During the formative period in the history of the development of Columbus along commercial lines James Henry Galley established a store in the little frontier city and with its growth his business interests have developed. In a word, he has been an element in the commercial progress of his city and outside the strict path of business he has done much to further public improvement and uphold high standards that have found expression in the city's welfare. A native of England, he was born in Macclesfield, April 23, 1840, a son of James and Ann (Whittaker) Galley. His father was a native of Manchester, England, and the straitened financial circumstances of his parents made it necessary that he begin earning his living at an early age. While employed in a cotton mill in Manchester he wrote upon the floor in front of him with chalk problems and lessons which he sought to master. In the evenings he would walk three miles to secure further instruction and it was in this way and under such difficulties that he secured an education, eventually becoming qualified to take up the profession of teaching. He pursued that calling with marked success for a number of years and displayed exceptional ability in the line of mathematics and noted skill as a fine penman. He wedded Ann Whittaker, a lady of liberal education, whose father was proprietor of a small store in Macclesfield and also owner of a number of brick residences in that city. He was likewise a member of the militia there and his command was ordered to join the forces of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo, where he arrived just in time to witness the surrender of Napoleon.

During his early youth James H. Galley received instruction from his father and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to the new world. He earned his first money in America by herding sheep about twenty miles south of Salt Lake City, along the mountain sides, his employer being Abraham Hunsaker, the owner of a sheep ranch. After about two years thus passed Mr. Galley received twenty sheep and a yoke of three-year old steers in payment for his services. Money was almost unknown in that locality and Mr. Galley states that from the time of his arrival in Utah in 1853 until 1857, when General Johnson located a camp in the valley in which he lived, he never saw any coin or currency.

When the family removed to Platte county in September, 1859, Omaha was their nearest trading point and they had to go to Calhoun or Milford to have their grist ground, it often requiring a week to make the trip. On one occasion, after going to the mill, Mr. Galley had to go into the woods and secure fuel to be used in operating the mill. The winter of 1859-60, the first winter which he spent in the state, was memorable because of the severity of the weather. In January of that year he and a party of companions started to market corn, which they sold at Fort Kearney and at the ranches along the Platte. Mr. Galley was accompanied by his brother Samuel, his brother-in-law, William Draper, Tom French, of Plum Creek, and Pat Malloy. They took with them three wagons loaded with ear corn, each drawn by three yoke of cattle. After crossing the Loup river on the ice they camped for the night and ere morning broke a genuine blizzard had hemmed them in so that they were snowbound for three days. They just crawled out of their wagons to prepare a little coffee and then back into them to roll up in their robes. At no time during those three days could they see more than two rods from their wagon. They turned their cattle loose into the bushes to care for themselves, nor did the owners dare look for them until the storm was over. When the storm had passed, however, the cattle were found in safety and the young men proceeded to Fort Kearney, the snow laying upon the ground to a depth of two feet. They were obliged to sleep in their wagons at night, for there were few settlements along that route. When they reached the Platte river it required all day to ford the stream, which was accomplished by hitching the nine yoke of cattle to one wagon at a time, this being the only way in which they could get safely through the water and ice. Such were some of the hardships experienced by the early settlers and Mr. Galley could relate many another interesting tale of the conditions of pioneer times.

In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a private of Company K, Second Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry, and participated in the Indian war and in the battle of White Stone Hills in South Dakota under command of General Sully. After being honorably discharged at Omaha in 1863 he returned to Columbus and devoted his attention to farming until the spring of 1866. He then embarked in merchandising in partnership with Vincent Kummer, who at that time was county treasurer of Platte county. A year later, however, they disposed of their store to Dale & Willard and Mr. Galley resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1873 the firm of J. H. Galley & Brother was established for the conduct of a mercantile business and success attended the new enterprise so that in 1880 they established a branch store at Creighton. Their partnership was continued until 1892, when the firm dissolved, Samuel Galley taking the Creighton store, while James Galley retained the ownership of the Columbus establishment. Here he has since continued business and is one of the prosperous merchants and one of the most reliable, progressive and enterprising business men of this section of the state. Not to know J. H. Galley in Platte county and this part of Nebraska is to argue oneself unknown. He is one of the oldest pioneer merchants and has a most extensive acquaintance, being held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has come in contact.

On the 22d of February, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Galley and Miss Helen Hudson, a daughter of the late Judge H. J. Hudson, of Columbus, who was one of the pioneers of Platte county and they have become parents of eight children.

Mr. Galley rejoices in the fact that he was able to give his children much better educational advantages than were accorded him. He has always stood for that which works for progress and improvement and his efforts have been an element in public advancement. For twelve years he was a member of the board of education of Columbus and was treasurer of school district No. 9 for several years. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he was elected on its ticket to the office of coroner of Platte county in 1867. He has also served for several terms in the Columbus city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with Baker Post, No. 9, G. A. R., and was honored with the office of commander for two terms, during which period he was instrumental in procuring the erection of a monument in the public park of Columbus in honor of the soldiers and sailors of the Civil war. Since 1878 he has been a member of the Royal Arcanum, has held all of the offices of the local lodge and has twice been a member of the grand council, but was forced out by the excessive rates imposed by the grand council on all members over sixty-five years. Aside from his commercial interests he has been vice president of the First National Bank of Columbus and over his business and political record there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. His life has indeed been well spent and is fruitful of good results, gaining for him not only a substantial competence but the merited respect and esteem which are the reward of a well spent life.

(the above article is displayed as written, including all typing & spelling errors)