Joseph Farwell Glidden's invention of one of the most widely-used types of barbed wire in 1873 helped change the history of the American West and had far-reaching impact throughout the world. His Homestead in DeKalb, IL, is being preserved and restored by a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995. Both the home and the barn are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We welcome your visit and encourage your membership!
Joseph Farwell Glidden was born January 18, 1813, in New Hampshire. He and his brother, Josiah, arrived in DeKalb County, Illinois, during the farming season of 1841-1842. Through the custom threshing of grains and the profit it brought, Joseph purchased 600 acres of land about a mile west of the young village of DeKalb. He built a log cabin and began life as a Midwest farmer. Through the years, Joseph pursued various areas of agriculture and regarded the art of farming as a most congenial way of life. The 1873 application for a patent for barbed wire, his generous contribution of land for location of Northern Illinois State Normal School, and his civic responsibilities in the area, all substantiate why he was called "the Grand Old Man of DeKalb County."
Lucinda Warne Glidden was Joseph’s second wife and had been his partner for more than 20 years when the patent for "The Winner" was approved. Her marriage to the widower Glidden was an event of interest to all in the DeKalb community. A short time after their marriage, the red-brick home replaced the log cabin. It became a spot for friendly gatherings and challenging discussions. The problems of black earth farming were constant subjects.
Lucinda, in later recollections, told how during the winter of 1872-73, she found her large wire hairpins were disappearing from a milk-glass dish on her dresser. At first she thought Elva Frances, her 20-year-old daughter, was taking them. When asked, Elva replied, "No, Mother." The puzzle continued to bother Lucinda, until one evening after supper when she noticed her husband reach in his shirt pocket and take out two of her missing hairpins. "Joseph, what are you doing with my hairpins?" she asked. He replied that he was working on an idea for a fence.
And the rest is history . . .
Jan. 18, 1813 -- Born in New Hampshire
1814 -- Moves to New York
1837 -- Marries Clarrisa Foster
1837 -- John Deere develops first self-scouring steel plow
Between 1837-43 -- Son Virgil is born
Between 1837-43 -- Son Homer is born
1842 -- At age 29, leaves New York with his brother, Josiah, headed west with a threshing machine
About 1842 -- Buys 600-acre farm in Sec. 22 of DeKalb County from cousin, Russell Huntley
1843 -- Sends for Clarissa
June, 1843 -- Wife, Clarissa, dies in child birth in Ogle County, Illinois. Infant dies a few months later.
1845 -- Takes possession of farm in DeKalb County
Oct. 6, 1850 -- Marries Lucinda Warne
Dec. 29, 1851 -- Daughter, Elva Glidden, is born in Buena Vista (now known as DeKalb, IL)
1852 -- Elected sheriff of DeKalb County at age 39
1853 -- City of DeKalb is established
About 1861 -- Builds his brick home and barn at what is now 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb
1873 -- Develops barbed wire ideas
Nov. 24, 1874 -- Receives Patent #157,124 for "The Winner" barbed wire
March, 1876 -- Joseph sells half-interest in the Glidden Ellwood Wire Company to the Washburn and Moen Co.
Feb. 1, 1877 -- Daughter, Elva, marries W.H. Bush in west parlor room of the Glidden home, 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb
1877 -- Leaves his 800-acre country homestead and moves into the City of DeKalb.
July 14, 1879 -- Becomes owner/publisher of the DeKalb Chronicle
1881 -- Forms the "Frying Pan Ranch" in Texas with Henry B. Sanborn
1883 -- Forms the DeKalb National Bank
July, 1884 -- First visits "Frying Pan Ranch" near Amarillo, Texas
1885 -- Owns approximately 1,500-acres in DeKalb County, Illinois
Aug. 29, 1887 -- Visits Amarillo, TX, to take part of its early stages of elected government and county seat selection
1891 -- Last awarded royalty from "The Winner" patent
Oct. 28, 1895 -- Wife, Lucinda, dies.
1895 -- Donates $14,000 to help start State Normal School, now known as Northern Illinois University
1898 -- At age 85, dissolves partnership with Sanborn in "Frying Pan Ranch"
1898 -- Deeds "Frying Pan Ranch" to son-in-law, W.H. Bush
Mid-1890's -- Donates 64 acres to start State Normal School
1903 -- Celebrates 90th birthday with family and friends
1903 -- Wright Brothers make first successful airplane flight
May 19, 1906 -- Daughter, Elva Glidden, dies
Oct. 9, 1906 -- Joseph dies in DeKalb at age 93
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