James W. Galyen

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JAMES W. GALYEN, who was for many years one of the most prominent agriculturists located along the Neosho river, in Labette county, Kansas, died February 15, 1899. Always interested in public improvements and the development of his community, he was one of its best citizens, and his death was deeply mourned by his fellow citizens with whom he had been associated for so many years. Mrs. Galyen is now located comfortably in Parsons, Kansas, where she has many friends.

James W. Galyen was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, October 16, 1837. At the age of twelve years he was taken by his parents to Barry county, Missouri, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. Believing the South was making a fight for its just rights, he sided with that section, and enlisted in the 11th Regiment, Missouri Infantry, and served in Price's Division until 1862, when he was discharged. He then moved to Greene county, Illinois, where he resided until 1865, when he decided to establish a home in the west, and journeyed to Labette county, Kansas. Arriving at Trotter's ford on December 19, 1865, he took up a claim on the Neosho river, which he cleared, and cultivated during the rest of his life. His last days were spent at his son's home, whither he had moved one month prior to his death. He was a very successful farmer, and laid up a handsome competency. He was a man of many excellent qualities, was honest and upright in all of his dealings, and his townsmen lamented his death as a loss to the community.

December 6, 1860, Mr. Galyen was united in matrimony with Lucretia J. Lovelace, who was born December 7, 1844, in Benton county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Isaac and Maria J. (Ashley) Lovelace. Her father, a prominent farmer by occupation, was born in McCracken county, Kentucky, and her mother in Ballard county, Kentucky. This old and respected family moved to Missouri in 1839, where they lived until 1862, and then went to Greene county, Illinois. Five years later they moved to Miami county, Kansas, where they continued to live for some time. Isaac Lovelace died October 19, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years, while on a visit to Arkansas. Mrs. Lovelace died March 10, 1890, at the age of seventy years. They were parents of four children, as follows: Elizabeth; James E.; America; and Lucretia J. Elizabeth, deceased, married John Ellis, by whom she had one son, Lafayette. James E. married Melinda Morgan, by whom he had four children: Lenora, John, Lucy, and Edna. America, who resides in Cherokee county, Kansas, married Ivy Irwin, by whom she had four children, Frank, Perry, Henry, and Mary; being left a widow she became the wife of Lewis Westervelt. Lucretia J., the youngest member of the family, is the widow of the subject of this sketch. In religious belief, the family were Baptists.

Mr. and Mrs. Galyen were the parents of one son, Isaac W., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Galyen has lived in Parsons since the death of her husband, and has a comfortable home at No. 1327 Johnson avenue, where she is surrounded by many friends. She still owns two valuable farms, which she rents. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Galyen accompany this sketch.