James Glover 1839-1924

James Glover

A Bluff City Centennial Family

One of the early day leaders you might hear mentioned most often was

James Glover and family. Among some of the credentials mentioned most often might be his work for the public schools, especially the high school. Or the Bluff City Park, or perhaps laying out the court house grounds at Anthony.

Or it might have been when Bluff City’s beginning was written he was there in a leadership role. Or perhaps simply to hear people tell of his work in the community, the good he did, the hearts he cheered, the lives he brightened, and his love of beauty and working for beautifying and betterment of community conditions. Yes, it was these and more, much more.

James Glover was born at White Sands, Prince Edward Island, Aug. 22, 1839 and died March 17, 1924 at Bluff City. At the age of eight years he went with his parents to Nova Scotia and at age thirteen moved to Clark Mills, New York State where he worked at the cotton mills for a number of years. As a young man he moved to Columbus, Ohio and engaged in the merchan-tile business. When the Civil War came he enlisted in the 110th Ohio Volun-teers. After being mustered out of the service he came West with the family and located at Mason, Lowa where in 1869 he and his brother Jack built and owned the first building and opened a general store. He retained interest in the store until 1882, when building and contents were destroyed by fire.

In January 1877 he married Sarah J. Moody and to this union were born three children: Fred S. Glover, Kenneth M. Glover and Elsie Glover, who later became Mrs. Truman L. Sturdevant. In 1885 he came to Kansas and located at Udall for a short time and engaged in the real estate and loan business.

The Bluff City story started in October, 1886 when he came to Bluff City and pitched his tent in a corn field and began selling lots for the Border Line Town and Land Co. Later in connection with James N. Young he became a director of the K.S.W. Railroad, purchased from the Frisco and later sold to the Santa Fe. He was also interested in the Geuda Springs Mineral Water and Bath Company•

Land had been donated for a City Park and Mr. Glover was instrumental in promoting and beautifying the park, which later was named “Glover Park” in his honor. He planted many of the trees, shrubbery and flowers in the park. Many also were donated by other interested individuals in and around Bluff City.

The Harper County Court House grounds were laid out and planned by Mr.

Glover. The Township High School Law was written by Mr. Glover and to him was given the honor of drafting a law that has been of great benefit to many country children of high school age, perhaps more than any other law on the book.

Mr. Glover was Postmaster for some eight years. He was Mayor for 16 years. He was interested in the Bluff City Bank and was a director of the bank for several years, later being named Vice-President of the bank. He was influential in the affairs of Bluff City for many years.

One strong outstanding characteristic of Mr. Glover was his intense love of beauty, he talked and worked for the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers. His theory was that the more beauty there was in the home and community surroundings, the more people were stimulated to the best in life.

This seemed to color his life and much of his work.

So we close another chapter of a special centennial family for the centennial year of 1986.

A truly outstanding family.