BIOS: William J. GLESSNER, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. 
Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis 
Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 360/1

William J. GLESSNER.

William J. Glessner, a prosperous farmer of Somerset, Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, was born April 11, 1856, in Stony Creek township, Somerset county, 
son of John M. and Mary (Walker) Glessner.
The founder of this family in America was Jacob G. Glessner, a native of 
Germany, who emigrated to this country when quite young, settling in Berlin, 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania.  He was a member of the Reformed church.  The 
preacher, Rev. Mr. Spangenburg, decided to resign, and held a meeting one day to 
solicit the congregation to support him for the remainder of his life.  He was 
not an old man, and Mr. Glessner took exception to this move, knowing that the 
church was in debt and the congregation small.  At the close of the meeting, the 
minister called Mr. Glessner to the back of the church, saying he desired to 
talk the matter over.  As soon as they were alone Mr. Spangenburg pulled out a 
knife and stabbed Mr. Glessner in the heart, and he died immediately.  The 
minister was the first man to be hanged in Somerset county.
Jacob Glessner, son of Jacob G. Glessner, was born near Berlin, in Somerset 
county, and was a miller by trade. He married, and among his children was a son, 
Joseph.
Joseph Glessner, son of Jacob Glessner, was born in Stony Creek township in 
1800.  He was a farmer by occupation, and also engaged quite extensively in 
milling.  He married Catherine Musser, and they had the following named 
children: Susan, Tobias, Jacob, John M., Joseph, Henry, Mary, Catherine, Sarah, 
Edmond and Eliza.
John M. Glessner, fourth child and third son of Joseph and Catherine (Musser) 
Glessner, was born in Stony Creek township, November 21, 1832.  He followed the 
quiet but useful occupation of a farmer, and met with good success in this line. 
His wife was Mary Walker, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Fritz) Walker, and 
they had children as follows: Catherine; William J., of whom later; Joseph J., 
deceased; Ida V.; Mary J.; Jacob M., Edmund, deceased; John, deceased; Melissa 
E., and Harry H.
William J. Glessner, son of John M. and Mary (Walker) Glessner, obtained a good 
common school education, and at the age of eighteen years engaged in school 
teaching, continuing for three terms.  He subsequently turned his attention to 
agricultural pursuits, and owns a fine farm in Somerset county, which is in a 
high state of cultivation and improvement.
He married, July 5, 1877, Sarah Stoy, who was born July 1, 1857, in Somerset, 
daughter of Conrad and Mary (Buser) Stoy.  Mr. and Mrs. Glessner have the 
following children: Ida B., born October 14, 1878, married Mahlon Landis, and 
they live with her people; John R., April 22, 1880; Mary E., March 8, 1882, 
married Edward Forney, and they are members of the Reformed church and live in 
Stony Creek; Roger W., April 12, 1884; Nellie C., March 27, 1886; J. Blanch, 
July 14, 1887; Robert H., October 25, 1888; Stella C., August 22, 1890; J. Pius, 
July 19, 1892; Alvin S., June 19, 1894; Merle K., May 16, 1896; and Ruth, 
September 16, 1898.