Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 586.


B. W. Gally [Editor inserted: Benjamin Willey Gally]

B. W. Gally, one of the prominent business men of the Ojai Valley, was born in Wheeling, Virginia, July 9, 1852. His father, Hon. Thomas M. Gally, was a native of Virginia, a leading Whig politician, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Virginia in 1852 and 1854. His mother, who, before her marriage, was Miss Mary List, was a native of Wheeling and a daughter of H. List, Esq., a leading banker of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Gally had but two children, a son, the subject of this sketch, and a daughter.

B. W. Gally, after receiving a liberal education, was engaged in the banking business until his health became impaired. He was advised by his physician to give up a sedentary business and seek a milder climate; and with that object in view he came to California in 1883. He purchased seventy acres of land, on which was located a pleasure and health resort, one mile east of the town of Nordhoff. This was formerly the property of W. S. McKee. Mr. Gally has improved the place very much by erecting four new buildings. The hotel is on the cottage plan, with main buildings in the middle containing parlor and dining-room, and the cottages affording home conveniences. It is situated on a beautiful lawn, shaded and made delightful by scattering live-oak trees. It is both a winter and a summer resort; is patronized in summer by Californians, and in winter by Eastern people. All are delighted by the grand and picturesque scenery, which meets the eye in every direction. A fine new Presbyterian Church edifice stands near the hotel, and the beautiful tree-embowered town of Nordhoff is only a mile distant. The whole valley is noted for its equitable climate and balmy and health-producing air. In the valley are found mineral springs, and at the hotel an abundance of good water, choice fruits of all kinds, and the best of Jersey milk and butter.

Mr. Gally was united in marriage in 1885 with Miss Mary Davidson, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, and a daughter of Dr. William Davidson of that place. Howard and Killborne, their two children, were born at their present beautiful home. Mr. Gally is possessed of those courteous and agreeable manners so characteristic of the Southern gentleman. In his political views, he is Republican. Mrs. Gally is a member of the Episcopal Church.
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Descendants of Benjamin Willey Gally

1 Benjamin Willey Gally b: 09 Jul 1852 in Wheeling, Ohio Co., VA d: 25 Nov 1893 in Ojai, Ventura Co., CA
.. +Mary Matilda Davison b: 19 Nov 1854 in Jefferson City, Cole Co., Missouri m: 26 May 1885 in Cole Co., MO d: 12 Feb 1953 in Santa Paula, Ventura Co., CA
........ 2 Howard Davison Gally b: 10 Aug 1886 in Ojai, Ventura Co., CA d: 24 Feb 1975 in Ojai, Ventura Co., CA
............ +Agnes Lord b: Abt. 1887
........ 2 Thomas Kilburne Gally b: 17 Aug 1888 in Ventura, Ventura Co., Ca d: 24 Feb 1969 in Pasadena, LA Co., CA
............ +Lillian Norman b: 14 Aug 1890 in Duarte, LA Co., CA m: 14 Sep 1914 in Santa Ana, Orange Co., CA d: 27 Sep 1981 in Pasadena, LA Co., CA
................... 3 Living Gally
................... 3 Living Gally
....................... +Jean Rilla Wilcox b: 20 Feb 1926 in South Pasadena, LA Co., CA d: 02 Jul 1994 in White Ridge, Jefferson Co., CO
................... 3 Mary Viola Gally b: 21 Sep 1917 in Pasadena, LA Co., CA d: 10 Dec 1917 in L.A., CA
........ 2 Benjamin Wiley Brig. Gen. Gally b: 14 May 1893 in Ojai, Ventura Co., CA d: 07 Feb 1962
............ +Ruth Drown b: 10 Dec 1893 d: 01 Mar 1983


Ventura County Republican Project: History and Rootsweb Genealogy posted by Jon Miller and Tony Larson.