Elmer Ellsworth Galbreath
Among the men of Cincinnati who have gained success through wisely directed effort there are few more inspiring examples than that presented in the life of E. E. Galbreath, president of the Second National Bank. He is a native of Georgetown, Ohio, born February 1, 1864, a son of W. T. Galbreath, who was born at Georgetown January 29, 1818, and married Nancy McClain, a native of the same place. Mr. Galbreath Sr. became very prominent as a banker and was for many years connected with the Ripley National Bank. He was an intimate personal friend of General U. S. Grant and lived to be over four score years of age, his death occurring in 1899. The family is of Scotch lineage, the ancestry having been traced back many generations in Scotland.
After receiving his preliminary education in the public schools Mr. Galbreath of this review entered the Ripley High School from which he was graduated in 1882. He then went into Ripley National Bank as assistant cashier, in which position he continued for a number of years, when he was made cashier. Subsequently he was appointed by the federal government as National Bank Examiner for the district and filled that position very acceptably for four years, during which time he gained much experience which assisted him greatly in assuming new responsibilities. He was elected vice president of the Second National Bank of Cincinnati in 1905 and in January 1911, was made president of this institution, a position which he has since filled. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Norwood National Bank and the Mercantile Library.
On the 11th of June 1889, Mr. Galbreath was married to Miss Bessie Torrence, a native of Mercer, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Dr. J. W. Torrence. Five children came to brighten their home, Torrence, Joseph, George, Ralph and Kathryn.
In politics Mr. Galbreath supports the candidates and principles of the Republican Party and his religious faith is indicated by membership in the Presbyterian church to which he is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and has taken the Scottish Rite and thirty-second degree. He also holds membership in the Bankers’ Club of Cincinnati, the Business Men’s Club, the Queen City Club and the Avondale Golf Club. He has always been prompt and efficient in business and has shown a capacity and clearness of perception in meeting emergencies, which mark the true leader. He was fortunate in early receiving thorough instruction in his chosen vocation and there are few men in Cincinnati whose judgment in large financial matters is more readily accepted. Being now in the prime of life with apparently many years before him of increasing prosperity and usefulness, he may be regarded as peculiarly fortunate, and he sees no reason to regret his selection of Cincinnati as a home.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III by Rev. Charles Fredric Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912