My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL R. GLENN was born in Johnson county, Ind., June 5, 1826. His father, Henry Glenn, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1789, and was a farmer by occupation. He moved to Indiana in 1822 where he resided until 1828, and then moved to Vermilion county, Ill. In 1831 he moved to Schuyler county, Ill., where he died in 1832. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, participating in the battle of the Thames as a volunteer in a Kentucky regiment. The paternal grandfather, Robert Glenn, a farmer by occupation and a native of Pennsylvania, was born near Philadelphia. He afterwards moved to Kentucky, where he died. The paternal great-great-grandfather was also named Robert and was a native of Ireland. He immigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia in the year 1702, being by occupation a linen draper. The mother of our subject, Ruth (Rhodes) Glenn, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1791. She was the mother of nine children — five boys and four girls, namely — Robert A. (deceased), was born in 1810 and served in the Black Hawk war; Fielding T., born in 1812, a farmer now living in Brown county Ill., was a soldier in the Black Hawk war and in the war of the Rebellion, being promoted to first lieutenant in the latter; Matilda, a native of Kentucky, born in 1814, was married to Simon P. O. Neal, and in 1874 departed this life; Amanda, born in Kentucky in 1816, and married, in 1835, to W. C. Hardin; Archibald A., a native of Kentucky, born in 1819 and married to Lavinia Cooper; he held the office of lieutenant-governor of Illinois in 1874 and filled nearly every other state office of importance at intervals; he now lives at Wichita, Kans.; Elizabeth, born in Kentucky in 1821, married to William Taylor, who resides in Brown county, Ill., died in December 1872; William H., born in Indiana in 1824, and still living in Brown county, Ill.; Samuel R. (subject); Sarah Jane, born in Indiana, in 1828, married Clark Lindsay, lived in Brown county, Ill., and died in March, 1884.

When Samuel R. Glenn was two years old, his parents moved to a farm near Danville, Ill., and remained there three years, and, in 1831, moved to Schuyler county, Ill. Young Glenn attended school in one of the old log honses, in the early days when schools were conducted by popular subscription and the teacher “boarded ‘round.” He had to travel a distance of five miles to the school-house. He resided at home until 1840, when he left home on account of an unpleasantness which arose between himself and a stepfather, on account of his attending log-cabin celebrations during the Harrison campaign. He went to Ripley, Ill., where he worked and attended school for two years, receiving a good education. He served an apprenticeship to the cooper’s trade and followed that as a business, with the exception of the two years’ service in the Mexican war, until 1854. In May, 1846, he enlisted in Company D, Fifth Illinois infantry, and served two years as a private in the Mexican war. While in the service he crossed the continent and was in California when gold was first discovered. He was mustered out at Alton, Ill., October 23, 1848. He followed the cooper’s trade until 1854, when he embarked in the general merchandising business, which, with the exception of the time spent in the War of the Rebellion, he followed until 1874. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, he entered the service, August 30, 1861. He recruited a company, which subsequently became Company H, Fiftieth Illinois infantry, and was unanimously elected its captain. He was in command at the battles of Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh and siege of Corinth, during which his company was under fire forty-five days. At the battle of Corinth, which was fought October 3 and 4, 1862, he was wounded by a piece of shell striking him on the left breast and breaking three ribs. Following the advice of the surgeon, he resigned October 9, 1862. He returned home and continued merchandising until 1874, when he disposed of his interests, and, after settling up his business, in 1878, came to Kearney county, Nebr. He took, as a claim, two eighty-acre tracts in section 30, township 5, range 15 west, and erected a sod house fourteen by twenty-eight feet in dimensions. The country was sparsely settled at that time, and, at the first election, only one hundred and seventy-five votes were cast. His nearest trading point was at Kearney, twenty-five miles distant, and he had to go to Riverton, thirty miles, to have his milling done, and to the Platte river for fire-wood. His school district was eighteen miles long and six miles wide.

Mr. Glenn was married, January 11, 1849, to Elizabeth J. Dalton, who was born February 15, 1831, in Madison county, Ky. This happy union has resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz. — John H., born in 1849; Chas. O., born in 1855; Mary A., born in 1857; Nina J., born in 1860; Ruth A., born in 1867; Omie M., born in 1869; Chester D., born in 1873. Mrs. Glenn departed this life January 7, 1890. She was a kind, christian woman and to know her was to love her. Her funeral was largely attended, Elder Truman preaching the funeral sermon.

In politics, Mr. Glenn is a strong republican. He was nominated for county treasurer in 1881, but was defeated by a small majority. He has held various minor offices in his township, and was postmaster at Ripley, Ill., for nearly twenty years, serving under the administrations of Presidents Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, Johnson and Grant.