W. K. GALBRAITH, the popular young postmaster of Canonsburg, is a grandson of William Galbraith, a native of Scotland, who married Isabella Welch, who was born and reared in Emerald Isle. They came to America soon after marriage, locating on the old farm near Burgettstown, Smith Township, Washington Co., where children were born to them as follows: Matthew, James A., Robert(deceased), John(deceased), William R., Middleton, Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth (deceased), and Isabelle. The father was a stanch advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig Party, and served several years as justice of the peace. He was a member and ruling elder of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown for many years. He died in 1880. James A. Galbraith was born on the old farm in Smith township, this county, and at the age of eighteen years began to teach school, following that profession several years. He then became a clerk at Cross Creek village, this county, continuing as such twenty-one years. He finally engaged in the hardware business at Burgettstown, Smith Township and in 1875 was elected county recorder. At the expiration of his term of office he moved to Cannonsburg, and has since been profitably employed in handling grain and machinery. He was wedded to Mary A. Bebout, of Cross Creek village, who has borne him seven children, namely: Aaron, married to Dora Chambers, of Canonsburg, Penn.; Belle, deceased wife of Charles Harding, station agent of the Waynesburg & Washington Railroad; W. K., whose sketch follows; Elizabeth, wife of S. A. Crosier, a merchant of Canonsburg; Robert, a druggist of Pittsburgh, Penn., married to Anna Coleman; Nettie, wife of Joseph Thompson, who is interested in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. W. K. Galbraith was born December 12, 1858, in Cross Creek Village, Penn., and when ten years of age came with his parents to Burgettstown. He entered the high school, and graduated with the class of '78. After leaving school he assisted his father in the duties of the recorder's office, and when the term was ended worked one year for the new recorder. He then conducted a tobacco store in Canonsburg for eight years; then entered the office of the Central Grain Elevator Company, of Pittsburgh, Penn., remaining in their employ until his appointment, in 1800, as postmaster of Canonsburg. On November 13, 1884, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of James Munnell, of Canonsburg. They have three children: James Lloyd, Katie E. and Robert R. Mr. Galbraith has a beautiful home on East College Street. In politics he is a faithful adherent of the Republican party, and in religion a member and liberal supporter of the U. P. Church at Canonsburg. He's an influential citizen, respected by all.

Text taken from page 1477 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Tawna Varner Brown of Midlothian, TX as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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