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WILLIAM GALBRAITH
WILLIAM GALBRAITH, probably the
earliest and most noted taxidermist in Hudson County, was born
in County Down, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestors, the name
being conspicuous in Scotland before the exodus caused by the
wars and politcal disturbances. When a young man he emigrated
to America and settled in New York City, but soon went to Long
Island, and in April, 1838, removed to West Hoboken, N. J., where
he died in October, 1872, in his sixty-seventh year. He was a
distinguished tasidermist, and in the constant practice of his
profession achieved considerable fame and eminent success. Numerous
examples of his work which are still in existence attest his
remarkable skill and ability, and stamp him as one of the leading
taxidermists of his time. Coming to West Hoboken when the country
was new and practically an unbroken forest, he found plenty of
birds and animals, many of which exist now only in the specimens
which he preserved.
Mr. Galbraith purchased a house
and two lots on the corner of Spring and Cortlandt Streets, of
Cyrus W. Browning, the founder of the Town of West Hoboken, and
during his active life took a prominent part in local affairs,
serving as Town Committeeman, etc. He was also a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He married, first, Jemima Payne,
who bore him four children: Elizabeth Charity (Mrs. Whittemore),
of Chicago, Charles S., of West Hoboken, and two who are deceased.
His second wife, Eliza Billings, whom he married in New York,
died in West Hoboken, leaving two children: William and John,
both deceased. He married, third, in New York City, Miss Dorothy
Nixon, by whom he had seven children, of whom one is living,
namely: Richard E. of West Hoboken.
Charles Stewart Galbraith was born
on Long Island, on the 21st of September, 1831, and adopted his
father's profession, which he has followed for many years. He
has traveled extensively in the interest of his work, and resides
in West Hoboken.
Source: Genealogical
History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor,
Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing
Company, 1900, page 158. |
