As a youth Gledden spent many years in Germany, Finland (then part of the Russian Empire) and other continental countries, and became a good linguist.
He went to Perth, Western Australia, about the beginning of 1892, and after practising for a few months as a surveyor was asked by William Marmion, then the minister of lands, to take charge of mining surveys at Coolgardie.
Gledden acted as mining registrar and warden at different times and was well acquainted with all the early pioneers at the goldfields.
Having a good memory and a keen sense of humour his reminiscences of life during the early days of the goldfields were found very interesting in later years.
After his wife died about 1921, Gleddon continued to travel, but kept his interest in Western Australia and spent a good deal of his time there.