The state of Ohio has contributed thousands of its sons to Illinois
and here many of them have gained friends and fortune, being recognized
as substantial citizens who have truly merited the confidence in which
they are held in their respective communities. In this number is John F.
Snell, of Virden township, who was born in Ohio, March 24, 1864, a son
of Henry and Amanda (Mayer) Snell, the former of whom was also born in
the Buckeye state. The father came to Illinois with his family in 1867
and engaged in farming in Macoupin county, becoming the owner of one
hundred and sixty acres of good land. He died November 5, 1905, and his
wife was called away in February, 1903. They were the parents of six
children, namely: Anna Mary, deceased; Emma, who married Frank
Buckingham, of Girard; John F., of this review; Elizabeth, deceased;
Charles, a resident of Virden; and Ollie, who is now living on the old
homestead.
In the common schools John F. Snell gained his
preliminary education which he has since greatly widened by contact with
the world. He continued with his parents until reaching maturity and
then rented three hundred acres which he cultivated for nine years. He
subsequently rented one hundred and sixty acres for five years, and
having accumulated sufficient capital, purchased eighty acres in Virden
township, one-half mile southwest of the town. He engaged in general
farming and made a specialty of breeding full blooded Percheron horses.
In his business affairs he has displayed clear discernment and his good
management is evident in the excellent results he has obtained. During
recent years he has been greatly interested in coal mining arid is the
principal stockholder of a valuable property at Farmersville, which
carries a vein nine to fourteen feet thick. This mine gives promise of
becoming one of the large producers of the county.
On the 24th
of December, 1885, Mr. Snell was married to Miss Catherine Brubaker.
They have four children, namely: Dorothy, who was born September 30,
1888, and is the wife of George Stutzman, of Mount Vernon; Bertha,
deceased; Ernest, who was born September 1, 1896, and is living at home;
and Blanche, born June 12, 1901. Mr. Snell is a valued member of the
Church of the Brethren. He is not interested in politics and has never
voted but has applied himself closely to business and is accounted one
of the energetic and successful men of this section. He is a man of
pleasing nature and by his kindly spirit has gained the good will of his
neighbors and of all with whom he has had business or social relations.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 674-675.
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