MICHAEL GLENNAN.
The subject of this sketch, owner of the Norfolk Virginian, and at
present postmaster of Norfolk, was born at Maynooth, County Kildare,
Ireland. At Norfolk, November 6, 1879, Rev. Fr. Matthew O'Keefe
solemnized the marriage of Michael Glennan and Mary Elizabeth Kevill,
the bride born in Norfolk. The issue of the union is four children: Edward
Kevill, Mary Belle, Michael and Alma.
Mr. Glennan came to Virginia with his father in childhood, and attended
school in Norfolk, then for a time in Brooklyn, New York. On
returning to Norfolk he was, in 1857, employed as mailing clerk in the
office of the Southern Argus, so serving until the outbreak of the war
After that he served for a time as orderly for Gen. W. P. Taliaferro, who
was then in command of the Virginia forces at Norfolk. He was afterwards
refused enlistment in Virginia troops on account of lameness and
youth. In November, 1861, was connected with the quartermaster's
department, at Wilmington, North Carolina, and in 1862 was attached
to the 36th regiment, North Carolina State Troops, as quartermaster's
sergeant. The regiment was stationed along the defences of the Cape
Fear, with headquarters at Fort Anderson. Later the regiment was
stationed at Fort Fisher, where he served as post quartermaster's sergeant,
and at times as acting quartermaster. As such he participated
in the battles of Fort Fisher, and was captured at the fall of the fort,
January, 1865, and imprisoned at Governor's Island, New York Harbor,
until paroled latter part of March, 1865. Reported at Greensboro,
North Carolina, and was there surrendered with General Johnston's
army, April, 1865.
After the war Mr. Glennan taught school in Portsmouth, Virginia,
until January, 1867, when he became connected with the Norfolk Virginian
as its business manager, and of which he afterwards became
owner. He was for several years a member of the State Democratic
Executive Committee, and chairman of the Democratic party of the
2nd Congressional District. He was one of the delegates at large to
the Democratic National Convention in 1880. In 1875 Mr. Glennan
started in the columns of the Virginian the agitation of a national
celebration of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, and the
erection of the monument in commemoration of the event. The movement
was successful and a magnificent monument now adorns the
historic field of Yorktown. In consideration of his services, Mr. Glennan
was selected by Governor Holliday the commissioner to represent Virginia
at the Centennial celebration. He is now the president of the Irish
Catholic Benevolent Union of the United States, succeeding Hon. A. M.
Keilly, of Richmond, Ex. U. S. Minister to Austria.
