Glenville is a city in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States, near Albert Lea. It is along the Shell Rock River. The population was 643 …Glenville is a city in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States, near Albert Lea. It is along the Shell Rock River. The population was 643 at the 2010 census. First platted as Shell Rock in 1856, Glenville was then incorporated in 1898. The name Glenville was created by the officers of the railroad company.