Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Galt, Thomas A 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 2:06 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Thomas A. Galt, a pioneer manufacturer of Sterling and a member of the banking 
firm of Galt & Tracy, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Jan. 13, 1828; was 
reared on a farm and received only a common-school education. Being only 14 
years of age when his father died, he was early thrown upon his own resources, 
and for the first year he worked only for his board and lodging, but 
thenceforward until he became of age he received over $100 annually. He was 
first employed as a clerk in Concord, Pa., and afterward at Strasburg, same 
State, and at Philadelphia, until 1849, when he entered into business for 
himself at Strasburg, in which he was very successful. Being of an 
enterprising nature, he sold his business there in 1855, and emigrated West, 
first engaging in the hardware business with D. M. Crawford at Sterling. The 
firm of Galt & Crawford continued until 1858, when the latter withdrew and Mr. 
Galt admitted his brother, John M., the firm name becoming Galt & Bro. In 1863 
two more partners were admitted, and under their joint management their 
business grew to significant proportions. During the same year Mr. Galt, in 
addition to his hardware store, commenced the manufacture of farm implements, 
and soon after he became associated with George S. Tracy, who was then 
carrying on a planing-mill in Sterling. The mill and the manufactory were 
merged into one establishment, under the firm name of Galt & Tracy. The title 
of "Keystone Works" was soon after adopted. In 1864 the manufacturing business 
had grown to such an extent as to demand Mr. Galt's whole attention, and he 
sold his interest in the hardware business and retired from the retail trade. 
The wholesale manufacturing business, as he continued in it, became highly 
successful. In July, 1867, the whole premises and stock of the factory were 
destroyed by fire, causing a loss to the firm of about $3o,ooo, the property 
being uninsured. The activity and vim which were characteristic of Mr. Galt's 
nature were not crushed by this blow, and measures were soon taken for the 
restoration of the firm's business. The factory in Sterling was rebuilt, and 
so vigorously was the work pushed forward that in three weeks from the time of 
the fire the new structure was not only finished but furnished with machinery, 
including engine and boiler. The factory was appropriated to sash and door 
manufacturing and planing-mill. In the meantime the firm purchased a water 
privilege and some land at Rock Falls, opposite Sterling, and commenced a new 
factory, including foundry, machine shops and implement works, which were 
pushed on so vigorously that within three months from the burning of the old 
works the new were all in working order. This manufactory was the first of any 
kind erected in Rock Falls. Within six months after commencing business, the 
firm turned out about 1,500 agricultural machines of all kinds, besides a 
large amount of wood-work from the planing-mill. In 1870 the trade had 
increased, so much that a joint-stock company was incorporated, under the name 
of the "Keystone Manufacturing Company," with a capital of $150,000, which has 
since been increased to nearly half a million. Mr. Galt was elected President, 
and George S. Tracy Vice President and Superintendent. This company is now 
among the largest manufacturers of farm implements in the world, and their 
trade extends throughout the United States and Mexico, and Central and South 
America. They employ usually about 200 to 250 hands. Mr. Galt is also 
interested in several other manufacturing firms in Rock Falls and Sterling. 
Messrs. Galt & Tracy have also engaged in the banking business in the Galt 
House Block, where they do a general banking business, dealing in foreign and 
domestic exchange, stocks and bonds. They also own the Academy of Music 
building. Mr. G. has large real-estate interests in Sterling, among which is a 
fine residence of brick, with stone trimmings, on Third Street. In addition to 
his other enterprises, Mr. Galt commenced the erection of the Galt House in 
1876, and completed it in 1877, at a cost of $65,000. He also owns the Galt 
House, Wallace House and Waverly House, which are all the hotels in town, and 
several large store buildings on Third Street. He is a Director and Trustee of 
the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest, located in Chicago. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has also been Mayor of 
the city one term. Mr. Galt has been twice married, first in 1850, to Miss 
Julia Jones, of New Hartford, Conn., who died in 1853; and he was married 
again in 1856, to Miss Catherine Anthony, of Onondaga Co., N. Y., daughter of 
Isaac and Permelia Anthony, and a sister of Dr. J. P. Anthony, of Sterling, 
and also of Judge Anthony of the Chicago Superior Court. Mr. Galt had two 
children by his first wife, which died in infancy; and by his second wife 
eight children, three of whom died in infancy. The living are: E. Leroy, 
Treasurer of the Keystone Manufacturing Company; one daughter is the wife of 
E. L. Brookfield, President of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company; the 
others, daughters, are at home.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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