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William J. Galbraith

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William John Galbraith (February 18, 1837 – January 23, 1907) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a justice of the territorial Montana Supreme Court from 1879 to 1888.

Early life

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Galbraith was born in Freeport, Pennsylvania on February 18, 1837.[1] He graduated from Dartmouth College[2] in 1857, then studied law in Pittsburgh from 1858 to 1860,[2] and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1861.[1]

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Galbraith initially enlisted in the 78th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment,[2] but was later transferred to the Signal Service Department.[1] During his time of service, he was captured and became a prisoner of war.[2]

Career

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After the war, Galbraith practiced law in Franklin, Pennsylvania, Beatrice, Nebraska, and Cherokee, Iowa.[2] In 1879, he was appointed by President Rutherford B. Hayes as an associate justice for the second district of the territory of Montana,[1] succeeding Hiram Knowles.[3] He was reappointed by President Chester A. Arthur in the summer of 1883.[4][5]

Later life and death

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Galbraith retired from the Court in 1888, and was succeeded by Stephen DeWolf.[6]

On January 23, 1907, Galbraith died in Seattle, Washington. He and his wife, Nellie,[2] had five daughters and two sons.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Biographies and Histories of Montana's Justices, Judges, and Courts, 1865-2020" (PDF). State Law Library of Montana. 2020. p. 38. This work in is in the public domain, reproduction and non-commercial distribution of this work are permitted with attribution.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "William J. Galbraith, Associate Justice for the Second Judicial District". Newspapers.com. Deer Lodge, Montana: The New-Northwest. Newspapers.com. August 8, 1879. p. 3. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Our New Judge". Helena Weekly Herald. Newspapers.com. July 10, 1879. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Telegraph Advices", The Anaconda Recorder and New Northwest (July 6, 1883), p. 2.
  5. ^ "Brevities". Montana Weekly Herald. Newspapers.com. July 5, 1883. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "JUDICIAL MATTERS". The New North-West. Newspapers.com. February 3, 1888. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by Justice of the Montana Supreme Court
1879–1888
Succeeded by