Robert Glover (1820-1906)

GLOVER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:09:14

Robert Glover
(August 22, 1820 – October 29, 1906)

Robert Glover is an octogenarian, and in the eighty-two years of his life he has so lived as to command uniform respect and
confidence. For thirty-six years he has been a resident of Calhoun county, coming to this portion of the state when pioneer conditions existed and when till the hardships and trials incident to the frontier were met by the settlers here. The courage and resolutions demanded of those who carry civilization into a new region are equal to that displayed by the veteran on the field of battle. There is a struggle with primitive conditions that demands personal valor and unfaltering purpose, and great honor is due to the men and women who leave behind them the comforts of the older east to establish homes in the western wilderness and reclaim the lands for
the uses of man. Their work is not for themselves alone, for later generations reap the benefit of their labors, and to the pioneers we owe a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. Mr. Glover has contributed his full share to the development, upbuilding and progress of Calhoun County, and with pleasure we present his life history to our readers as that of one of the representative citizens of this portion of the state. A native of Scotland he was born in Dumfriesshire, on the 22d of August. 1820, his parents being James and Jeannette (Kennedy) Glover, who were also natives of Scotland, the former born in Dumfriesshire,
the latter in Greenhill. The father was a stocking-weaver by trade and followed that pursuit in his native land until 1821, when he sailed to Prince Edward's Island with his family, on the ship Diana, which consumed five weeks in making that voyage. For twenty years James Glover remained on that island and then again sailed across the water, this time establishing his home on the other side of the Atlantic. For nine years he engaged in farming in Nova Scotia, and then removed to New York, in 1851, establishing his home in Oneida County, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. In his political views the father was a Republican and in his religious faith was a Presbyterian, holding the office of deacon in the church for thirty years. In the family were two children who died in Scotland and two on Prince Edward's Island. John wedded Mary Bell and lived on Prince Edward's island, but both are now deceased. Elizabeth became the wife of Thomas Harris and both died in Utica, New York. Isabella was the wife of David Mickle and they resided in Nova Scotia for a time. The wife died in Waterville, New York, and he died in Wisconsin. Robert Glover, the fourth of the family, received but limited school privileges but his training at farm labor was not meager. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm and afterward worked by the month as a farm hand in New York, having accompanied his parents on their voyage across the Atlantic and their removal to the United States from Nova Scotia. He also engaged in the manufacture of brooms in the Empire state. A short time after his marriage he removed to Illinois, taking up his abode in that state in 1865, and the following year he came to Calhoun County, where he secured a homestead claim in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Somerville. in Lincoln Township. Subsequently he added eighty acres to their first tract, but afterward they sold much of their landed
possessions, owning at the present time a quarter section of farm land and residence property in Manson. On the 11th of March, 1856, near Utica, New York. Mr. Glover was united in marriage to Miss Mary Somerville, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, horn in 1832. She was the daughter of William and Agnes (Lee) Somerville, both of whom were natives of Ayershire, Scotland. They were married in Glasgow and in that city the father conducted a hotel while the mother carried on a general store. There Mr. Somerville died in 1847, and in 1849 his widow came to America with her family on the sailing vessel Hyperion, which reached the harbor of New York after a voyage of thirty days. They settled in Oneida County, New York, and the children and mother worked in a cotton factory — the York mills — near Utica, making their home in that locality until after the marriage of Mr. Glover when the Somerville family came to the west, in 1857. Mrs.. Somerville took up her abode in Illinois and the same year was married in the state of New York to Elias Turner, a native of New York. In 1890 they removed to Calhoun County, Iowa, where Mr. Turner died in 1892, his widow surviving him until 1893, when she, too, passed away. Mr. Somerville, the father of Mrs. Glover, was a Presbyterian in his religious belief. Mr. Turner was an advocate of Republican principles, but in religious opinions was a Methodist, holding membership with a church of that denomination. Mrs. Glover was the eldest of her father's family of three children, the others being John, who resides with our subject, and Susan, the wife of Calvin Griffith, their home being on a farm four miles south of Manson. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Glover has been blessed with two children: Luella. the wife of M. J. Huggoboom, who resides on her father's farm and by whom she has four living children : and James William, who died at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Glover votes with the Republican party and since attaining the right of franchise through naturalization he has strongly endorsed the principles of that party. He aided in organizing the Congregational church in Manson in 1868, has since served as one of its deacons and is a most faithful, helpful and loyal member. He was also one of the first trustees of the town of Manson and tilled that position for several years, discharging his duties with marked promptness and ability. Since coming to this county he has been regarded as a most valuable citizen. Without ostentation or display he has faithfully performed his duties of citizenship, and his labors have resulted to the substantial benefit and improvement of the county. His name is synonymous with all that is straightforward and honorable in relations between man and man. and at all times his private life has been guided by principles which everywhere command respect. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.429]