RICHARD GLADDEN occupies a conspicuous position in the large circle of prominent agriculturists of Cecil township and is descended from a pioneer family. The earliest ancestors of the name, whose history can be obtained, were William and Mary (Woods) Gladden, both of whom were born in eastern Pennsylvania. They came to Cecil township in May, 1795, and bought of one Nicholas Gaunce 206 1/4 acres, of which tract he had secured the patent in 1789, and which became their permanent home. After the death of William, the land became the property of Richard Gladden, and has continued to remain in the family name up to the present time. Richard Gladden, son of William and Mary (Woods) Gladden, was born on the old homestead in Cecil township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In early life he was married to Mary Kelso, who was born near Noblestown, Allegheny Co., Penn. He brought his bride to the old farm and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, also giving considerable attention to politics; he voted with the Whig and Republican parties. To the union of Richard and Mary Gladden came the following children: William, living in Canonsburg, Penn.; Martha, wife of Thomas Reed, living at Pasadena, Cal.; Benjamin John, residing in Carthage, Mo.; George, a physician and surgeon of Homestead, Allegheny Co., Penn.; Richard, whose sketch follows; and Joseph, living at Canonsburg, Penn. The father of this family died in 1864, the mother passing away in 1885. Both were members of the U. P. Church at Robinson's Run. Richard Gladden, son of Richard and Mary (Kelso) Gladden, was born in 1855, in Cecil township, in a house which was used as a fort in colonial times. The schoolhouse which he first attended was built on the ground where an oil well is now in operation. On October 25, 1876, he was united in marriage with Lavina Tuten, who was born in Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township, this county, daughter of George and Catherine (Trimmer) Tuten, natives of eastern Pennsylvania, who settled in this county many years ago. The father died in Hickory, Penn., and the mother is yet living, in Pittsburgh. Richard and Lavina (Tuten) Gladden began married life on the farm in Cecil township which they now occupy, consisting of 200 acres of well-cultivated land. He has been engaged in the dairy business, and three oil wells are in operation on the place. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion Mr. and Mrs. Gladden are members of the U. P. Church at McDonald, Penn. They are the parents of three children, viz.: Anna Mary, Iva and Frank.

Text taken from page 1210 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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