C. B. Galbreath, History of Ohio, Chicago: American Historical Society, 1925
GEORGE THOMAS GALE, M. D.
A remarkable record of service in one profession had been accorded by the Gale family of Washington County. Three successive generations of the Gales have practiced medicine along the Ohio River, both in Ohio and West Virginia, their services extending over a century. The middle generation is represented by Dr. George Thomas Gale of Newport, Washington County. His son is his associate and partner in practice. Doctor Gale practiced medicine where he was born December 23, 1851, and where his father began his career as a physician 102 years ago. [1823]
Doctor Gale had the distinction of being the grandson of an English dragoon who was of Irish birth, who came to the American Colonies previous to the American Revolution. He remained in the Colonies, and evidently was an enthusiastic admirer of the great leader of the War of the Revolution, since he named one of his sons George Washington Gale. In 1820, the Gale family moved over the Alleghany Mountains to Raven Rock, in what is now West Virginia, just six miles above the present location of Newport, Ohio. The old English soldier still later moved on further west and spent his last days at Cape Girardeau.
George Washington Gale, the pioneer of the family in the medical profession, was born on the Potomac River in Hampshire County, now West Virginia, in 1798. He started medicine in Baltimore under the famous physician, Dr. Nathan R. Smith, who was associated with the University of Maryland. While his home was over the river in West Virginia, his practice from the first extended to the country on the Ohio side, including what is now Newport in Washington County and finally in 1840, he moved to that town and lived there until his death in 1876.
He was a fine type of the old country physician and surgeon, a man of rugged physique and great endurance with the utmost devotion to duty. His practice extended up and down both sides of the river for a distance of forty miles, extending will back into the hills. His trips frequently took him away from home for days at a time, and he crossed back and forth over the Ohio River in canoes, swimming his horse behind. In spite of the exposure and hardships of such an occupation he reached the good old age of seventy-nine. He was a democrat in politics; the family then, as now were Catholic.
Dr. George Washington Gale married Katherine Wells, who died at the age of sixty-seven. Her father was Nicholas Wells, a farmer at Long Beach, West Virginia. Six sons and six daughters were born to George Washington Gale and his wife. The five now living are: Alcinda B. and Rachel, who occupy the old family home at Newport; Nicholas Wells Gale, a retired farmer; Constantine, who graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and practiced at Pittsburgh and New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and now is retired; and George Thomas.
Four of his sons of George Washington Gale are members of the medical profession. Of those deceased, one was Dr. John Whitten Gale, who graduated from Jefferson Medical College, practiced for some years at Hamilton, Ohio, and was serving as coroner of Butler County when his official duties included the inquest over the noted attorney Vallandigham who in 1871 met death in the accidental discharge of a pistol in his own hand in the courtroom, with which he was illustrating his theory of the manner in which a homicide had taken place. The other deceased children of George Washington Gale were: Mary who died at the age of twenty years; Veronica, wife of Dr. Stephenson of Parkersburg, West Virginia; Ellen, who died when forty-eight; Ada, who was the wife of William Kelley, a foundrymen at Parkersburg, West Virginia; Dr. Hammitt Gale, who received training in Baltimore where he practiced dentistry in that city, and Dr. Bernard Gale, a graduate of Baltimore Medical College, and was associated in practice with his brother, George T., until his death in 1892.
George Thomas Gale acquired his early education in the home schools at Newport, began the study of medicine in his father’s office, and then took his course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1874, just half a century ago. One of his schoolmates was Dr. W. L. West of New Matamoras, Ohio, and they practiced together a year ad have been lifelong friends. Doctor Gale is an accomplished man in his profession and has taken post-graduate work in Philadelphia Polyclinic. He was associated with his father until the latter’s death, and then spent a year with Doctor West in New Matamoras, and afterward he resumed his work at Newport. He has been a member of the Washington County Medical Society since its organization, belongs to the Ohio State and American Medical associations, was for years president of the local school board and has been a member of the Pension Examining Board since the Wilson Administration. He has been county democratic executive committeeman and his family is members of St. Mary’s Church. Doctor Gale was a volunteer during the Spanish-American war. For thirty years he has been successfully identified with oil production in Ohio, West Virginia and Illinois. His hobby is good horses, and his fondness for them has been little diminished by the general introduction of the automobile. Doctor Gale married Miss Myra Hays, daughter of Richard and Maria Greene Hays, who were pioneers in this part of Ohio. Mrs. Gale is a direct descendant of [Judge Philip Greene], and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Three children were born to them, the only daughter dying in infancy. The son, George Hays Gale, born in 1883, was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College in 1906, at Philadelphia, and is now carrying some of the heavier burdens of practice for his father.
The other son, Larry Richard Gale, attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, but graduated in medicine from the University at Cincinnati. During World War I, he was in training as a medical officer at Fort Riley, Kansas and at Fort Beauregard, Louisiana, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps. He rendered notable service and had been ordered for oversees duty with the Army division that had been stationed at Panama, but the influenza outbreak caused him to be detailed for service with the troops in home camps, and he never went overseas. This distinguished physician died September 23, 1923.
Dr. George Hays Gale was chairman of the war board in Newport Township, received a Lieutenant’s commission on October 17, 1918, but the armistice was signed before he was called to duty.
The following note has been sent to us by Carolyn Gale:
There are two new physicians in the Gale family after skipping a generation. They are the children of George Thomas Gale II. Julie Catherine Gale Verchick,MD, Emergency Services Physician, graduated from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and is curently practicing in Pinehurst, N.C. Michael Gale, MD, is a graduate of Bowman Gray College of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., and, following the Gale tradition of family practice, is currently practicing in Provo, Utah.
See Gale family photos on Gale family photos page
Descendants of George Gale
Generation No. 1
1. CAPT. GEORGE1 GALE was born in Ireland. He married MARY MCKEIRNON in Ireland. She was born in County Leitrim, Parish of Drumsville, Barony, Carrigallen.
Children of GEORGE GALE and MARY MCKEIRNON are:
i. JOHNNY2 GALE, b. Bef. 1799, Ireland.
ii. MCKEIRNON GALE, b. Bef. 1799, Ireland.
2. iii. DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON GALE, b. 21 Mar 1799, Hampshire County, Va; d. 25 Jul 1878, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
iv. BIDDIE GALE, b. Bet. 1800 - 1817.
v. LORETTA GALE, b. Bet. 1800 - 1817.
vi. THERESA GALE, b. Bet. 1800 - 1817.
vii. ELLEN GALE, b. 10 Jul 1803; d. 08 Sep 1871; m. SAMUEL HAMMETT, 22 Jun 1832; b. 25 Oct 1789; d. 20 May 1862.
viii. ALCINDA B. GALE, b. 1805; d. Aft. 1880, Cape Giradeau, MO.
ix. ROBERT GALE, b. 1808; d. Cole Co., Mo; m. ACHEUS BUTLER WELLS, Abt. 1840; b. 1813, Tyler Co., Va.
x. CATHARINE GALE, b. 1810; d. Bef. 1880.
xi. JOHN S GALE, b. 1812; d. 26 Mar 1832.
xii. CONSTINTINE T. GALE, b. 1816.
xiii. WILLIAM H. GALE, b. 1818; d. Aft. 1880.
Generation No. 2
2. DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON2 GALE (GEORGE1) was born 21 Mar 1799 in Hampshire County, Virginia, and died 25 Jul 1878 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He married CATHERINE ADAMS WELLS Abt. 1836. She was born 15 Jun 1815 in Tyler Co., Virginia, and died 06 Apr 1881 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
Children of GEORGE GALE and CATHERINE WELLS are:
i. DR. JOHN WITTEN GALE, b. 1838, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1871, Butler Co., Ohio.
ii. MARY GALE, b. 06 Feb 1839, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 26 Mar 1860.
iii. ALCINDA B GALE, b. Feb 1841, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1931, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
iv. RACHEL GALE, b. Nov 1843, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1928, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
v. ELLEN GALE, b. Jun 1845, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1909, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
3. vi. DR NICHOLAS WELLS GALE, b. Dec 1846, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1924.
4. vii. VERONICA GALE, b. 1847, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 1890, Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia.
viii. DR CONSTANTINE T. GALE, b. 28 Jan 1850; d. 28 Jun 1934, Burial, Newport Cem.; m. LUCY STEPHENSON; b. 1856; d. 1937.
5. ix. DR. GEORGE THOMAS GALE, b. 22 Dec 1852, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 09 Oct 1946, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
6. x. DR. SAMUEL HAMMETT XAVIER GALE, b. 1853, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. Baltimore, Maryland.
xi. ADA GALE, b. 1856, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 13 Nov 1895, Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia; m. WILLIAM HENRY FRANCIS KELLY; d. Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia.
7. xii. DR. CHARLES BERNARD GALE, b. 07 Feb 1858, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 18 Dec 1892, Newport; Burial, Newport Cemetery.
Generation No. 3
3. DR NICHOLAS WELLS GALE (GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born Dec 1846 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 1924. He married FAIRIE E. MCKINZIE. She was born 1855, and died 1924.
Children of NICHOLAS GALE and FAIRIE MCKINZIE are:
i. CON T. GALE.
ii. LUCY GALE.
iii. WILLIAM GALE, b. Jan 1887, West Virginia.
4. VERONICA GALE (GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 1847 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 1890 in Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia. She married DR. JAMES MCNEIL STEPHENSON 20 Nov 1866. He was born Aug 1840 in West Virginia, and died Aft. 1900 in Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia.
Children of VERONICA GALE and JAMES STEPHENSON are:
i. EDWARD G. STEPHENSON.
ii. KATHERINE STEPHENSON, b. Oct 1870.
iii. MARY B. STEPHENSON, b. Feb 1876.
iv. ADAH G. STEPHENSON, b. 1879.
v. ELEANOR H. STEPHENSON, b. Mar 1882.
vi. GALE G. STEPHENSON, b. Oct 1883.
vii. CHARLES STEPHENSON, b. Jun 1885.
viii. MONICA STEPHENSON, b. Jun 1888.
5. DR. GEORGE THOMAS GALE (GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 22 Dec 1852 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 09 Oct 1946 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He married MYRA CATHERINE HAYS 06 Feb 1883 in Washington Co., OH, daughter of RICHARD HAYS and MARIA(H) GREENE. She was born 19 Jul 1858 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 01 Aug 1933 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
Children of GEORGE GALE and MYRA HAYS are:
i. MARIE H. GALE, b. 17 Oct 1887, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 22 Oct 1887, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
8. ii. DR. LARRY RICHARD GALE, b. 28 Feb 1891, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 23 Sep 1923, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
9. iii. DR. GEORGE HAYS GALE, b. 06 Nov 1883, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 10 Nov 1967, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
6. DR. SAMUEL HAMMETT XAVIER GALE (GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 1853 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died in Baltimore, Maryland. He married MARY G WRIGHT. She was born Abt. 1854 in Maryland.
Child of SAMUEL GALE and MARY WRIGHT is:
i. HAMMETT E. GALE, b. Abt. 1878.
7. DR. CHARLES BERNARD GALE (GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 07 Feb 1858 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 18 Dec 1892 in Newport; Burial, Newport Cemetery. He married MARGARET GRANT HADLEY 24 Jan 1883 in Washington Co., OH, daughter of JOHN HADLEY and MARGARET SCOTT. She was born 29 Jan 1865 in Belpre, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 1950 in Newport; Burial, Newport Cemetery.
Child of CHARLES GALE and MARGARET HADLEY is:
i. MARY BERNARDINE GALE, b. 12 May 1884, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 15 Dec 1973, Newport; Burial, Newport Cemetery.
Generation No. 4
8. DR. LARRY RICHARD GALE (GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 28 Feb 1891 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 23 Sep 1923 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He married ALICE ELIZABETH NEPTUNE 10 Jun 1920, daughter of A. E. NEPTUNE. She was born 28 Sep 1897, and died 1984.
Children of LARRY GALE and ALICE NEPTUNE are:
i. WILLIAM HAMMET GALE, b. Abt. 1922; d. Bef. 1988.
10. ii. LARRY RICHARD II GALE, b. 28 Feb 1921, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 09 Nov 1989, Jefferson City, Cole Co., MO.
iii. MARY ELIZABETH GALE, b. Abt. 1924; m. THEODORE CLINE.
9. DR. GEORGE HAYS GALE (GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 06 Nov 1883 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 10 Nov 1967 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He married CAROLINE ELIZABETH MCGREW 24 Apr 1918 in Washington Co., Ohio, daughter of FRANK MCGREW and LAURA BROWN. She was born 24 Apr 1889 in Chicora, Butler Co., Pennsylvania, and died 24 Aug 1963 in Washington County, Ohio.
Children of GEORGE GALE and CAROLINE MCGREW are:
11. i. G. THOMAS GALE, b. 16 May 1919, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 27 Jan 1990, Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia.
12. ii. MARY CAROLINE GALE, b. 1921, Washington Co OH.
13. iii. KATHRYN MCGREW GALE, b. 1922, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
14. iv. DR. LARREY BERNARD GALE, b. 05 May 1924, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 20 Mar 1984, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio.
v. NINA ALICE GALE, b. 19 May 1926, Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio; d. 18 Sep 1987.
Generation No. 5
10. LARRY RICHARD II GALE (LARRY RICHARD4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 28 Feb 1921 in Washington Co., Ohio, and died 09 Nov 1989 in Jefferson City, Cole Co., MO. He married NORMA SCHULTHEIS 04 Apr 1942, daughter of JACOB SCHULTHEIS and CHLOE THOMPSON. She was born 07 Jan 1922 in Newport Ohio, and died 01 Mar 1988 in Jefferson City, Cole Co., MO.
Children of LARRY GALE and NORMA SCHULTHEIS are:
15. i. MAUREEN GALE,
ii. LARRY RICHARD III GALE,
11. G. THOMAS GALE (GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 16 May 1919 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 27 Jan 1990 in Parkersburg, Wood, Co. West Virginia. He married (1) JULIA CECLILA YEATER 1942, daughter of CLARENCE YEATER and GRACE DAYTON. She was born 1920. He married (2) PAULINE FREED 1975, daughter of FLOYD FREED and THERESA SCHNEIDER.
Children of G. GALE and JULIA YEATER are:
i. CAROLYN ANNE GALE.
16. ii. GEORGE THOMAS (TOBY ) JR. GALE.
17. iii. JUDY CATHARINE GALE.
18. iv. MARY ELLEN (PAT) GALE.
19. v. MICHAEL PATRICK GALE.
20. vi. MYRA JOANNE(JODY) GALE.
vii. DAVID LEWIS GALE.
viii.ANTHONY BERNARD (TONY) GALE, m. (?) COYLER.
12. MARY CAROLINE GALE (GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) She married JOHN HURLEY
Child of MARY GALE and JOHN HURLEY is:
i. GALE ANN HURLEY; m. ANTHONY LEROY.
13. KATHRYN MCGREW GALE (GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 1922 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. She married WILLIAM ABBOT WREN 04 Nov 1948. He was born 28 Sep 1909, and died 06 Nov 1981.
Child of KATHRYN GALE and WILLIAM WREN is:
i. WILLIAM A. II WREN.
14. DR. LARREY BERNARD GALE (GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born 05 May 1924 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio, and died 20 Mar 1984 in Newport Township, Washington Co., Ohio. He married (1) MILLICENT KUHLMAN 1949. He married (2) CHERYL WALTON 1982.
Children of LARREY GALE and MILLICENT KUHLMAN are:
i. MARY MARGARET GALE.
ii. MICHAEL GALE.
Children of LARREY GALE and CHERYL WALTON are:
iii. KATHLEEN GALE.
iv. LARREY W GALE.
Generation No. 6
15. MAUREEN GALE (LARRY RICHARD II5, LARRY RICHARD4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) was born in Of Jefferson City MO. She married RICHARD HAYES.
Children of MAUREEN GALE and RICHARD HAYES are:
i. JENNIFER HAYES.
ii. JEFF HAYES.
16. GEORGE THOMAS (TOBY ) JR. GALE (G. THOMAS5, GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) He married CAROLE MEEHAN, daughter of JAMES MEEHAN.
Children of GEORGE GALE and CAROLE MEEHAN are:
i. DR. JULIA CATHERINE GALE, m. Mr. VERCHICK.
ii. GEORGE THOMAS III GALE.
iii. DR. MICHAEL JOSEPH GALE.
17. JUDY CATHARINE6 GALE (G. THOMAS5, GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) She married RICHARD PARRISH.
Children of JUDY GALE and RICHARD PARRISH are:
i. JASON MATTHEW7 PARRISH.
ii. LEE ANNE PARRISH.
iii. RACHEL ELIZABETH PARRISH.
18. MARY ELLEN (PAT)6 GALE (G. THOMAS5, GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) She married MICHAEL EVAN.
Child of MARY GALE and MICHAEL EVAN is:
i. SHAWN MICHAEL7 EVAN.
19. MICHAEL PATRICK6 GALE (G. THOMAS5, GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) He married JOSOLYN MOUNT.
Children of MICHAEL GALE and JOSOLYN MOUNT are:
i. ANTHONY7 GALE.
ii. JENNIFER GALE.
20. MYRA JOANNE(JODY)6 GALE (G. THOMAS5, GEORGE HAYS4, GEORGE THOMAS3, GEORGE WASHINGTON2, GEORGE1) She married RICHARD LEE HEWITT.
Children of MYRA GALE and RICHARD HEWITT are:
i. JACQUELINE LEE7 HEWITT.
ii. LISA MARIE HEWITT.
