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         NATHAN C. GLIDDEN, dealer in general hardware, stoves, tinware and farm machinery, at Columbus City, was born at Hartland, Vt., Dec. 29, 1830, and is a son of James and Sarah (Saxon) Glidden. His father was born at Raymond, N. H., May 19, 1790, and died in March, 1839. His mother was born at Tetford, Vt., Jan. 15, 1792, and died at the age of eighty-four years.

Our subject removed with his parents to Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1833, where he was reared on a farm, and having the misfortune to lose his father when eight years of age, had to begin the battle of life for himself when but thirteen. He worked at whatever he could find to do for four years, and then went to Binghamton, N. Y., where he served a regular apprenticeship to the wagon-maker’s trade with James Angel, a man who was true to his name and proved a true friend to the young mechanic. Nathan remained with his employer for six months after completing his term of apprenticeship, and then went to Vestal Center, Broome County, where he opened his first shop and carried on the wagon-making business for five years. While in that place he was united in marriage with Miss Olive E. Silsby, a daughter of James Silsby, their union being celebrated Jan. 1, 1854. Mrs. Glidden was born in Yates County, N. Y. Her father was a native of New Jersey, and her mother, whose maiden name was Schivers, was born in Norfolk County, Mass., June 23, 1802.

Mr. and Mrs. Glidden are the parents of five children, four of whom were born in the East and one in the West: Arthur J., who was born in Broome county, N. Y., married Caroline Rawhouser, and is a carriage-maker of Marshalltown, Iowa; Louie S. is the wife of Albert White, a tinsmith, of Ames, Story Co., Iowa; Charles H., who is engaged in blacksmithing in Marshalltown, is the husband of Olie O’Brien; John R. wedded Allie Day, and resides at Ames, Iowa; May died at the age of seventeen months.

Mr. Glidden removed with his family to Cortland County, N. Y., in 1856, locating at Marathon, where he carried on a wagon-making establishment for seven years, and in 1864 removed to Winneshiek County, Iowa, settling in Canoe Township, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1867. At that time he removed to Ainsworth, Iowa, where he made his home one year, and on the 1st of January, 1869, became a resident of Columbus City Township, this county, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Columbus City, and bought out Joseph Getts’ wagon-making business. He followed that vocation until the fall of 1885, when he sold out, and a few months later embarked in his present business, having continued the same since March, 1886.

Mr. Glidden is an ardent Republican, and has always given that party his warmest support. He has held various minor offices, but has never sought or desired political honors. He and his wife, together with their children, are members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected throughout the community where they reside.