[1] Born in Crow Creek Valley, Jefferson, (now Broadwater) County, Montana Territory.
Galen engaged in the private practice of law in Helena, Montana, until 1904 at which time he was elected Montana Attorney General and served in that capacity from January 2, 1905 to January 6, 1913.
Galen was awarded the Distinguished Service Metal.
At the completion of his military service, he returned to Helena and practiced law until his election to the Montana Supreme Court in 1920.
In 1930, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the United States Senate,[1] winning the Republican nomination but losing the general election to incumbent Thomas J. Walsh.