Phineas Vaughan-- Part 1: Helped Invent Barbed Wire

From the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and History Center.

PHINEAS VAUGHAN  1827-1897

Played a pivotal role in helping his friend, Joseph F. Glidden, invent "The Winner,"  one of the most widely used types of barbed wire.  Ultimately, he and Glidden would patent a hand-operated machine for making barbed wire.

The site of his original blacksmith shop is on the north side of Lincoln Highway between 3rd and 4th streets in downtown DeKalb.  It is marked by a horseshoe embedded in the concrete sidewalk, believed to be one from Vaughan's shop.

--Cooter