Robert Leslie Thomas Galbraith
Encyclopedia
Robert Leslie Thomas "R.L.T." Galbraith (1841 – May 1924) was an Irish
-born merchant and political figure in British Columbia
. He represented Kootenay
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
from 1877 to 1886.
He was born in Raphoe
, County Donegal
, the son of Professor Galbraith, of Scottish
descent, and was educated at the Royal College there. In 1870, he came to Fort Steele
on the Kootenay River
, at that time known as Galbraith's Ferry, to join his brother John who was operating a ferry and general store there. Galbraith was first elected to the assembly in an 1877 by-election held following the death of William Cosgrove Milby. He was chairman of the assembly's Committee of Ways and Means and Supplies. Galbraith later served as justice of the peace
and was Indian agent for the southeast part of the province. He became known as the "Grand Old Man of the Kootenays". In 1913, at the age of 72, Galbraith married Ella Fleming, a 39 year old woman from England.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born merchant and political figure in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He represented Kootenay
Kootenay (provincial electoral district)
Kootenay was a provincial electoral district in the province of British Columbia, Canada, from 1871 to 1890. It was originally a two-member riding until the 1875 election; from 1878, it was a one-member seat until its partition for the 1890 election into East Kootenay and West Kootenay...
in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
from 1877 to 1886.
He was born in Raphoe
Raphoe
Raphoe is a town in County Donegal, part of the province of Ulster in Ireland. It is the main town in the fertile district of East Donegal known as the Laggan, as well as giving its name to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe and the Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.-Name:Raphoe,...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, the son of Professor Galbraith, of Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
descent, and was educated at the Royal College there. In 1870, he came to Fort Steele
Fort Steele, British Columbia
Fort Steele is a heritage town in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. It is located north of the Crowsnest Highway along Highways 93 and 95, northeast of Cranbrook.-History:...
on the Kootenay River
Kootenay River
The Kootenay is a major river in southeastern British Columbia, Canada and the northern part of the U.S. states of Montana and Idaho. It is one of the uppermost major tributaries of the Columbia River, which is the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
, at that time known as Galbraith's Ferry, to join his brother John who was operating a ferry and general store there. Galbraith was first elected to the assembly in an 1877 by-election held following the death of William Cosgrove Milby. He was chairman of the assembly's Committee of Ways and Means and Supplies. Galbraith later served as justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
and was Indian agent for the southeast part of the province. He became known as the "Grand Old Man of the Kootenays". In 1913, at the age of 72, Galbraith married Ella Fleming, a 39 year old woman from England.