Mr. Franklin Pierce Galbreaith was born in 1856 where the Dykes Lumber Co. used to be (Now the Nazarene Church parking lot is now located). He was born to John Galbreaith who had one time been Benton County Sheriff. He married Sarah W. "Sallie" Hobbs and together they had at least four children.
Mr. Galbreaith dedicated his life to the service to Bentonville and Benton County. He served as Justice of the Peace at least 16 years, sheriff for ten years (as his father did), collector four years, circuit court clerk four years (His father held the office ten years), former city marshall and alderman.
As of the time this article was written in 1938. He was called the "Marrying justice," he has tied the nuptial knot for 1,284 couples in his 16 years as J. P. He over saw at least 1870 criminal cases and 500 civil cases.
He says at the time he believed he was the only man who could tell you where the 22 saloons were located before prohibition, though he never drinks. He says his good health was attributed to abstinence from liquor and tobacco. He was called by many the "Grand Old Man" of the courthouse. He was a walking encyclopedia of facts about Benton County. Names and towns seldom heard of in that day.
He had a favorite place to sit in the lobby of the courthouse. His political activities and keen memory had acquainted him with an amazing amount of people. From his favorite potion in the courthouse he would would visit with just about anyone who happened by knowing most people he visited with.
The "Grand Old Man" will never die, either. Those who know him won't forget. They'll alway see his upright figure in the courthouse halls of the county he had served so long.
Mr. Galbreaith dedicated his life to the service to Bentonville and Benton County. He served as Justice of the Peace at least 16 years, sheriff for ten years (as his father did), collector four years, circuit court clerk four years (His father held the office ten years), former city marshall and alderman.
As of the time this article was written in 1938. He was called the "Marrying justice," he has tied the nuptial knot for 1,284 couples in his 16 years as J. P. He over saw at least 1870 criminal cases and 500 civil cases.
He says at the time he believed he was the only man who could tell you where the 22 saloons were located before prohibition, though he never drinks. He says his good health was attributed to abstinence from liquor and tobacco. He was called by many the "Grand Old Man" of the courthouse. He was a walking encyclopedia of facts about Benton County. Names and towns seldom heard of in that day.
He had a favorite place to sit in the lobby of the courthouse. His political activities and keen memory had acquainted him with an amazing amount of people. From his favorite potion in the courthouse he would would visit with just about anyone who happened by knowing most people he visited with.
The "Grand Old Man" will never die, either. Those who know him won't forget. They'll alway see his upright figure in the courthouse halls of the county he had served so long.