In Memoriam - December 19th

Great Swamp Fight Monument

1675 Captain John Gallop during the Narragansett Swamp Fight near present South Kingston, Rhode Island.  When King Philip's war broke out, although he was over sixty, age had not quenched his martial ardor.  New London County having raised seventy men under Captain John Mason of Norwich, Captain Gallup joined with him at the head of the Mohegans.  These troops forming a junction with those of the other colonies, were engaged in the fearful swamp fight at Narragansett, Dec. 19, 1675, (within the limits of the present town of South Kingston, RI).  In storming this fort he led his men bravely forward and was one of the six captains who fell in this memorable fight.  A complete victory was here gained over the savage foe, but with a great loss of life on both sides.  Capt. Gallup was a brave and valuable officer and was loved and respected by his men. 

Baptized in Bridport, England ca. 1621, John was the son of John & Christabel (Brushett) Gallop.  The family immigrated to Massachusetts in 1633.  He married Hannah Lake and they had ten children:  Hannah, John, Mary, Margaret, Benadam, William, Esther, Samuel, Christobel and Elizabeth.  John moved his family to Connecticut in 1643 where he served as a representative at the General Court.

1974 Elmer E. Gallagher, 81, of East Alton died at 4:45 p.m. Thursday in the Madison County Nursing Company.

He was born March 30, 1893, in East Saint Louis, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A. Gallagher.  He was married to Louie Boswell on Aug. 17, 1920 in Mount Vernon.  She survives.

He leaves sons Hugh Gallagher of Wood River, Jack Gallagher of Hayward, Cal., Lesley Gallagher of Edwardsville and Edwin Gallagher of Prairietown; a daughter, Mrs. Jerry (June) Link, of Edwardsville; sisters Mrs. Flara Tribble of Brazil, Ind., and Mrs. Faye Miller of Tucson, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Gallagher was a carpenter until retiring in 1961.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. today at Marks Funeral Home, Wood River.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home, with Rev. Art Rowland officiating. 

Burial will be in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Wood River.