The Landmarks of Barb City - Part 43C

From 1861 until sometime in 1877, Joseph Glidden lived in his stately brick farmhouse at what became 921 W. Lincoln Highway. Following the sale of his remaining barbed-wire patent interests to Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Co. of Worcester, Mass., in 1876 (Isaac Ellwood owned the other 50 percent), for $60,000 plus royalties, he commenced construction on a three-story business block/hotel at the northeast corner of present-day Second Street and East Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb. Upon its completion, Joseph and Lucinda Glidden moved their own place of residence there from the farm. From the late 1870s to about 1909, relatives, as well as others, occupied the venerable farmhouse. With Joseph's death in October 1906, John Glidden, his n