DUNCAN GALBRAITH,
a prominent and highly
successful farmer, residing on Lot 18, town line range
in Harwich township, County of Kent, was born in
Argyllshire, Scotland, March 2nd, 1843.
Lachlan and Mary (Glen)
Galbraith, his parents, were both also natives of
Argyllshire, the father born in January, 1804, and the
mother in APril, 1806. He died February 9th, 1879, she
on May 2nd, 1884. Lachlan Galbraih was the son of
Lachlan and Mary (McPhail) Galbraith, who lived and died
in Scotland, Mr. Galbraith passing away in 1849, at the
age of sixty-nine years, and his wife in November, 1863,
at the age of ninety-two. They had children as
follows: (1) Donald, born in 1800, married in
Scotland, made several voyages to Canada, and died in
1839. (2I) Lachlan has been previously mentioned as
the father of Duncan Galbraith. (3) Margaret Galbraith
(deceased) married Neil Galbraith in Scotland, came to
Canada, and died in 1864, leaving one son, Angus, a
prosperous farmer in West Williams. (4) Christina,
twin of Lachlan, married John McKeich, and lived in Bute,
Scotland. (5) Isabella married John McKenzie, a
gardener in Campbelltown. (6) John, born in Scotland,
in May, 1809, was there married in 1840 to Margaret
McMillan, who was born in Scotland in 1811. They came
to Canada and settled in West Williams, County of
Middlesex, in 1847, and began as pioneers, making a fine
farm out of wild land, and on this property both died,
he in 1892 and she in 1893. They were consistent
members of the Prsbyterian Church, and in his native
land John Galbraith was an elder. Seven children were
born to them: Mary died in Canada at the age of seven
years. Duncan, born in Scotland, in 1843, was killed by
a falling tree when a young man. Donald, born in
Scotland in 1845, married Mary A. Hill, of Galt and now
resides in the County of Middlesex, where he is a
farmer; his family consists of four children, Margaret,
John, Frederick and Jean B. Margaret, born in Scotland,
in 1846, married Angus McLachlan, a resident of the
County of Middlesex, and they have nine children --
Mary, Archie, Maggie, Kate, John, Angus, Donald, Willie
and Janet. Lachlan, born in Canada in 1849, married
Agnes Lake, of the County of Middlesex, and they settled
on the old homestead where they still reside; they have
four children, John D., Bessie, Maggie and Mary. Mary,
born in 1855, married George Clark, who lives at Bad
Axe, Michigan, where he is a grain and cattle buyer;
they have five children, George, John, Donald Archie and
Oliver. Elizabeth, born in March 1853, was reared to
young womanhood in the county of Middlesex, where she
received a good education, and is now the wife of Duncan
Galbraith. (7) Mary married Alexander McLeish, who
settled at East Williams, County of Middlesex, where he
became a large land owner and well-to-do citizen. They
had a family of six children, Archie, Lachlan,
Elizabeth, Mary, Alexander (deceased) and Margaret.
Mrs. McLeish died in May, 1885. (8) Duncan, born in
1811, an exemplary young man, learned the carpenter's
trade, and died at the age of 28 years, in Glasgow..
Lachlan and Mary (Glen)
Galbraith, the parents of Duncan, are fully spoken of in
the sketch of his brother, John Galbraith.
Duncan Galbraith was reared
and educated in the schools of Harwich. In November,
1863, he married Elizabeth Galbraith, and they first
settled on his father's farm, but three years later
removed to their present pleasant place, adjoining the
homestead, where Mr. Galbraith has erected substantial
buildings and cleared up a large portion of his farm, as
well as the one left him by his father. In 1875 he
purchased the McBrayne farm, on the town line, adjoining
the homestead, and he is one of the substantial property
owners of the township. He and his sons have made
extensive improvements upon their property, which is
kept in a fine state of cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs.
Galbraith one daughter and four sons have been born:
John, born in 1875, was reared at the home, received a
good education in the home schools and the Collegiate
Institute at Ridgetown, and died in Calgary in July,
1901, just as his young life was spreading out, filled
with great promise. Duncan A. born in September, 1875,
is unmarried and at the homestead. Maggie, born in
1878, was reared at home and received a good education,
and was a most lovable young lady; she died in October,
1894. Donald, born in 1880, is unmarried and at home,
where he is engaged in farming. Angus, born in June,
1883, is at home. Religiously the father, mother and
children are members of the Presbyterian Church, in
which they are all active workers. The political
opinions of Mr. Galbraith make him a member of the old
government party, the Reformers. His uprightness and
integrity of character, as well as his steadfastness of
purpose and thrift, have made him one of the successful
men of his locality, and he is highly esteemed by all
who know him.
p.278-279
