Sam J. Galloway

From photocopy, not dated. Samuel J. Galloway died in 1939 in West Plains:

SAM J. GALLOWAY, PIONEER, SUCCUMBS AFTER LONG ILLNESS

~ Former representative in State Legislature, had long, successful career as businessman and farmer ~


Samuel J. Galloway, 80 years old, formerly Howell county's representative in the state legislature, and who was a member of one of the county's most prominent pioneer families, died at his home on Minnesota avenue at 6 o'clock Sunday morning, death following a long invalidism from a heart ailment.

Mr. Galloway, who was first stricken five years ago while he and Mrs. Galloway were spending the winter in Florida, has since been very frail. Throughout last week he had not been so well as usual, but he seemed quite strong Saturday night, and sat up in bed during the evening to read the evening newspapers. About midnight he aroused Mrs. Galloway, who found him very ill. A physician was summoned, but his condition grew rapidly worse until the end.

For many years prominent in church, business, agriculture and political circles, Mr. Galloway was known to a host of friends throughout the county, his always kindly and happy disposition winning friends wherever he went.

~ Stockholder in West Plains Bank ~

He has for many years been a stockholder in the West Plains Bank, although he had devoted the major portion of his life to agriculture.

~ Born in Howell County ~ 

A native of Howell county, he was born on the old G.W. (Uncle Wash) Galloway homestead, adjoining West Plains on the north-west on the Missouri avenue road. His father was one of the earliest pioneer farmers and Baptist ministers of the county. The elder Galloway, who came to Howell county from Tennessee, was captain of a company of Confederate soldiers, which he organized and commanded during the Civil War.

During his earlier years Samuel J. Galloway was employed in the old Langston Brothers store in West Plains, later moving to his father's homestead, where for many years he was one of the most successful farmers and livestock dealers of the county. His marriage to Miss Vesta Clack of Roddy, Tenn., who survives him, took place September 15, 1887, in Roddy, the marriage being the culmination of a "love-at-first-sight" romance. Mr. Galloway had gone to Tennessee for a visit to the ancestral home of the Galloways, and when he met Miss Clack, a lovely, fragile blonde, he told a relative that he had found his wife. One year later he returned to Roddy to claim her as his bride.

Twelve years ago Mr. and Mrs. Galloway decided to retire from the active duties of their farm life and moved to West Plains, purchasing the attractive home on Minnesota avenue, where Mr. Galloway passed away.

~ To Legislature in 1926 ~

Mr. Galloway, a life-long democrat and long a well known leader in democratic circles here, was elected Howell county's representative in the state legislature in 1926, and served in the 52nd, 53rd and 54th general assemblies. While in the legislature he served on various important committees, being a member of committees on agriculture, banks and banking, constitutional amendments, teachers colleges and others.

Throughout his life he has been an ardent member of the Primitive Baptist church, and was exceptionally well informed on the scriptures, of which he was a constant reader.

Besides his widow, he is survived by four daughters and two sons, Mrs. Beatrice Cook, Mrs. Earl Armstrong, Mrs. Ralph Armstrong and Paul Galloway of West Plains, Clark Galloway of San Angelo, Tex., and Mrs. Beulah Bishop of Springfield. One son, Raleigh Galloway, who was cashier of the West Plains Bank at the time of his death, died in 1926, and another son, Willie, 12, was killed when thrown from a horse here twenty-five years ago.

There are six grandchildren, Dr. Robert Cook of Peoria, Ill., Tommy Galloway of West Plains, and Sammy Jack Galloway, who is a student in Kansas State Agriculture College, Manhattan, Kans., Mrs. Wayne Bess and Charles Armstrong of West Plains, and Norma Jean Bishop of Springfield.

Mr. Galloway, who was one of a family of thirteen children, is survived only by two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Lasater and Miss Lizzie Galloway of West Plains. Miss Galloway is ill at her home in the west end, and probably will be unable to attend her brother's funeral.

~ Funeral Tuesday ~

Funeral services for Mr. Galloway will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the First Baptist church, with the Rev. B. F. Dinwiddie, pastor, in charge. Assisting in the service will be the Rev. Jim Reeves, a pioneer Baptist minister of Grimmett and a long-time friend of Mr. Galloway.

~ Members of the local I. O. O. F. lodge, of which Mr. Galloway was a member, will attend. ~

All of the sons and daughters of Mr. Galloway will be here for the services. Mr. and Mrs. Clark Galloway started for West Plains from San Angelo yesterday morning, and arrived here today. Mrs. Cook, who was transacting business in Springfield, and her sister, Mrs. Bishop of Springfield, motored to West Plains Saturday night immediately after receiving a message announcing the critical condition of their father, but were unable to reach his bedside before he passed away.

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