East Town in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rescue of Joshua Glover

Photographed by Paul F, May 18, 2010

1. Rescue of Joshua Glover Marker

North side of two sided marker

Inscription. Joshua Glover was a runaway slave who sought freedom in Racine in 1852. In 1854, his Missouri owner used the Fugitive Slave Act to apprehend him. This 1850 law permitted slave catchers to cross state lines to captured escaped slaves. Glover was taken to Milwaukee and imprisoned.

Word spread about Glover’s incarceration and a great crowd gathered around the jail demanding his release. They beat down the jail door and released Joshua Glover. He was eventually escorted to Canada and safety.

The Glover incident helped galvanize abolitionist sentiment in Wisconsin. This case eventually led the state supreme court to defy the federal government by declaring the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional.

Erected 2001 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 463.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 43° 2.546′ N, 87° 54.276′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in East Town. It is at the intersection of East Kilbourn Avenue and North Jackson Street, on the right

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when traveling east on East Kilbourn Avenue. Marker is located in the northeast corner of Cathedral Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milwaukee WI 53202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Court House (a few steps from this marker); Saint John Cathedral (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Court House Square (about 300 feet away); Matthew Keenan House (about 700 feet away); Womens Club of Wisconsin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old St. Mary's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brig. Gen. Rufus King’s Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northwestern National Insurance Company (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Photographed by Paul F, May 18, 2010

2. Rescue of Joshua Glover Marker

South side of two sided marker

Photographed by Paul F, May 18, 2010

3. Rescue of Joshua Glover Marker

Northeast corner of Cathedral Square Park. Marker is just off sidewalk in the middle of the picture.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 4,221 times since then and 201 times this year. Last updated on July 13, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.