Glenns Ferry, Idaho
Home Of The Three Island Crossing
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Glenns Ferry, Idaho
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Pioneer Area History
The patriarch John Glenn, being a seventh son, emigrated from Northern Ireland to the Thirteen Colonies at the time of the American Revolution. While the myth's origin remains unclear, it is believed that throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and parts of the United States, that the seventh son possessed exceptional healing powers. Upon his arrival in the colonies, John Glenn joined George Washington's army and became a sergeant in command of the General's bodyguard. After the Revolutionary War, John Glenn migrated westward to Kentucky where his seventh son, Harvey Glenn was born in approximately 1808. The local village people held steadfastly to their ancestors' superstition that if Harvey, the seventh son of a seventh son, blew his breath in the face of a sick child, that child would get well. Not bring superstitious himself, Harvey often accommodated his neighbors' request. Although the names of five of the older brothers remain a mystery, Harvey did have a younger brother by the name of Henry. In 1828, at the age of 20, Harvey Glenn married Nancy Pruett, who was born in Virginia. Harvey and his wife then settled in Highland County, Liberty Township, Ohio. Harvey and Nancy raised seven children whose names, in order of birth, are June (born 1836), Gustavus Pinkham (born 1838), O. S. (born 1840), Lavenie (born 1840), Charles Constantine (born October 18, 1842), Lockhart Trimble (birth date unknown), and Annie (birth date unknown). Three of Harvey's sons, Gus, O. S., and Charles Constantine enlisted in the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. Charles served as a lieutenant in an artillery battalion while O. S. successfully moved up the ranks. Originally enlisting as a private, Oliver S. was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the Sixth Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, on December 13, 1861. Having declined promotion to Captain in 1864, Oliver was mustered out of the Army in Omaha, Nebraska on April 1, 1865, receiving $329.80 in pay. Meanwhile, not taking a liking to the Army way of life, Gus left the service in 1862 and ventured westward to Idaho. Following in the adventuresome footsteps of the bold pioneers before him, Gus traveled the Oregon Trail to the fertile Snake River Valley. Although it was as late as 1834 when the first trail was blazed through the Snake River Valley, early explorers had already paved the way with the likes of Wilson Price Hunt and his expedition in 1811-12, and Donald McKensie in 1818. Likewise, the trappers Kit Carson, William Sublette, and Jedediah Smith, had meandered through the great broad valley. But it was in 1834 that, following the explorations of Nathaniel Wyeth and Captain Bonneville, Fort Hall and Fort Boise were established and became stations along the "new" Oregon Trail. And, in the segment between these stopping points was located the historic Three Island Ford. So it was here, approximately two miles above Three Island Ford, that Gus built the ferry in 1863 for his freighters to cross the Snake River. Now, while we know that Gus arrived in the area somewhat destitute, we don't know how he acquired the where-with all to get into the freight business. Gus' huge freighters the story goes, pulled in long trains from Kelton, Utah, to the ferry with as many as 20 yoke of oxen per wagon, traveled the dusty desert and lush Snake River Valley. These freighters, along with covered wagons, horseback riders, stagecoaches, and non-descript travelers, formed an almost continuous procession past the doors of trailside settlers at the ferry, Montgomery's ranch, Rye Grass or Bennett's Creek, Rattlesnake near the present site of Mountain Home, Idaho, Blacks, and on into Boise, Idaho. This was known as the "Kelton to Boise" section of the Oregon Trail. Sometime during this time period, Gus had occasion to venture across the Camas Prairie, "Qa-mass" in Native American, near what is now known as Fairfield, Idaho. The Camas Prairie was named for the resplendent blue camas flower whose edible bulb was a staple among the indigenous Bannock Native American tribe. During this crossing, some early settlers dressed as Native Americans attacked Gus and left him for dead. Historically, this happened several times in the region for such reasons as acquiring children or personal property. A Bannock Native American Woman, Jenny Toms (probably born October 10, 1854) found him and nursed him back to health. They married one another at the ferry site in 1869.
In 1863, Gus Glenn began operating a ferry across the Snake River. His purpose was to move freight from Utah to Boise in an efficient manner. Eventually, the Oregon Short Line Railroad replaced the need for a ferry. Although Glenn's Ferry was abandoned, the name was not, but was instead given to the city, which was incorporated in October of 1909.
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