LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Town
of Galen, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Galen, New York, in Wayne
County, New York; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious occasion numerous events have
been planned beginning with a special postal cancellation conducted by
James Darnell at the Clyde Post Office on South Park Street on Tuesday,
February 14, 2012; Mr. Darnell moved his canceling operation across the
street to the Brick Church Museum; at the museum, a reception was held
which included a short talk describing life in Galen in 1812; another
discussion, later that day, focused on life in 1912; and
WHEREAS, In addition, on Saturday, March 24, 2012, a bicentennial
banquet will be held at the Bud Hinman Post No. 947 V.F.W. Hall; the
program, entitled "Glimpses of Galen," will use the services of several
presenters to provide insights into both family and community life
during Galen's 200 years; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Galen, New York, was originally part of Military
Township No. 27-Galen, given as compensation for services to the medical
department of the American Revolution, and was reserved for physicians
and surgeons of the New York regiments; and
WHEREAS, The first to settle in the Town of Galen was Laomi Beadle
who, in 1800, built the first log house, planted the first orchard, and
built the first sawmill; and
WHEREAS, Named after the celebrated physician, Claudius Galenus, the
Town of Galen was organized by state law as a civil town on February 14,
1812; and
WHEREAS, On September 6, 1814, The Galen Union Library opened; that
same year, a schoolhouse opened in Lock Berlin; and
WHEREAS, For a large part of the 19th Century, the Town of Galen was a
major manufacturer of glass; and
WHEREAS, In 1828, William DeZeng and his brother-in-law James Rees
founded the first glass factory in the village of Clyde; the company
continued under several names and was incorporated as Clyde Glassworks
in 1895; it closed in 1915 with the advent of machinery that replaced
the glassblowers; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Galen was also the location of one of the four
World War II prisoner of war camps in Wayne County; the camp in Clyde
was located at the old high school building on the corner of Caroline
and Lock Streets; 50 Italian prisoners of war lived there in 1943, and
the following year, they were replaced by 116 Germans; the camp closed
in 1946; and
WHEREAS, At close proximity to the Erie Canal and the railroad, the
Town of Galen became a center of small industry; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Galen is home to Thomas Electric Corp and another
major employer, Parker Hannifin, as well as many small to medium busi-
nesses, industries, and local farms; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Town of Galen is a rural community with a popu-
lation of about 4,400, with many people living within the village of
Clyde; Clyde was incorporated in 1858; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Galen, New York continues its commitment to

enhancing the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive busi-
ness, institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Town of Galen, New York, recog-
nizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the life of
the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Galen, New York.