Mr. Franklin Pierce Galbreaith was born in 1856 where the Dyke Lumber Company once existed (in the block where the downtown Neighborhood Market 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, and circuit court clerk four years (his father held that office ten years), city marshall and alderman.
As of the time of a news article written about himin 1938. he was called the "marrying justice." He had tied the nuptial knot for 1,284 couples in his 16 years as J. P. He also oversaw at least 1870 criminal cases and 500 civil cases.
The article stated that he believed he was "the only man living, who can tell you where the 22 saloons in Benton County were located before prohibition, though he never drinks. His good health is attributed to abstinence from liquor and tobacco." He was called by many the "Grand Old Man" of the courthouse. The story about him continues to say "He was a walking encyclopedia of facts about Benton County. Names and towns seldom heard today are familiar to him."
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 position 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 knew him wouldn't forget. They would 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, and circuit court clerk four years (his father held that office ten years), city marshall and alderman.
As of the time of a news article written about himin 1938. he was called the "marrying justice." He had tied the nuptial knot for 1,284 couples in his 16 years as J. P. He also oversaw at least 1870 criminal cases and 500 civil cases.
The article stated that he believed he was "the only man living, who can tell you where the 22 saloons in Benton County were located before prohibition, though he never drinks. His good health is attributed to abstinence from liquor and tobacco." He was called by many the "Grand Old Man" of the courthouse. The story about him continues to say "He was a walking encyclopedia of facts about Benton County. Names and towns seldom heard today are familiar to him."
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 position 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 knew him wouldn't forget. They would alway see his upright figure in the courthouse halls of the county he had served so long.