In the list of well known residents of Macoupin county should be
named William J. Snedeker, who has made his home in this county for
sixty years and is numbered among its honored pioneers. Like many of the
brave settlers who sought to establish a home on the fertile prairies of
Illinois, he is a native of New York state, born at Rochester, May 24,
1836. He is a son of Jacob and Ellen (Jay) Snedeker, both of whom were
born at Trenton, New Jersey. The father was a farmer and engaged in his
occupation in New York state for a number of years. Believing, however,
that the great west offered more favorable advantages than he perceived
in the more thickly settled regions of the east, he started with his
family for Illinois in 1841, the little party traveling in a covered
wagon. On the way through Ohio he was attracted by the appearance of the
country in Champaign county and took up his residence there. After an
experience of ten years in the Buckeye state he resumed his journey
westward and spent one year in Jersey county, Illinois, at the end of
which time he arrived in Macoupin county, purchasing land at a cost of
five dollars per acre. He was one of the respected pioneers of this
section and spent the remainder of his life in the county of his
adoption. He was a brave man and served in the volunteer army during the
war of 1812. His wife was one of the noble pioneer women. After coming
to Illinois she met the Indians, who were still living in this section,
and was personally acquainted with the celebrated Indian chief, Black
Hawk. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Snedeker were eight children, the
subject of this review being the only one now living.
William J.
Snedeker possessed limited advantages of education in the public schools
and is, therefore, largely a self-educated man, having gained his
knowledge in the great school of experience from which have graduated
many of the noblest men and women America has known. His boyhood and
.youth were spent upon his father’s farm but he early learned the great
lesson of selfreliance. He has resided in Macoupin county most of the
time since 1851, and during all the period indicated has been identified
with the development of this region. He was for many years engaged in
farming but his attention was attracted to the nursery business with
which he became thoroughly acquainted. He successfully carried on the
business in Macoupin, Jersey and Montgomery counties, and gained a wide
reputation as a competent and reliable nurseryman. Having acquired a
competence, he is now living in retirement.
On the 16th of
February, 1859, Mr. Snedeker was married in Macoupin county to Miss Ann
E. Fleming, who was born in this county June 25, 1837, a daughter of
Edward and Elizabeth Fleming. The father was born in Ireland and the
mother in Madison county, Illinois. He came to Greene county, Illinois,
and subsequently settled on land in Macoupin county, which he preempted
from the government, he and his wife spending the remainder of their
days on the home farm. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Snedeker, two of whom, Elizabeth and Elmer M., are now living. Elizabeth
is the wife of W. D. Holland, a prosperous farmer of Hilyard township,
and Elmer is also engaged in farming in the same township. He married
Susan Bright, a native of this county, and they have four children,
William, Anna M., Orville and John E.
The political allegiance
of Mr. Snedeker has been given for many years to the republican party,
which he believes is better adapted than any other organization for
upholding the principles of popular government. He never aspired to
public office but has earnestly assisted in supporting the claims of
friends for political honors. He is a stanch believer in the inspiration
and authority of the Bible and is a member of the Methodist church to
which he is a liberal contributor. A man of kindly nature he has made
many friends who have been attracted by his unselfish qualities and his
interest in the welfare of others.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 175-176.
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