William T. Glidden Explained

William Taylor Glidden (1805-1893) was a ship captain, packet line co-owner and investor in railroads, including the U.S. transcontinental railroad.^[1]

Life and career

Glidden was born in Newcastle, Massachusetts (it became part of Maine in 1820) on 22 September 1805. At the age of 14, he went to sea and by the time he was 21 was a captain. His trade routes were to China and Europe.^[2]

He was a partner in the clipper ship firm Glidden & Williams along with John M. S. Williams.^[3]

Glidden was an investor in the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the associated construction company Crédit Mobilier. He eventually became a director of the former and a trustee of the latter.^[4] He also was a director of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad and the Wisconsin Central Railroad.^[5]

In 1851, Glidden became a life member of the Boston Marine Society. The Society's purpose was to provide aid to other members, mostly ship captains, and their families in times of need.^[6]

See also

• St. Andrew's Church (Newcastle, Maine)

Notes and References

1. Book: Chamberlain, George Walter . Strong . Lucia Glidden . The descendants of Charles Glidden of Portsmouth and Exeter, New Hampshire . February 24, 2020 . 1925 . Boston. 163–4 .
2. Book: Waters, Henry F. . The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 47 . February 26, 2020 . 1893 . The New England Genealogical Society . Boston . 370–1 .
3. Book: Blume, Kenneth J. . Historical dictionary of the U.S. maritime industry . February 24, 2020 . 2012 . Scarecrow Press . Lanham, MD . 9780810856349 . 192 . 741415839 .
4. Book: Bain, David Haward . Empire Express. 1999 . The Penguin Group . New York . registration .
5. Book: Martin, Roy L. . History of the Wisconsin Central (Bulletin No. 54) . January 1941 . The Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society, Inc. . Boston .
6. Book: Manual of the constitution and by-laws of the Boston Marine Society . February 26, 2020 . 1896 . Rockwell and Churchill . Boston . 78 .