BIO: William R. GALEY, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 112-114. _________________________________________________________________ WILLIAM R. GALEY, of the firm of Galey Brothers, extensive oil producers, is a highly respected citizen of Beaver, Pa., and is well and favorably known throughout Beaver county. He was born in Porter township, Clarion county, December 5, 1848, receiving in his youth an exceptionally thorough mental training in the public school. He began his career by working upon his father's farm until he attained the age of twenty years, when he became an oil driller at Pleasantville, Pennsylvania. He has spent his entire life in the oil and gas business, being now quite extensively engaged in that capacity. He has operated oil wells in many counties not only in Pennsylvania, but also in Ohio, sometimes alone, and sometimes in partnership with others. He drilled the gas wells for, and helped to establish the Bridgewater Gas Co., in the Sheffield district, but subsequently sold his interest therein. He is one of the stockholders of the Beaver National Bank and was one of the prime factors in its organization. In 1891, Mr. Galey settled in Beaver, where he purchased a brick dwelling from A. Moore, and has since made his residence there, taking an active interest in the progress of his adopted town. Mr. Galey was joined in matrimony with Ida Nicholas, an accomplished lady of great force and sweetness of character. Mrs. Galey is a daughter of Charles and Isadore (Howard) Nicholas. Her father was born in Ohio, and died in early manhood, leaving a widow and one little daughter, Ida, to mourn his untimely death. Mrs. Nicholas contracted a second matrimonial alliance, this time with Obi Olds, by whom she had one son, Herbert, now deceased. A second time she was deprived of her companion and after a suitable period, married a third time, becoming the wife of William Fenton, to whom she bore three daughters: Minnie M.; Miranda I.; and BEAVER COUNTY 113 Lydia A. Mrs. Fenton departed this life at the age of fifty-eight years. To our subject and his estimable wife have been born two sons and two daughters, whose names are: Herbert Edgar; Willie; Etta Irene; and Charlana Mabel. The two sons died in infancy, and Etta Irene became the wife of Howard Atha, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Charlana Mabel is the darling of the household, which she rules at will. She was born as recently as July 24, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Galey are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The subject of this sketch is a son of Robert and Margaret (Rogers) Galey, and grandson of Daniel and Margaret (Fulton) Galey. Daniel Galey was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1819, landing at Philadelphia, Pa., and settling in Maryland, along the Chesapeake Bay. There he accepted a position as manager of an extensive plantation, and was overseer of a large number of slaves. He continued to work in that capacity until cut off by death at about forty years of age. He was joined in matrimony with Margaret Fulton, who survived him until she attained the advanced age of seventy-eight years. After the death of her husband Mrs. Galey and her children removed to Belle Vernon, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Their son, Robert, is the father of the subject of this sketch. Robert Galey was born in the Province of Connaught, Ireland, in 1811, and accompanied his parents to America, when only eight years old. At the age of fourteen years, he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he mastered in all its details, serving a full apprenticeship. He became quite skilled as a workman, made axes by hand and was considered an expert pattern maker. He started a small shop for himself, and by strict attention to his business accumulated quite a sum of money for those days. In 1835, he removed to Cherry Run, Clarion county, Pa., and purchased 100 acres of new land, which he cleared into fields for farming purposes. Later he sold out and purchased a larger tract of timber land at Red Bank, in the same county. He busied himself cutting his timber, which he sold to the operators of a charcoal furnace. Iron ore was also discovered on his land, in such paying quantities that by its sale, he not only paid off all his indebtedness, but was enabled to purchase three good farms along the Allegheny River in Perry township, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, Mr. Galey was largely interested in raising sheep upon these farms; at one time he and his sons owned as many as B00 fine specimens. In 1867, oil was discovered on his farm, after which, for several years, he was largely interested in numerous oil wells. In company with his son John, he purchased Kink's Island, and put down a well that yielded an average of 75 barrels of crude oil per day for a period of four years. Another deal which was considered among his best investments, was the purchase of the Captain Clark farm in Washington county, for $17,000. Four years later he sold it for manufacturing purposes, for the round sum of $40,000. 114 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Since then the place was sold for $100,000. Robert Galey possessed a strong constitution and was an active, energetic man with nerves of iron. He was a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, not only accumulating a large fortune but loaning considerable amounts of money and being very charitable. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and spent his last days at Belle Vernon, where his death occurred in June, 1895. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Sparr, a daughter of John Sparr, died at the early age of thirty-two years, leaving three sons as a legacy to her husband. Their names are: John H., who is a member of the firm of Guffey & Galey at East End, Pittsburg, Pa.; Thomas F., of Beaver; and Robert, also of Beaver. Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Galey married again. This time he was wedded to Margaret Rogers, who is still living. She is a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Cook) Rogers, and was born December 25, 1822. Her father was born in Donegal, Ireland, was a son of George Rogers, and grandson of Oliver Rogers, who was born in England, but settled in Ireland, and, in his day, was said to be the tallest man in Europe. His son George visited America, but stayed only a short time, returning to Ireland, where he died. The latter's son, George Rogers, came to America in 1832, settling in Clarion county, Pa., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, near Parker's Landing. His life was terminated by death at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife lived to be seventy-two years of age. Their children were: Elizabeth; Jane; Sally; Margaret, mother of William R.; Rebecca; Letitia; William; and Mary. Robert Galey's second marriage resulted in the birth of the following offspring: William R., subject of this sketch; Samuel, a dealer in oil at East End, Pittsburg; Daniel, also a dealer in oil, residing at Parker, Pa.; Rachel, wife of Thomas Grant; James G., of Beaver, also in the oil business; David H., superintendent of the Sewickley Gas Co.; and Laura G., wife of Lieut. Charles Farnsworth, - Mrs. Farnsworth is now deceased, and left one son, Robert. Our subject is a man of sterling worth, of upright dealings, and is a useful member of the community, who has contributed his share to the enterprise and thrift of Beaver. He gives liberally of his means to worthy charities, and assists in many ways to elevate the moral and social life of his community.