My Genealogy Hound

Thomas H. Glidewell, one of the oldest farmers of Saline Township, was born in North Carolina, in the year 1819, and is the son of Thomas H. and Susan (Allen) Glidewell, natives, respectively, of Virginia and North Carolina, and of Scotch and Welsh origin. Thomas H. Glidewell, Sr., was an overseer in North Carolina for some four years, moving from there in 1823, and settling in Lincoln County, Tenn., where he bought wild land and soon made himself a home and farm, keeping a country inn. Remaining there until 1857, he then moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., near Jackson. While in Tennessee Mr. Glidewell was captain in the State militia, and was known as Col. Glidewell. After coming to Missouri he engaged in farming for two years, dying in 1861. He was married about 1816 the first time, becoming by this marriage the father of thirteen children, five of whom survive: Thomas H. (our subject), John and Mary (twins, the latter the wife of Mr. Steelman), Drucilla (widow of Abner Freeman), and William J. (who lives in Florida). The mother died about 1834. She was an honored member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Glidewell was married the second time to Agnes Billings, who bore him these children: Atlanta (wife of Isaac Ridicks, who lives in Cape Girardeau County, Mo.), Terry (who lives in Illinois), Babe (in Illinois), and Rufus (in Illinois). Mrs. Glidewell died in 1884. She and her husband were both members of the Baptist Church. John Glidewell served in the War of Independence as a private, and Thomas H. Glidewell was a soldier in the War of 1812, being in the battles of Norfolk and Richmond, Va. At the early age of seventeen years, Thomas H. Glidewell, the subject of this sketch, began life as a farmer on rented land in Central Tennessee. After ten years of farming he joined a colony of thirty-one families, en-route to Dallas County, Tex. As most of the colonists died there, Mr. Glidewell only remained until fall. The colony was planted by Mercer, who received a large tract of land from the Territory, provided he would settle it by a certain time. Mr. Glidewell received 640 acres of land for his portion, but the locality proved so unhealthy that he left. His father-in-law and brother-in-law were buried there, and his wife and mother, four years later, secured a title to the 1,280 acres given to them. In 1847 Mr. Glidewell settled on Saline River, within two miles of Benton, acting as overseer for two years for Green B. Hughes. In 1851 he entered the land on which he now lives, under the graduation law, for 12 1/2 cents per acre. This farm now consists of 160 acres, with eighty acres under cultivation. Mr. Glidewell has been married four times. The first wife was Miss Leath A. Simmons, who became the mother of ten children, seven of whom survive: Drucilla (widow of James Eddleman, living in this county), James H. (in this township), H. E. (in Little Rock, and the present treasurer of Pulaski County, Ark.), Francis (in Hot Springs), Louisa (wife of John Leath), and Alfred (in the State of Oregon). Mrs. Glidewell died in 1857, a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Glidewell’s second marriage was to Miss Martha Leach (a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church) in 1858. She died in 1874. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Melissa Mayo, from whom he was separated in 1877. His fourth marriage was to Miss Susan Reaney, in 1878. By this union there were nine children, seven of whom are living: Doctor A. (deceased), Finnis, Nellie L., Angie, William, Samuel, Addie (deceased), Wyatt and Winnie (twins). Mr. Glidewell served a few months in the Confederate home guards, and was taken to Little Rock by the United States troops and imprisoned for three weeks. At the close of the war he found himself nearly broken up. He has been justice of the peace for three years, and served his township as constable for nine years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while his wife has linked her faith with the Baptists. The I. O. O. F. also claim him as a member. He votes with the Democratic party, and is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of improvement. Mrs. Glidewell is the daughter of Timothy and Mary Reaney, who were natives of Tennessee. Timothy Reaney came to this State in 1848, settling in Hot Spring County, where they reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living: Martha (wife of Thomas Richardson), Catharine (wife of C. Brooks), Susan (now Mrs. Glidewell), Josephine (wife of M. C. McConckey), Robert, John Richmond, Sarah (at home), Thomas Dean (died when small), William and Fannie.