gaileys of to-day. The grandfather of our subject, Andrew Gailey, accompanied
by his brother, Alexander Gailey, came from the
North of Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania.
Alexander Gailey never married; he was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, and lived to be
one hundred and two years of age. Grandfather
Gailey was a farmer, and resided in Perry County,
Pa., nearly all his life, passing his last days, however, with a daughter residing in Washington
County, Pa. He was about eighty-five years of
age at the time of his death, and was a worthy
member of the Presbyterian Church. His family
consisted of two sons and two daughters. Barbara
married James Gailey and died in Indiana. Robert
died in Wayne County, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming. Alexander was the father of
our subject; and Jane married John Murray and
now resides in Pana, Ill.
Alexander Gailey was born in Perry County,
Pa., June 10, 1792, and was married in that county
to Miss Mary White. He followed the peaceful
pursuit of farming and met with good success in
that calling. He also owned a sawmill, which he
conducted in connection with farming for many
years. When advanced in years he removed to
Kansas and passed the remainder of his days in
Garnett, his death occurring April 28, 1890. The
mother is also deceased. Both were members of
the Presbyterian Church at one time, but later
they united with the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Gailey was a Democrat in early life, later member of the American party, and when the Re-
publican party was formed he rallied to its standard. Eight children were born to this most estimable couple, as follows: Margaret D., now residing
in Garnett, became the wife of Alexander Garrett,
and removed from Pennsylvania to Kansas in
1857. They first settled in Franklin County and
later in Anderson County, where her husband was
accidentally killed. Elizabeth W. married Rev.
James N. Smith and resides near Garnett. Mr.
Smith is one of the pioneer ministers of the United
Presbyterian Church in Kansas. Barbara resides
in Garnett. Andrew W. was a farmer, and resided in Perry County, Pa., for many years. His
death occurred in Washington County, that state.
Catherine H. resides in Garnett; Mary J. married
Rev. J. H. Adair, a minister in the United Presbyterian Church, and
now resides in Missouri; Robert W., our subject, and James A. complete the
number. The latter was at one time a farmer, but
later he became a druggist and died in Garnett.
The original of this sketch was reared on a farm
and received a common-school education. Until
1867 he remained under the parental roof, after
which he came to Kansas and purchased eighty
acres. The year previous to this, while in Kansas on a visit, he purchased eighty acres, so that
when locating here he has one hundred and sixty
acres of land. This land was but little improved,
there being a log cabin and an orchard on it, but he
began making improvements and engaged actively
in farming and stock-raising. In 1886 he removed
to Garnett and was employed in a lumber yard,
where he remained two years. Returning to the
farm, he remained on the same one year, and in
1889 removed to Garnett, where he purchased a
half-interest in his present business. He still owns
his farm and also his residence property in Garnett.
Mr. Gailey has been twice married, first in February, 1868, to Miss Mary B. Calvert, daughter of
John and Rebecca Calvert, and a native of western Pennsylvania. Her death occurred February
25, 1888, and four children were left motherless:
Maud C, wife of Charles E. McMurray, of Kansas
City, Mo.; Frank A., Roy E. and Pearl E. Mr.
Gailey's second marriage occurred November 5,
1889, to Mrs. Anna K. Beard, nee Kanard. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is now County
Surveyor, having formerly held that position
twelve years; he was Township Trustee five years,
was clerk of the Board of Education of Garnett
and a member of the City Council, acting Mayor
during an unexpired term caused by the resignation of the Mayor. In his religious views he is a
United Presbyterian and is an Elder in the church.
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