Galey and Cunningham Ancestors

Long Ago, in a Galaxy far away...

Some years ago - about a half century, to be exact - Zoleta Galey donned her futuristic "solar" glasses in preparation for a solar eclipse that would not occur until March 21, 2017. In fact, she was attending a JayCee convention with husband, Gary. (But that, too, was long ago and far away!)

Cousins of Cunningham sisters gather in Mesa, Arizona 2017

Karen and Larry Miller at Black Hills Cemetery Columbarium

Located just south of Sturgis, South Dakota, the Black Hills National Cemetery is a beautiful setting. In late May 2017, Karen and Larry visited the columbarium site of Karen's cousin, Kenny Kritenbrink, who died in 2016.

Geraldine Kritenbrink and sons, Roger and Kenny - Undated

Appears to be a rural setting -- perhaps near Whitney, Nebraska?

Abe, Roger, Geraldine and Kenny Kritenbrink - Undated

Taken at O'Neill Photo in Chadron, Nebraska, probably in the early 1940s. Roger and Kenny's maternal grandparents were Rayburn and Margaret Cunningham, long-time Whitney residents.

The Kritenbrink boys - Undated

Kenny, father Abe, and Roger. Unknown location.

Kenny Kritenbrink with daughter Kristi and son Kelly

Recent undated photograph (ca. 2016).

Kenny Kritenbrink at about 30-year-intervals

The photo at left was taken at the Galey family reunion in the summer of 2016; the middle photo is believed to have been taken on Kenny's 50th birthday in 1984; at the far right, he's shown as a Seaman Recruit in the U.S. Navy, taken in 1954.

Galey family reunion - June 18, 2016

Group photo take at Wilson Park in Chadron, Nebraska. Standing (l-to-r): Angela Miller, Bradley Miller, Larry Miller, Jon Blosser, Reed Sciarillo, Peggy Sciarillo, Jason Brandt, Jay Galey, Meloni ________, Gary Gene Galey, Naomi Galey, Jaycy Galey, Bob Galey, Linda Turnbull, John Turnbull, Gary Galey, Ranee Mann, and Sally Kritenbrink. Seated (l-to-r): Karen Miller, Desiree Brandt, Annika Miller, Kenny Kritenbrink, Ava _________, Ed Mann, Tatum Mann, Zoleta Galey, Heather Fox, Bryce Fox, and Roger Kritenbrink.

1934 - ELISHA AND ELIZA CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Thanks to Jon Blosser for sharing these photos of a 50th anniversary gathering of Elisha and Eliza Galey in 1934. This is from an album of photographs belonging to Mary (Galey) Olson and passed along by her granddaughter, Terry Ingles. Standing (l-r) are: Ethel Galey, Mary Galey, Frank Galey, Oma Galey, John Evenson, and Blanche (Galey) Evenson. In front are: Mary's daughter Lola Olson, Blanche's son Bob in Grandpa Elisha's lap, Mary's daughter Emma Lou Olson, and Grandma Eliza Galey. Note: Terry Ingles' mother, Emma Lou Olson, is seated between Grandma and Grandpa Galey.

Oma (Galey) Blosser - undated

This photo of Oma (Galey) Blosser in Montana is from an album that belonged to Mary (Galey) Olson. Mary's granddaughter, Terry Ingles, was kind enough to pass the album along to Jon Blosser, who shared these photos with us. Thank you Jon and Terry!

Alfred V. Cunningham family - Ca. 1889

Thanks to Peggy Mosher Sciarillo for sharing this wonderful old photo of the Alfred V. Cunningham family, taken in about 1889 -- probably in front of their home in Trumbull or Giltner, Nebraska. Parents Alfred and Mary Jane Cunningham are seated. The oldest boy (standing at left) is Rayburn. Clarence is on his father's lap, while Lawson is on his mother's lap. The note on the back of the picture states that Rayburn and Clarence were born in Onargo, Illinois, while Lawson was born in Trumbull, Nebraska. Both Giltner and Trumbull are in Hamilton County, just a few miles southeast of Hastings, Nebraska.

Gary Galey, Karen (Galey) Miller, and Jon Blosser

Three descendants of Elisha and Eliza (Milleson) Galey met March 19, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona for lunch and a fun conversation about family and their research into Galey ancestors. Gary Galey (left) came from Crawford, Nebraska; Karen (Galey) Miller came from Spearfish, SD; and Jon Blosser came from Glendale, AZ.

Bob & Naomi Galey inducted into Dawes County Ag Hall of Fame

August 3, 2014 - For more than 50 years, Bob and Naomi Galey have been engaged in a farm and ranch operation just east of Whitney, Nebraska. They've been recognized as leaders in agriculture, helping to "…change the quality of life…and making Dawes County a better place to live."

Dawes County Agriculture Hall of Fame certificate

Dawes County Agriculture Hall of Fame certificate presented to Bob and Naomi on August 3, 2014.

Galey family members

Coming forward to share this special moment were (at left) Naomi and Bob Galey, accompanied by their daughter, Linda Turnbull, and her husband John; Bob Galey's sister, Karen Miller, and Bob's brother, Gary Galey.

More of the Galey clan!

Family members helped Bob and Naomi Galey celebrate their induction into the Dawes County Agricultural Hall of Fame at the County Fairgrounds in Chadron. Left-to-right in the back: Gary Galey, Gene Galey, and Karen Galey; Middle row: Bob Galey, Naomi Galey, Linda Turnbull, and John Turnbull; front: Zoleta Galey.

Linda (Galey) Turnbull)

Daughter Linda (Galey) Turnbull was able to attend the event. Daughter Brenda Galey, alas, lives in Australia and was not able to attend.

Warren E. Galey (1922-2014)

Warren Galey of Tell City, Indiana, was a key researcher of Galey genealogy. He died March 13, 2014, at age 91. We have posted his full obituary on the Galey Archives website.

Warren Galey's "Galey Genealogy"

Warren was an early researcher of Galey genealogy. While the excellent publication he authored some years ago is undated, it provides detailed lineage reports on the family. He wrote that it "…lacks much of being complete and perhaps more of being correct. With your help we can make it more complete." While we found little about Karen's Galey line (Elisha Galey), it has a wealth of information about related Galey families and their ancestors. We should all be appreciative of Warren's good work on this publication, which was printed by McDowell Publications in Utica, Kentucky.

Warren Galey's home in Tell City, Indiana

Warren Galey's home in Indiana as it looked when Karen and Larry Miller visited Warren and his wife, Shirley, in 2006.

Karen Miller and Warren Galey

Karen (Galey) Miller of Spearfish, South Dakota with distant cousin Warren Galey of Tell City, Indiana. When we visited with Warren, we knew that he was a Navy veteran, but we had no inkling about the depth and breadth of his military experience. Like many of that era, we found that he did not dwell on such things — at least not in our conversations.

Warren and Shirley Galey - 2006

Warren Galey and his wife, Shirley. April 2006. Return to Galey Archives.

Doris Rising Hamaker (1922-2014)

DORIS RISING HAMAKER (1922-2014) On April 12, 2014, Doris Hamaker celebrated her 92nd birthday. Eleven days later, she passed away at Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, Nebraska. An overflow crowd attended her funeral service in Crawford on Monday, April 28, 2014. Not a Galey by birth or marriage -- but her daughter Zoleta married Garold Galey, and her husband, Tom, was a cousin to Ila Belle (Hamaker) Sibert, whose daughter married another Galey -- Gary's brother Bob. Doris was well known for her great sense of humor, her candor, an infectious smile, and the best cinnamon rolls this side of heaven, where she now surely shares her treats with all the angels!

Family of Elisha and Eliza Galey - Ca. 1904

Here's a wonderful image sent to us by Jon Blosser. Taken in Missouri in about 1904, it shows Elisha and Eliza Ellen (Milleson) Galey seated in the center. We're now quite certain that the lady in the back is Elisha's mother, Elizabeth Sprinkle Galey. She was born in 1821 in Perry County, Indiana, and died in 1912. She would have been about 83 years old when this picture was taken. The Galey children here include: Albert Leslie on his father's lap; Lee Franklin on his mother's lap; Clara Jane at right, and oldest son James Thomas behind her. Legend has it that Clara wasn't happy about the photograph, so she blemished the area over her face. You can click on the photo to see a larger image. And thanks, again, to Jon Blosser for sharing this photograph.

Can you identify this lady?

Having now solved the identity issue with Elizabeth Sprinkle Galey, we turn our attention to this lady. Any ideas? We'll keep exploring --- with an eye on the e-mail IN basket!

Clara Jane Galey (seated at right) - undated

Another photo courtesy of Jon Blosser. It's undated, and except for the lady on the right, we don't know who the other people are. Seated at right is Clara Jane Galey, daughter of Elisha and Eliza Galey. Born in 1895 in Missouri, she was with the family as they made their trek to Montana around the time of World War I. Unlike the rest of her siblings, Clara remained in Montana. She died in Buffalo, Montana in January of 1926 at the age of 30. To get a closer look at any of the photos in this gallery, simply click on the image and select a larger version from the menu at the top of the page. Return to Galey Archives.

Marriage of Bob and Naomi (Sibert) Galey - 1962

Reverend H. C. Johnson presided over the marriage of Naomi Jean Sibert and Robert Alan Galey on October 19, 1962. They were both 31 years old. The marriage took place at the Warring Memorial Methodist Church in Whitney, Nebraska, where they remain steadfast members.

Cousins Zoleta and Naomi – and brothers Bob and Gary

Taken on October 19, 1962, at the wedding of Bob and Naomi (Sibert) Galey in Whitney, Nebraska. Left-to-right are: Zoleta (Hamaker) Galey, Naomi (Sibert) Galey, and brothers Robert and Garold Galey. Zoleta and Naomi are also cousins, as well as sisters-in-law.

Karen Galey-Larry Miller wedding group

Taken at the First Methodist Church in Chadron, Nebraska, on December 28, 1963. Not shown is Rev. H. C. Johnson, who conducted the wedding ceremony.

Cunningham sisters and their families in California - Ca. 1948

Something of a "mini-Family Reunion" as three of the Cunningham sisters and some of their families gather near the corner of Atwater and Gracia streets in the Los Angeles area. Probably taken in about 1948-50. Click on the photograph to select a larger version from the menu at the top. The "big folks" identified in the photo (left-to-right) are Roger Kritenbrink, little Jack Mosher, Elva Mosher, Dick Mosher, Lois Thompson, Abe Kritenbrink, Geraldine Kritenbrink, Kenny Kritenbrink, and Gordon Thompson. The younger girl in front is Peggy Mosher. Standing right behind her is her cousin, Betty Thompson.

Elisha Galey - 1956

This photograph of Elisha Galey was taken in 1956 when he was about 93 years old. It was taken in Canby, Oregon, where he lived much of his later life. He died in December 1958 at the age of 95.

Undated photo of Elisha Galey

Elisha Galey (1863-1958) was born in Branchville, Indiana, the fourth child of Simon and Elizabeth Galey. The family moved to northwest Missouri in the 1870s and settled in the rolling hills and fertile farmlands of the Nodaway River valley. Elisha dropped out of school to help his mother and four sisters make ends met. He married Eliza Ellen Milleson on May 15, 1884 in Skidmore, Missouri. Among others jobs, Elisha was employed by the Burlington Railroad, but he also worked for the county -- helping to build bridges and maintain roads. Elisha and Eliza had had 11 children, eight of whom lived to adulthood. It was probably between 1907 and 1914 that they moved to Montana, where they lived in the Fort Maginnis area near the Judith Mountains. After about 10 more years, they pushed on to the Pacific northwest. Elisha died in Canby,Oregon in 1958.

Eliza (Milleson) Galey - undated photo

Eliza Ellen Milleson (1867-1953) was born in Taberville, Missouri to Jehu and Phebe (Potter) Milleson. The sixth child in a family of seven, she was raised in Missouri and married Elisha Galey in 1884. Their children included Joseph Simon, Liddy Evaline, James Thomas, Isaac Elmer, Clara Jane, Leslie Albert, Franklin Lee, Mary Elizabeth, Ethel Laverne, Blanche Cora, and Oma Louise. The family eventually moved to Montana -- and then on to Washington and Oregon. She passed away in 1953 in Canby, Oregon. She is buried in the Belle Passe Cemetery in Woodburn, Oregon.

Stanley Johnson – 2010

Stanley Johnson of St. Joseph, Missouri, is a great grandson of Simon and Elizabeth (Sprinkle) Galey. He's raised the question about whether there is Cherokee Indian blood within the Galey clan. It's an intriguing question. Return to: Story in Galey Archives

Winnie Galey Marshall with Darlene Allison. Undated, and we don't know for sure where the photo was taken. The 21 country car behind them is from Scotts Bluff County in Nebraska. Our thanks to Stanley Johnson of St. Joseph, Missouri, for providing this photograph and identifying the subjects. Winnie was the eighth child of Simon and Elizabeth (Sprinkle) Galey. She was born in 1866 in Indiana and married Ben Marshall in Falls City, Nebraska, in 1881. She died 2 November 1945 in Barnard, Missouri.

This is an undated photograph of Jehu and Martha (Potter) Milleson. The boy in this photo is not identified. Jehu and Phebe were the parents of Eliza Ellen Milleson, who married Elisha Galey in 1884. The Milleson family is very prevalent throughout much of northern Missouri and southern Iowa.

James Thomas Galey was born in 1890 near Skidmore, Missouri, the son of Elisha and Eliza (Milleson) Galey. When the family moved from Missouri to Montana prior to World War I, "Tom" likely went along -- but he didn't stay. He eventually found his way to Dawes County, Nebraska, where he met Eva Cunningham. They married in 1933. Tom farmed east of Chadron and then just east of Whitney. He and Eva had six children. For many years, most everyone assumed that Tom was 58 years old when he died in 1958. In fact, while his tombstone in Whitney indicates he was born in 1900, legal documents say otherwise -- revealing that he was actually born in 1890.

Albert Leslie Galey (1898-1991) was born in Skidmore, Missouri to Elisha and Eliza Galey. Whatever the reason, he was the only family member to remain in the Missouri River valley region. He married Mary Luella Nauman in 1946; while they had no children, their farming and grocery businesses kept them active for many years -- both in Missouri and southern Iowa. In later years, Les and Mary moved to a retirement home in Columbia, Missouri, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Les died in 1991.

Mary Luella Nauman (1908-2004) was born in Oberlin, Kansas to Hiram and Bessie (Ream) Nauman. While we know little about Mary's early years, we were fortunate enough to meet her when we finally tracked down Les Galey, whom she had married in 1946 in Kansas. And what a delightful person she was! It was the 1980s before we came to know Mary, but we enjoyed corresponding with her for many years until she passed away in 2004.

Lee Franklin (Frank) Galey (1900-1987).

Frank Galey in front of his Woodburn, Oregon, home in June of 1979.

Mary (Galey) and Chris Olson. Undated photo. Mary was born in Missouri in 1903 and passed away in Washington state 1993 at the age of 90.

Thanks to Jon Blosser, son of Ivan and Oma (Galey) Blosser, for identifying these two young ladies. The photo is undated, but the girls are the daughters of Mary and Chris Olson (seen above). Lola Olson is on the left, and her older sister Emma Lou Olson is on the right. Regrettably, Lola died of cancer a few years ago. We understand that Emma Lou still lives in Oregon.

Ethel Galey Pond. Date and location of photo are not yet known. Cousin Jon Blosser says the dog's name was Rusty.