Who were the Glendinnings? Where do they fit into the the Clark family history?
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| Kelso Abbey, 18th c. , Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
Stuart Benson Clark married Elisabeth McMichael
Her parents were: Clayton Fotterall McMichael and Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning
Her parents were: Robert Glendinning and Ellen Elizabeth Butcher
His parents were: Robert Glendinning and Elizabeth Kennedy
Robert Glendinning was from Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland, his wife was from Leith, Scotland. They were married on November 5, 1833/4 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and came to America in 1832. Here is their story pieced together from obituaries, newspapers, census records and books.
Robert Glendinning (b. 1805/d. 1878) married Elizabeth Kennedy (b. 1813/d.1897)
Their children were:
Robert Glendinning (b. 1838/d.1893)
Walter S. Glendinning (b. 1845/d. 1885)
Elizabeth Glendinning (b. 1947/d. ?)
Elizabeth Glendinning (b. 1947/d. ?)
William Glendinning (b. 1848/d. 1881)
Charles S. Glendinning
James Glendinning
unknown male child
unknown male child
Charles S. Glendinning
James Glendinning
unknown male child
unknown male child
Robert Glendinning (b. 1838/d. 1893) married Ellen Elizabeth Butcher (b. 1845/d.1903)
Their children were:
Annie Elizabeth Glendinning (b. 1865/d. 1866)
Robert Edward Glendinning (b. 1867/ d. 1937) married Elizabeth Rodman Fisher Carpenter
children: Elizabeth Carpenter; Mary Fisher; Ellen; Robert
Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning (b. 1869/d. 1899) married Clayton Fotterall McMichael
children: Clayton Fotterall; Elisabeth
Henry Percival Glendinning (b. 1874/d. 1903) married Louise T. Young
children: Henry Percival
Obituaries
Member 1837, Secretary 1839-43
ROBERT GLENDINNING, SR., Born May 13, 1805, in Kelso, Scotland. Died in Philadelphia, March 4, 1878.
He was educated at and graduated from the University of Edinburgh, and came to this country in 1832, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for about twenty years. He was identified with building associations, and also the Mantua Saving Fund, which later developed into the Third National Bank, Philadelphia, of which he became cashier, remaining with that bank from the date of its opening until he retired, in 1876, on account of ill health.
In 1834 he married Elizabeth Kennedy, a native of Scotland, and they had seven sons and one daughter.
Mr. Glendinning was greatly interested in religious work, being a rigid Scotch Presbyterian, and was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church, Mantua, West Philadelphia, serving as elder there until his death. This church is now known as the Northminster Presbyterian Church, Thirty-fifth and Baring Streets.
In 1834 he married Elizabeth Kennedy, a native of Scotland, and they had seven sons and one daughter.
Mr. Glendinning was greatly interested in religious work, being a rigid Scotch Presbyterian, and was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church, Mantua, West Philadelphia, serving as elder there until his death. This church is now known as the Northminster Presbyterian Church, Thirty-fifth and Baring Streets.
Of Robert Glendinning, Sr., The Philadelphia Press, for March 5,
1878, said:
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| 3405 Baring Street, Philadelphia, PA where the family lived |
“Robert Glendinning, a well known Philadelphian, died suddenly of heart disease yesterday morning at his residence, No. 3405 Baring Street, in the seventy-second year of his age. Mr. Glendinning was born in Kelso, Scotland, whence he emigrated to this country, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In a few years he acquired a competency sufficient to allow him to retire from active business life and enable him to live on his income. When the project of starting the Third National Bank was begun, he took an active part in the movement, becoming one of its founders, and was subsequently elected cashier, which position he filled with signal ability till about two years ago, when he resigned. He was an active member of the West Philadelphia Presbyterian Church and was also one of its deacons. The deceased was the father of “Robert Glendinning, Jr., of the well-known firm of Glendinning, Davis & Co., Brokers.”
Of his wife, Elizabeth Kennedy Glendinning, the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, for Friday, September 20, 1872 said:
“Mrs. Elizabeth Glendinning - Many have penned eulogical lines, cited the graces and virtues of fond mothers now departed, and we would fain drop a tear of tender sympathy for those left to mourn their loss. But our all-absorbing theme at this time is of one whose noble womanly bearing is not often met with.
Passing to her longed-for rest on the morning of the 16th instant, trusting in the merits of her great Redeemer, she leaves behind her the testimony of her being a devoted wife, a faithful mother, a true friend. But she was like a diamond, left to shed its rays of light only in a casket of jewels, laid aside from public gaze. So with her; the brilliancy of her nature, her noble hearing, her uncommon taste for superior literature, her energy, her earnestness of heart, were scarcely known, excepting to the little circle of her own family among whom she was indeed the center of all they could imagine of worth in a Christian mother.
Prevented by illness from mingling much in society of late years, few really knew her superiority. Now, however, that she has passed away from our midst it is fitting to recognize the dignity of her character and the brightness of her mind. Would that we were able to imitate the virtues of her to whose memory we now pay the humble tribute of affection.”
Robert and Elizabeth Glendinning had two (this is not accurate, I am quoting) sons,
Robert, born in 1838; and
William, ten years younger; the latter moved to Illinois, and died there,
October 14, 1881.
The Philadelphia Press, for Tuesday, October 18, 1881, had the following short account of him:
The Philadelphia Press, for Tuesday, October 18, 1881, had the following short account of him:
“Death of William Glendinning: -William Glendinning, formerly of this city died at Evanston, Illinois on Friday last, at the age of thirty-two years. He was the son of the late Robert Glendinning, for many years the Cashier of the Third National Bank, and the brother of Robert Glendinning, the well-known banker of this city. Some years ago he removed to the west, and by his industry and ability succeeded in establishing a business which extended over that large section.”
The Evanston
Index, in referring
to his death says:
"William Glendinning was one who made friends wherever he went. Kind and genial in his daily intercourse, he attracted the regard of all. True and warm in his friendship, he bound to himself by the strongest ties those who knew him intimately. But in the home circle his life was so pure, so full of self sacrifice, that his loss will be felt more and more as years go on. A Christian gentleman, one who was ever true to the dictates of conscience and never ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, the influence of his life will be felt throughout the wide circle of his acquaintance.”Colonial Families of Philadelphia
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| Robert Glendinning & Co. |
The Car, a periodical devoted to the interests of street railways,
published in Philadelphia, had the following in April, 1893:
“Robert Glendinning was quite a student of the heterodoxical impulses that control the movements of finance, and being a close observer of events, he won early a reputation for alertness, sagacity and foresight. His manner was diametrically opposed to the volatile characters usually seen on the ‘street’ and a quiet and unassuming disposition hid from the desultory observer the strong individuality and keen perception through which he won for the firm bearing his name, the extended and envied reputation it bore. He admitted to his firm men whose Sagacity and integrity were judicious complements to his own, and thus caparisoned, the firm conducted many brilliant financial enterprises to successful issues, prosecuting all accounts with a sound and watchful conservatism, which Glendinning himself considered most necessary for the protection of his clients."
"Mr. Glendinning was in possession of more valuable information possibly than any other of his confreres, but when asked to discover it by some wily newsmonger,—knew less than the man knowing nothing. The first identification of the firm with street railway securities was in 1885, in the financing of the Market and Columbia Avenue cable lines. For the intelligent explanation of, at that time, as abstruse and almost incomprehensible a problem as cable rope traction, Mr. Glendinning had constructed a miniature cable-railway, which gave a tangible explanation of the ‘ropes and pulleys and grips’ and so on, which non-plussed the ‘street’ at that day.
“The firm were always large dealers in gas and street railway securities, and have been for many years trusted brokers for many wealthy corporations in this city as well as in New York and Chicago. The Philadelphia Traction syndicate, who have been the originators of the largest and most powerful city passenger railway companies in the world, have dealt through this firm, and the business conducted b them recalls to mind the financing of the Philadelphia Traction Company, the Baltimore Traction Company, the Pittsburgh Traction Company, the Metropolitan Traction Company, the West and North Side Street Railroads of Chicago, the volume of which dealings have been enormous.”
Robert Glendinning was for many years a member of the Union
League of Philadelphia. He died at his residence, 2002 Spruce Street, where
funeral services were held March 8, 1893, by Rev. Dr. J. N. Blachard, of St.
James’ Protestant Episcopal Church, and he was buried in Woodland Cemetery.
The Philadelphia Times, of March 9. 1893, said:
The Philadelphia Times, of March 9. 1893, said:
"It is not often that such an array of men, representing such diversified interests, meet as were present yesterday at the funeral of Robert Glendinning. It illustrated the far reaching character of his friendships and the confidence he inspired, which led his friends to stick to him through thick and thin. Yesterday closed the last sad scene in the adventurous and in some respects brilliant career of one of the most inimitable and agreeable men who ever belonged to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange."
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| Robert Edward Glendinning |
Glendinning's stay at the University of Pennsylvania was a very short one. He attended the University for only his freshman year.
During his freshman year he was a member of the shooting team, cricket team, baseball team, tug-of-war team, Racket Club, and Canoe Club. He was the marshall of the University Republicans, chairman of the Constitution Committee, Chairman of the Baseball Committee, Chairman of the Freshman Committee and Chairman of the Baseball Committee. He won the standing broad jump during the spring sports competition. As an undergraduate, Glendinning also served as one of the models for Eadweard Muybridge's landmark study, Animal Locomotion. He lived in the Zeta Psi fraternity until he was dropped from the rolls owing to his absence during examinations.
After his short sojourn at University of Pennsylvania, Glendinning later became very successful as a banker and head of Robert Glendinning and Co. He was the first person from outside New York to hold the position of Governor of the New York Stock Exchange. He was also a member of the New York Curb Exchange, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and Pittsburgh Stock Exchange.
An aviation enthusiast, he contributed substantially to American wartime aviation during the First World War. For his service as commander of the American air force in Italy, Glendinning was awarded the Italian Order of the Crown by the Italian King Victor Immanuel. He also served in the Spanish-American War. Before ending his military career as a colonel, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the United States government.
A resident of the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, Glendinning was one of the founders of Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia School for the Deaf and the Philadelphia School of Aviation at Essington (later Chandler Field). He served served at various times as Treasurer of the Fairmount Park Commission, Director of the Philadelphia Zoological Society, and Finance Chairman of the Republican State Committee. His interesting and successful life was ended by pneumonia in 1936.
University of Pennsylvania Biographies:
ROBERT EDWARD GLENDINNING, son of Robert and Ellen E. (Butcher) Glendinning, was born in Philadelphia, August 10, 1867. He entered the Towne Scientific School, University of Pennsylvania, with the class of '88, in 1884, and left during Freshman year; he was chairman of the class executive committee. He entered his father’s firm of Robert Glendinning & C0 and after his father's death, conducted the business under the same name. He is a member of the Rittenhouse and Markham Clubs of Philadelphia, the Union League, the Philadelphia Barge, the Philadelphia Gun, the Philadelphia Cricket, and the Huntingdon Valley clubs, and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; a director of the Western National Bank, and a member of the Philadelphia, New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges. He belonged to the First Troop Philadelphia city cavalry, and was second Sergeant in that body when it was in the United States service during the Spanish-American War.
ROBERT EDWARD GLENDINNING, son of Robert and Ellen E. (Butcher) Glendinning, was born in Philadelphia, August 10, 1867. He entered the Towne Scientific School, University of Pennsylvania, with the class of '88, in 1884, and left during Freshman year; he was chairman of the class executive committee. He entered his father’s firm of Robert Glendinning & C0 and after his father's death, conducted the business under the same name. He is a member of the Rittenhouse and Markham Clubs of Philadelphia, the Union League, the Philadelphia Barge, the Philadelphia Gun, the Philadelphia Cricket, and the Huntingdon Valley clubs, and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; a director of the Western National Bank, and a member of the Philadelphia, New York and Chicago Stock Exchanges. He belonged to the First Troop Philadelphia city cavalry, and was second Sergeant in that body when it was in the United States service during the Spanish-American War.
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| Elizabeth R.F. Carpenter |
University of Pennsylvania...
Robert and Elizabeth Rodman Fisher Carpenter's children:
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| Robert and Elizabeth Glendinning |
- Elizabeth Carpenter Glendinning (b. 1897/d.1898)
- Mary Fisher Glendinning (b. 1897/d.1953)
- Ellen Glendinning (b.1902/d.1976)
- Robert Edward Glendinning, Jr. (b. 1903/d.1966)
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| Mary Fisher Glendinning |
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| Ellen Glendinning |
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| Robert Glendinning |
More on Robert Edward Glendinning:
Flying: Vol. 4: The Curtiss Marine Flying Trophy
High Frontier:A History of Aeronautics in Pennsylvania
Aviation History: 1799 Lazaretto Interpretive Museum
Philadelphia in the World War: 1914-1919
Kings Views of the New York Stock Exchange
New York Social Diary
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| Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning McMichael with Clayton Fotterall McMichael, Jr. |
b. November 6, 1869, Pennsylvania
d. April 25, 1899
Elizabeth
Butcher Glendinning married Clayton Fotteral McMichael, of Philadelphia on April
19, 1894; he entered Towne Scientific School, University of Pennsylvania, class
of '01, as a partial student in 1887, and left at the close of his Junior year.
He was member of a fraternity; one of the
founders of the Mask and Wig Club, the University’s celebrated dramatic club;
and joint author of “Ben Franklin Jr." and other plays produced by that
organization. He was also one of
founders, editors and editor-in-chief of college periodical, Red and Blue. After leaving college he became associate
editor of Philadelphia North American, of which his father was owner. At the time of his engagement to Miss
Glendinning, Town Topics, the New York society paper said: "Mr. McMichael
is son of Clayton McMichael, the publisher of the Philadelphia North American and is himself a clever young
journalist, who makes a specialty of dramatic criticism and society gossip. He is, too, a capital amateur actor and stage
manager, and it is largely owing to his efforts that the Mask and Wig Club of
the University of Pennsylvania has achieved its phenomenal success."
Clayton Fotterall McMichael and Elizabeth Butcher Glendinning had two children:
- Elisabeth McMichael
- Clayton F. McMichael, Jr.
More on this family in a separate post...
