Biographical Sketch of

Robert Galston

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 495 - 496


Robert Galston, a prosperous agriculturist residing on section 36 in Adams township, Adams county, is an early settler 
of that region.  He has passed more than a quarter of a century within the borders of Adams county, and has lent his 
influence for the welfare of his community.  His estate comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and he has added such 
improvements as make it one of the leading farms of the vicinity.  He engages in general farming and is interested to 
some extent in stock raising.  He has met with success in his chosen calling and has gained the respect of his fellows.

Mr. Galston was born at Beith, Ayrshire, Scotland, August 24, 1835, as was the son of James and Elizabeth (Fulton) 
Galston.  His father was a baker by trade, and conducted the business at Dalry.  He died in 1859 and was buried at 
Dalry, and the mother died in 1834, and was laid to rest at Beith.

In the family of twelve children our subject was the sixth in order of birth.  He was given educational advantages and 
acquired a good education. At the age of twelve years he was started to learning the baker's trade, but not taking 
kindly to that trade he decided to learn the shipwright's trade and at the age of seventeen years was apprenticed for 
that purpose.  He served four years with a firm in Glasgow, Scotland, and worked at his trade for about ten years.  He 
came to America in 1870, locating at Chicago, where he was employed for some time.  He came to Adams township, Adams 
county, in 1872, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36.  He has about eighty acres under 
cultivation, and has prospered.  He erected a comfortable residence and outbuildings, and is surrounded by all the 
comforts of rural life.  

Mr. Galston was married November 3, 1865, to Marion Hamilton, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Semple) Hamilton, of 
Little Gill, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  Four children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Galston, named as 
follows:  James, born January 1, 1865, died November 27, 1869; Sarah, born April 13, 1868, died November 17, 1869; 
James, born March 12, 1870, now living at home; and Alexander, born July 22, 1872, now residing in Black River Falls.

Mr. Galston is a member of the Presbyterian church.  He has held various offices of local importance, including treasurer 
of his township, supervisor, justice of the peace four years, and assessor about five years.  He is non-partisan in 
politics, voting for the ticket which meets his favor, ever looking to the interest of the community where he has made 
his home for so many years.  He has always been found standing on the side of right and justice, and no public enterprise 
which he deemed feasible passed him without his hearty support.  He is one of the public-spirited men of Adams county, 
and all who honor good citizenship and honest industry hold him in the highest esteem.  His name has been linked with 
many of the important public movements and to write a history of Adams county would of necessity frequently bring his 
name before the readers of such a volume.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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