Finding Freedom: The Untold Story of Joshua Glover, Runaway Slave

by Walter T. McDonald, Ruby West Jackson

"Shall a man be dragged back to Slavery from our Free Soil, without an open trial of his right to Liberty?" —Handbill circulated in Milwaukee on March 11, 1854 In Finding Freedom , Ruby West Jackson and Walter T. McDonald provide readers with the first narrative account of the life of Joshua Glover, the runaway slave who was famously broken out of jail by thousands of Wisconsin abolitionists in 1854. Employing original research, the authors chronicle Glover's days as a slave in St. Louis, his violent capture and thrilling escape in Milwaukee, his journey on the Underground Railroad, and his 33 years of freedom in rural Canada. While Jackson and McDonald demonstrate how the catalytic "Glover incident" captured national attention—pitting the proud state of Wisconsin against the Supreme Court and adding fuel to the pre-Civil War fire—their primary focus is on the ordinary citizens, both black and white, with whom Joshua Glover interacted. A bittersweet story of bravery and compassion, Finding Freedom provides the first full picture of the man for whom so many fought, and around whom so much history was made.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, American, Race

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Pascal Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific story, so well written, which will keep your interest from start to finish. The story of Joshua Glover would make a great movie. My hats off to the authors for bringing such a sublime but important and much overlooked story to life.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

A documentary/short premiered at RNC in Milwaukee 2024 “Liberty at Stake, the Josuha Glover Story.” https://www.badgerinstitute.org/docum...
I thought it odd, as the Republican Party of today I don't perceive as being a party to help
an unfortunate escape their bondage. Josuha Glover is known in Milwaukee and Racine. And I wanted to read or listen to the story.

I was also curious because I had seen of Josuha Glover, didn't match the image on the Mural of Glover, on the I-43 over[under] pass in Milwaukee.
https://pbswisconsineducation.org/bio...

Finding Freedom shares the history of Glover, his life in Racine, rescue from Milwaukee, escape and life in Canada. Glover was able to find work with a good soul.

[Jane Considine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided an informative view of the actual operation of the Underground Railroad (UGRR) in Wisconsin in the 1850s and an unvarnished picture of the life of "Josh"/"Old Josh" Glover from his youth until his death in Canada in 1888. The authors accumulated many details about the events surrounding his flight from St. Louis to Milwaukee, the individuals and groups who enslaved him, supported the economy and structure of slavery, provided resources when he ran away, represented him in the legal system, and ultimately gave him passage to freedom on the UGRR.
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[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Read hardcover for Mil-book-ee book club, Milwaukee County Historical Society

Well written and well-rearched story about Joshua Glover, a man who was enslaved in St. Louis, ran to Racine, WI, was captured under the Fugitive Slave Act, but was freed from the Milwaukee County jail by the citizens of Milwaukee who rioted. He escaped through the UGRR to Canada and lived out his days.

I appreciate the fact based story and limited conjecture, unlike Master Slave Husband Wife. Id rather have the facts and it be shorter than too much fluff and background to add pages.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, informative.

[Fculwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of story here pieced together from the spare historical record of the actual escape and life of Joshua Glover. Some of the details are included from written records of other people's lives to demonstrate how it might have been for Mr Glover. Still, it's worth reading for the perspective it presents of the workings of the Underground Railroad, for what ensued for people who were able to escape, and for the engineers who helped them. Additionally it was interesting to me as a segment of Wisconsin's history.

[Donna Agnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book - not only describes the Fugitive Slave Law, the Dred Scott decision and their ramifications but ably and viably gives the narrative of Joshua Glover, his escape, kidnapping, ultimate escape to freedom and life afterwards in Canada. The end of Joshua Glover's life is both moving and heartbreaking. I picked up this well-researched book while doing further work on the UGRR (Underground Railroad) for an August talk about Wisconsin's 2 well-documented cases.

[Lavonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting history of the Underground Railroad in WI's history based around the life of Joshua Glover.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched history of one freedom seeker, who made it to Canada and those who impacted his life.
Provides a view of Wisconsin in the 1800’s.