Hugh James Glenn (1824 – February 17, 1883) was a prominent businessman and politician in California. Glenn was born near Staunton, Virginia, and grew up in Monroe County, Missouri. He was educated as a physician at McDowell's Medical College in St. Louis, Missouri. Glenn served with Colonel Alexander William Doniphan's Missouri Volunteers in the Mexican-American War, returning to St. Louis afterwards to marry Nancy Harrison Abernathy in March 15, 1849, who is related to Tirey L. Ford. [1] In 1850, he joined the California Gold Rush. He found no gold, but was successful in operating a livery stable at Sacramento, later selling it for a good profit. He returned to California in 1853, bringing his family with him.
Glenn became a cattle rancher, and in 1868 moved to Jacinto, then in Colusa County, California. He purchased nearly 45,000 acres, cultivating 6,000 of it in grain, earning him the nickname of the Wheat King of California.
Glenn began his public career on the California State Board of Agriculture. In 1879, he ran in the California gubernatorial election as the candidate of both the Democratic and the New Constitution parties. He lost to Republican George C. Perkins.
In 1883, Dr. Glenn was murdered on his ranch at Jacinto, California, by a Huram Miller, who worked for him as a bookkeeper. Miller was an alcoholic and Glenn finally struck him, after being verbally abused by the drunken employee. Miller brooded for several days, then shot Glenn in the head from ambush with a load of buckshot. Glenn was survived by his wife and three children.
In 1891, Glenn County was created and was named in honor of Hugh James Glenn.