History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

                         Robert James Galbreath & Family

ROBERT JAMES GALBREATH, who died at his home in Washburn Township, Aug. 25, 1913, was a man held in high esteem in the community in which he lived. He was born in Grant County, Ind., Jan. 8, 1864, son of John and Eunice (Marshall) Galbreath, who were married in that state. His paternal grandfather was James Galbreath, a native of Ohio and a farmer who cleared three farms from the woods. John Galbreath, who was one of a family of eight children-four sons and four daughters-was born in Ohio, and he also cleared a farm from the forest. He and his wife Eunice had five children: John, Ira, Robert, Nancy, and Lillie. The Galbreaths were of Scotch origin, while the Marshalls were English. Robert James Galbreath received his early schooling in Indiana, but had no opportunity of obtaining an advanced education.

At the age of 21 years he was married to Ina Fox, who was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., Nov. 7, 1864, only child of Israel and Martha Jane (Mann) Fox. Her father was a native of Indiana and son of Jacob and Rebecca Fox, who died when Israel was 10 years old, he being reared by an aunt, named Sarah Hoffman. Israel Fox was a farmer, and his wife, who was born in Indiana, was a daughter of James and Hannah (Franklin) Mann of Indiana. The Foxes were of Scotch descent and the Manns German. After their marriage Robert J. Galbreath and wife located in Richland County, Wis., on a farm that consisted of timbered bluffs. There was a log house on the place, into which they moved and where they lived ten years. At the end of that time they removed to Indiana, renting a farm in Grant County for three years, or until 1900, when they came to Clark County. Here Mr. Galbreath bought 140 acres of land in Section 3, Washburn Township, the tract being mostly covered with stumps. A year later he sold it and bought eighty acres in Section 2, on which he stayed three years. He then bought the place in Section 11, on which his family now reside, and on which there was a small frame house standing that served them for a dwelling. Subsequently this house burned down and Mr. Galbreath then erected a modern frame residence, which was his home to the end of his life.

He was a man of quiet domestic tastes and had little desire at any time to mingle in public affairs, but his farm was well kept and on it he raised good stock, being respected as a loyal and industrious citizen. Since his death his family has erected, in 1916, a good basement barn, 36 by 60 feet in size.

Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath were the parents of five children, of whom two died in infancy. The others were: Roscoe Conklin, who lives on the farm with his mother, who married Ella Lamp and has one child, Dorothy Inez Lulu Blanche, now Mrs. Higgins of Richland County, who has two children-Floyd and Geradine and Laura Ethel, wife of Christ Feutz, of Washburn Township, and who has one child, Lynn R. Both daughters were school teachers before their respective marriages.