W. C. GALBRAITH, farmer, P. O. Atwater, was born in Wayne County, Tenn., June 14, 1834, to Alexander and Margaret (SNODGRASS) GALBRAITH; father was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1808; was a farmer; he died in December, 1871, in Johnson County, Ill., where he had resided for ten years previous to his death. In an early day, he took great interest in politics; was Justice of the Peace of Wayne County, Tenn., for a term of twelve years; was an Old Time Whig; he was son of Thomas GALBRAITH, a native of North Carolina, son of John GALBRAITH, a native of Scotland. Subject's mother was born in North Carolina in 1800, and died in 1854, in Macoupin County, Ill. Parents had one girl and four boys, subject being third child. Subject lived in Wayne County, Tenn., until he was fourteen years of age, and there attended school; in 1848, with his parents, removed to Henderson County, Ill.; in 1850, removed to Macoupin county, where he received the most of his education from the neighborhood schools. In 1855, he hired out as farm hand; in 1856, rented a piece of land until 1859, when he bought land in Montgomery County and removed to this county and settled in what is now known as Pitman Township, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he sold out and bought land in Zanesville Township, and in six months, sold out an bought another farm adjoining the land he now owns; in 1867, bought his present residence and farm, and has made all the improvements on it, there was not even a house there; he built a comfortable farm residence, and upon his place has a pair of stock scales, and everything for a first-class farmer, and now is the owner of 120 acres, making wheat a specialty, and trades some in stock. In 1857, in Macoupin county, he married Miss Lydia Ann GRAY, a native of Macoupin County, born in 1837, a daughter of John GRAY, a native of Tennessee; four children - Alzirah, Antoinette, William J. and Anna J., at home; Alzirah is now the wife of A. C. McPHERSON, and now lives in Kansas. Member of order of A., F. & A. M., No. 692, at Raymond; self and wife are members of the Methodist Church for about twenty-five years; politically, a Republican; was nominated and elected Justice of the Peace in 1878; held office for three years, filling vacancy; in 1881, was re-elected for same office for a term of four years. Mr. GALBRAITH commenced life a poor man; when he left his parental home, he had only 25 cents in his possession, and, by his honesty, industry and economy, has succeeded in gaining a good property, and a name and reputation which is beyond reproach.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 237-238.
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