My Genealogy Hound

DAVID GAILEY, whose identification with the interests of Woodson county dates from March, 1870, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in September 1842. His father, James Gailey, was a native of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and was descended from Pennsylvania-German ancestry. In the place of his nativity he married Hannah Hunter, and prior to the Civil war removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he resided until 1867. He then continued his westward journey to Johnson county, Missouri, which was his place of abode until 1870, when he came to Woodson county. He first resided at Chellis, Kansas, then at Kalida and afterward at Yates Center, where he died in the spring of 1890, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a venerable, honorable and respected citizen, who throughout his entire business career had followed the occupation of farming. He voted with the Republican party but took no active part in politics. His wife died during their residence in Delaware county, Ohio. They had several children but our subject is the only one now living. John Gailey, the eldest son, who was a member of the Fifteenth United States regulars, served in the Civil war, was captured at Stone river and died eleven months later in Andersonville prison; William, who was a member of the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer infantry, died in Columbus, Ohio; David is the next of the family; James was a resident of Anderson county, Kansas; Samuel made his home in North Dakota; George lived in Delaware county, Ohio; Mary is the deceased wife of Austin Oldan; Eliza resides in the state of Washington; Angeline became the wife of N. E. Cor, of Missouri, and Anna died in childhood.

David Gailey was reared upon the home farm and received but meager educational privileges. He attended the district schools to some extent and for one year was a student in a select school in Berkshire, Delaware county, Ohio, but the greater part of his time was given to the labors of the fields. His work, however, was interrupted by his military service for when the south attempted the destruction of the Union he enlisted under the Stars and Stripes, becoming a member of the Fifteenth United States regulars, at Columbus, 1861. He was in the army of the Cumberland, with the Fourteenth corps, and the first battle in which he participated was at Shiloh. He afterward took part in the engagements at Corinth, Perryville and Stone River, and about that time was taken ill and was not again in active duty. He had enlisted for three years but on account of disability received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. However, he re-enlisted for six months service in the Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and afterward in the Eighty-eighth regiment of Ohio for one year, serving with the latter command until the close of the war. He was a private and passed through all the hardships and rigors of war, but was ever found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the Old Flag.

When the war was over Mr. Gailey returned to his home in Ohio and resumed farming. He accompanied his father on his various removals, remaining with him until his death. After coming to Woodson county he was here married, on Christmas day of 1871, to Miss Lucinda Gephard, a daughter of Joseph Gephard, a native of Pennsylvania and farmer by occupation. He married Sevilla Miller, also a native of the Keystone state, and unto them have been born the following named: Mrs. Gailey; Mary, wife of Thomas Wilson, of Eureka, California; Franklin, of Yates Center; Joseph and William, also of Yates Center; Samuel, of Eureka, California, and Emma, wife of Edward Gibbons, of Sioux City, Iowa.

In his political affiliations Mr. Gailey has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864. As a citizen he manifests a public-spirited interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides and is as true and loyal to his country today as when his patriotism was manifest on southern battlefields.