ROGER S. GALER Roger S. Galer, one of the prominent attorneys of Mount Pleasant, where he has been located in the practice of his profession for twelve years, was born in Hillsboro, Henry county, Iowa, June 27, 1863, his parents being W. M. and Lucinda (Terrell) Galer. The father was born in Ohio in 1823. His father was a native of Germany and in 1775 crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of  Pennsylvania, whence he afterward removed to Ohio. In the latter state W. M. Galer was reared and in early manhood he removed to Illinois, where he was variously employed until coming to Iowa in 1852. After a brief residence in Lee county he went to Salem and later to Hillsboro, this state. He was one of the early teachers of Iowa, and followed that profession for several years,  contributing to the early intellectual development of the state. In 1864 in response to his country's need he enlisted in the First Iowa Battery and continued with the army for some time after the close of hostilities. Following his return to Hillsboro he was appointed by President Johnson to the position of postmaster and by reappointment served continuously in that office for twenty-six years, or until President Cleveland's second administration, his record surpassing in length of service that of any other postmaster in the state up to that time. On his retirement from the post office he permanently put aside business cares. Long an active worker in the ranks of the republican party, he attended its conventions and put forth effective and far-reaching effort in behalf of party successes. His fraternal relations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1850 he married Miss Lucinda Terrell, the wedding being celebrated in Michigan and they became the parents of four children, who reached adult age. The father died on the 17th of March, 1905, and the mother is still living. Roger S. Galer began his education in the public schools of Hillsboro, Henry county, and afterward attended Howe's Academy, at Mount Pleasant, subsequent to which time he entered the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Subsequently the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He, too, was identified with the educational progress of the state, teaching for two years in Howe's Academy, while for five years he was principal of the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield, and for two years principal of the Iowa City Academy. In the meantime he had entered upon the reading of law and by examination before the supreme court was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1893. Mr. Galer at once located for practice in Mount Pleasant, where he has continued successfully as a member of the bar to the present time. He is accorded a large, general clientage, connecting him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He possesses an extensive library with the contents of which he is largely familiar and in his law practice he shows a thorough comprehension of the principles of jurisprudence and correctness in application and logical deduction in argument that have proven the basic elements of his advancement in a calling wherein success depends entirely upon individual merit and capability. Mr. Galer has gained more than local distinction as an orator, particularly in support of republican principles. An active worker in the party he has served as chairman of the county central committee for a number of terms and has been a delegate to the higher conventions of the party. In his campaign addresses he presents his subject with a clearness and force that never fails to impress his auditors, and while his arguments are based upon strong logic and active reasoning, they are at the same time presented with a simplicity that cannot fail to touch all of his hearers. For six years Mr. Galer served as referee in bankruptcy and he is now a member of the board of education of Mount Pleasant, filling the position for the second term. Deeply interested in the cause of education, his efforts have been a tangible factor in improving the school system of the city and to his labor is largely attributed the revision of the high school course and the establishment of the kindergarten. He has also used his influence for the erection of two additions to school buildings of the city. In addition to his law practice and his public service he is a factor in the business life of this portion of the state, being the vice president of the Hillsboro Savings Bank and the vice president of the Mount Pleasant Telephone Company. On the 23d of March, 1887, Mr. Galer was married to Miss Lola Goan, of Mount Pleasant, a daughter of Andrew Goan, for many years a prominent resident of this city. She was educated in the public and high schools of Mount Pleasant and for many years was a successful teacher here and likewise president of the County Teachers' Association. She has also gained prominence and favorable comment in eastern Iowa as an eloquent and effective speaker, having delivered many addresses at reunions of various kinds, and is today perhaps one of the best known women upon the public platform in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Galer have one son, Paul B., who is a student in the Iowa Wesleyan University of the class of 1909, having completed preparatory work which gained him entrance into that institution. The family home is a fine residence on East Washington street and their social position is among the most prominent of Mount Pleasant's citizens. Fraternally Mr. Galer is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is chairman of its board of trustees, and thus handles its funds. Gifted by nature with strong, intellectual endowments and cultivating his latent talents and through the industry and enterprise which he has brought to bear in the practice of law and in his political work he stands today as a representative citizen of Mount Pleasant, whose influence has been far-reaching. ©2009 Genealogy Trails