GALE BROTHERS, farmers, P. O. Thebes. Among the better class of farmers of Alexander County, none stand higher than the gentlemen whose names head this sketch. They are four in number, G. W., Lawrence, Bernard and G. N., sons of James and Mary Gale, and were; born in Lincoln County, Mo.; George in 1826, Lawrence in 1831, Bernard in 1835, and Norman in 1837. All received the education their | native county afforded, and when manhood's estate was reached, the bi-others took different directions and vocations in life. The two older went to California in 1850, and there followed mining. Bernard remained at home upon the farm, and Norman, the youngest of them all, followed different vocations; first sold merchandise at Charleston, Mo., and also ran a sawmill near that town. In 1867, he purchased part of the present farm — a tract of 200 acres in Section 34. His brother, Bernard, joined him a year or two after, and in 1878 the two older brothers returned from California, and the four together undertook the management of the place. They have since purchased 300 acres in Sections 32 and 33, and now have about 250 acres in cultivation. All still remain in the state of single blessedness. A sister, Leah, acts as housekeeper. All are members of St. Vincent Catholic Church at Cape Girardeau, and in politics, are true to the Democratic party.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, pages 236-237.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
 |
Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
