Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Glidden, Stephen 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 3, 2007, 1:30 am

Author: Genealogical/Biographical Publishing Co

STEPHEN GLIDDEN was one of the best known men in Channahon Township. When he 
came here in 1848 he was a young man with all the eager determination and 
enthusiasm of youth. The privations of pioneer life did not discourage him nor 
its hardships daunt; he worked his way steadily forward, leading a busy, 
useful existence, and by industry and frugality accumulating a valuable 
property. At the same time he gained the esteem of all acquaintances. He saw 
many changes during the long period of his residence in the same locality. 
Almost all of the heads of families who were his neighbors fifty years ago 
(for in those days people were called neighbors even though they lived many 
miles apart) have now passed to that land whence no traveler returns. His farm 
stands in the midst of a thriving and populous farming community that sprang 
into existence during the years he made his home here, replacing surroundings 
that had all the aspect of a wilderness just opening to civilization. On his 
farm of nine hundred acres is one of the imposing country dwellings of the 
township, a house built in 1878 and conveniently arranged and tastefully 
furnished. Here he spent the afternoon of his life in the enjoyment of the 
comforts his earlier labors made possible, and here he died January 4, 1900.

In Unity, Cheshire County, N. H., Mr. Glidden was born September 15, 1820, a 
son of Levi and Sarah (Glidden) Glidden. He and his sister, Margaret, the 
widow of Ransler Jenkins, of Maquoketa, Iowa, are the sole survivors of a 
family of eleven. His father, who was born and reared in Unity, removed from 
there to New York in 1821 and settled at Crown Point, Essex County, where he 
engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. His wife, who was a 
native of the same place as himself, had a brother, Thomas, who served in the 
war of 1812; shortly after the battle of Plattsburg, as the troops were 
returning home, he and some comrades stopped at an orchard to get some apples, 
for they had been on scant rations for weeks and were almost starved. The 
owner of the orchard, incensed at the act, shot him and wounded him severely. 
Levi Glidden's father was a Revolutionary soldier.

When fifteen years of age our subject went to Vermont to live with a brother-
in-law, with the intention of remaining there until he attained his
majority, but he soon became dissatisfied and made up his mind to settle in 
the west. It was, however, impossible for him to come to Illinois
immediately. When he was nineteen he returned to Crown Point, where he 
continued until his father's death. September 3, 1848, he arrived in Joliet, 
bringing with him $600 that he had saved. His first work was with a brother-in-
law, who had a contract to rebuild a mill at Treat's Island, in Channahon 
Township. While working here he purchased the mill on which he was working, 
and for five years he operated it. In 1849 he returned to Crown Point for his 
betrothed wife. There, on the 5th of July, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Mary Barnett, who was born in 1826, a daughter of Asa W. and Hannah (Lamson) 
Barnett. Her father was born in Hoosick, N. Y., and in early manhood removed 
to Crown Point, where he became a farmer.

After his marriage Mr. Glidden returned to Illinois, where he continued 
milling until the introduction of steam mills and the advent of the railroad  
made the business unprofitable. In 1853 he turned his attention to farming, 
having one hundred and eleven acres, which he had bought with the mill.  

He was prospered as a farmer and stock-raiser. He added to his possessions 
until he had fifteen hundred acres, but afterward he disposed of six hundred 
acres. From 1894 until his death he lived retired, the management of his place 
being in the hands of his son-in-law, Frank P. Bieth. In politics he was a 
Republican, interested in party matters, but not caring for official positions 
himself. A man of earnest character, resolute in the support of what he 
believed to be right, he won the good will of his associates, and, as an 
honored pioneer, deserves not a little credit for the effective work he did in 
the advancement of the township. His wife died September 12, 1887, and of 
their eleven children only four are now living, one of whom, Permelia S., has 
had charge of the home since her mother's death. Sarah J. is the widow of 
Henry Haviland, a farmer of Channahon Township; Melissa is the wife of Frank 
P. Bieth; and Harvey O.lives in Kankakee, this state.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present

Biographical Publishing Company; Chicago 1900

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