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Mr. Mason County

by Jonah Savage
James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein, 85 (from left); Alice Gallenstein, 85; Finly Gallenstein, 2; and Zachary Gallenstein, 23; conversed on the stoop outside of Buddy and Alice’s home in downtown Maysville after a quick visit for Finly to see his great- grandparents.

A common sight in Maysville is a little red pickup truck that sports a sticker reading “Proud Democrat” cruising through town. Most people know that the driver is retired Mason County Judge Executive James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein, 85.

Buddy says he likes to keep busy. He’s rarely found at home, despite living in a beautiful house near the center of downtown. He never has trouble finding something to take up his time, whether it is getting involved in local politics, spending time at his farm or just meeting for coffee in the morning. 

“It keeps your finger a little bit in the pie,” Buddy said. 

Every weekday at 8:30 a.m., you’ll find him at Sprinkles of Hope Bakery meeting up with just a few of his 15 siblings to sip coffee and “shoot the breeze.” He said this has been routine for 6 years.

Since retiring, Buddy has stayed involved in local politics through budget committees and attending meetings of the Mason County Democratic Party. While at the party’s chili supper and auction night, he was greeted by many other members, meeting them with a smile, kind words and a sense of humor. 

Buddy has been a practicing Catholic his entire life. He is the longest-standing member of Mason County’s Knights of Columbus chapter, having joined when he was 18. 

“I always question the teaching of it, but I always remain pretty faithful about church,” Buddy said.

A big part of Buddy’s life is on his farm in Mays Lick. The land was bought by his father when Buddy was a kid, and he took on the responsibility after his father passed.

Buddy served as judge-executive for 20 years before retiring in 2014. During his time in office, he spearheaded multiple projects that sought the preservation and restoration of Mason County’s Black history. The most notable of these was the restoration of the birthplace cabin of Charles Young, who was born into slavery in 1864 and became the first Black general in the U.S. Army.

He also oversaw construction of a memorial for the Rev. Elisha Green, who preached across Kentucky but would regularly return to Maysville and was subjected to racist violence.

Buddy has made Black history a prominent part of his life. He said he never understood bigotry, despite growing up in a time and town where it was common. 

“I think it’s worth preserving for generations to come, his (General Young’s) history and his life, and what he was able to do,” Buddy said.

After a day of filling an empty cistern on his farm in Mays Lick with gravel, Buddy stopped at his favorite gas station to fill up the tank of his truck.
A long day led Buddy to St. Patrick’s Church in downtown Maysville. He took a moment to stop and think after reflecting on the stained glass present in the chapel.
Up the hill from downtown, Buddy admires the memorial he pushed to construct for the Rev. Elisha Green. The structure will eventually feature a statue of the Black minister, as a fundraising effort brought in enough money to fund it.
While attending the chili supper and silent auction held by the Mason County Democratic Party, Phyllis Schuler, 78, who was a childhood friend of Buddy’s sister, jokingly chastises him after telling a story of a young Buddy.
On his way out to the farm in Mays Lick, Buddy stopped at his brother Greg Gallenstein’s house to check on the progress of the country hams that are curing inside the “meat shed.” Buddy used to be the sibling who made the hams, but passed that responsibility off to Greg in favor of tending to his garden.
Buddy’s grandson, Carson Adams, 23, helped to identify an issue with fluid leaking from the tractor motor at their family farm.
After seasoning his go-to cast-iron skillet for a fish fry at the Knights of Columbus building, Buddy stopped to use the restroom just before he left to go home and change his clothes because of a long day of working on his tractor.
James L. “Buddy” Gallenstein approached the Charles Young Birthplace Cabin. Buddy took many years during his time as judge-executive to restore the once dilapidated structure to its former state.