A native of Ohio, born in Adams County, April 12, 1820, and the son of James and Mary (McNeil) Glasgow, who were also natives of the same county. He was reared on his father's farm, and received but a limited education in the old log school-houses of his native county. He was married, in 1840, to Miss Mary R. Finley, a daughter of William Finley, a prominent farmer of Adams County. He followed farming in Ohio till 1854, when he came to Washington County, Iowa, and located in Washington Township, where he followed the same business for several years. In 1860 Mr. Glasgow was nominated, and by his party was elected, a member of the Lower House of the General Assembly of the State, and served with credit to himself and his constituents. He was present during the special session in the spring of 1861, called for the purpose of making provisions for enlisting and providing men to help put down the Rebellion. In March, 1864 he enlisted as a private in Co. H, 2d Iowa Vet. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war. Returning home in the fall of 1865 he was nominated and elected County Treasurer, and was re-elected three times, serving in all eight years. He has at all times enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides.