SAMUEL GALBREATH, an enterprising farmer of Washington Township, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County, April 9, 1827, a son of John and Elizabeth (Aikman) Galbreath, who were both natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish parentage. They were married in Preble County, Ohio, in 1811, and in 1820 removed from there to Darke County, Ohio, where the father died September 22, 1855, aged over seventy years. The mother died at the home of our subject January 6, 1869, aged over eighty years. Both were members of the Universalist church at Castine, Ohio, for a number of years, and at the time of her death Mrs. Galbreath was a member of the Universalist church at Pierceton. Samuel Galbreath, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits in Darke County, Ohio, remaining there until 1852. He was united in marriage in 1845 in Preble County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Keltner, by whom he had seven children - Milton, now of Noble County, Indiana; Catherine, who died in September, 1878, aged twenty-two years; Alice, wife of Henry Hays, of Pierceton; Oliver, now of Thomas County, Kansas; Jackson, now of Allegan County, Michigan; Jemima and Marion, now of Washington Township, Kosciusko County, Indiana. In December, 1852, Mr. Galbreath came to Kosciusko County, Indiana, and located on 106 acres of heavily timbered land in Washington Township, which he cleared and improved, and is still residing on the same farm. Mrs. Sarah Galbreath died on the farm in Washington Township February 5, 1856, and in May, 1858, Mr. Galbreath married Mrs. Margaret (Black) Hibbets, of Kosciusko County. Seven children have been born to this union - Mary, wife of Franklin Yohn, now of Sumner County, Kansas; Martha, now of Smith County, Kansas; Elsworth, Grant, Stanton, Viola and Daisey, still living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath are Universalists in their religious belief, but are members of no church at present. In politics Mr. Galbreath affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Pierceton Lodge, No.377, A. F. & A. M., and has presided in all the stations of said lodge, and is now filling the station of senior deacon.

Source: Biographical & Historical Record of Kosciusko Co., IN.; Lewis Publishing Co., 1887
Dated: August 28, 2000

NELSON R. GALBREATH was born near Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1845, remaining there till May, 1852, when he removed with his parents, Alexander and Eliza Galbreath, to Kosciusko County, Indiana. Being the eldest in his father's family, he and his father at once commenced the task of making a farm in what was then an almost unbroken forest. He worked on the farm for nine years, when on the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and afterward in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, but being small of stature and under age, his father secured his release from both enlistments. He soon after, however, enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until its discharge in October, 1864. On his return from the war he worked through the summer months on the farm, attending school during the winter terms, for four years, when he was married to Miss Cynthia A. Roys, daughter of G. W. A. and Nancy Roys, of Kosciusko County. Mr. Galbreath identified himself with the Republican party on its organization, notwithstanding the fact that his family were and always had been staunch Democrats. In 1874 he was elected constable of his township, which office he filled so satisfactorily and efficiently that he was re-elected in 1876, and again in 1878. During these years he took a full law course under attorney J. H. Taylor, the present county clerk, but was never admitted to the bar, preferring to return to farm life. He still takes an active interest in the politics of his county, being a hard and faithful worker for the Republican cause, and a member of the County Central Committee. In 1886 he represented his party in the Congressional, Senatorial, Judicial and County conventions. In their religious faith he and his wife are members of the Church of God of the Abrahamic faith, having been baptized into that church by immersion in August, 1883. They are the parents of eight children whose names are as follows - Charles Edward, Ida Alice, Nancy R., Eliza Belle, Minnie Grace, Augustus Alexander, Clara Pearl and Ethel May, all but the eldest son living at home. The father of our subject was of Scotch ancestry, and his mother's family were Pennsylvania Germans. They had a family of ten children, three of whom are deceased - Perry died January, 1850, aged nearly two years; a daughter died in infancy in October, 1855, and Wilson. S. died in December, 1874, aged twenty-six years. Those living are - Nelson R., the subject of this sketch; Martin L., principal of the schools of Collamer, Whitley County; Angie, wife of Mr. Deardorff; a farmer of Kosciusko County; Levi P., a farmer; Freeman K., a barber of Goshen, Elkhart County, Indiana; Mrs. Ella Williams, of Pierceton, and Mrs. Maria Deardorff, a widow, living with her mother on the east third of the south half of section 26, township 32 north, range 7 east, in Kosciusko County, that being the old homestead, on which the family have resided for thirty-five years, and on which the father, Alexander Galbreath, died in September, 1874, at the age of fifty-two years. Mrs. Galbreath's father was a native of Canada, and her mother was born in the State of Vermont. They were married about 1834, and in the spring of 1835 came to Kosciusko County. Both were school teachers. Mr. Roys taught a term of school, in the summer of 1835, on the prairie west of the present site of Leesburgh. He was prominently identified with the early history of this county, having held several offices of trust. He was also a minister of the Gospel. Mrs. Roys is still living, making her home with her son, Lem. W. Roys, attorney at law, and the present mayor of the city of Warsaw, and although seventy-three years of age, is still enjoying good health.

Source: Biographical & Historical Record of Kosciusko Co., IN.; Lewis Publishing Co., 1887
Dated: August 28, 2000

HENRY C. GRAY, farmer, Plain Township, was born in Miami County, Ohio, February 26, 1835, son of Frederic and Ann Gray, natives of New Jersey, who were among the early settlers of Miami County. Four of their eight children are living - Sarah, Joseph W., Hannah J. and Henry C. The deceased are - Elizabeth, John L., Charles H., who died at Harper's Ferry during the late war, and Samuel C., formerly a prominent physician of Warsaw. Henry C. was reared in his native State, receiving a rudimentary education in the district schools of his time. October 9, 1862, he was married to Matilda J. Brecount, daughter of Miles and Ann Brecount, of Miami County, Ohio. Her grandfather, John Brecount, participated in the war of 1812. Her ancestors are from New Jersey. They have five children - Ella M., Etta A., Edward H., Anna J. and Mary E. In 1875 Mr. Gray came with his family to this county, settling on his present farm in the southern portion of Plain Township which he has greatly improved. He owns 281 acres of land largely under cultivation. He has served as school director and road supervisor. During the late war he enlisted in the 100 day service, and was stationed principally in various parts of Virginia, although he was not conspicuously engaged in active service. Politically he is a Republican. Although he started in life a poor boy, he has been very successful.

Source: "History of Kosciusko County", 1919
Submitted: September 17, 2000

Deb Murray