|
|
Facts and Events
| Name |
William Snoddy |
| Gender |
Male |
Documentation
- Source:Sanders and Walton, 1959
- Biography of William Wallace Snoddy
Overview
WILLIAM WALLACE S. SNODDY, of the Pettis county bar, is one of those fortunate men who seem to have inherited a love of books, which is often the making of the man. When a mere lad he saved his pocket money, and put it in " Rollins' Ancient History," in six volumes, the first work he ever owned. The purchase of that standard history showed his taste for solid reading, and the bent of his mind. His fondness for books increased with his years, and has made him one of the best read men in history and general literature, as well as law, in this county.
Mr. Snoddy is of Scotch-Irish lineage, his paternal grandfather being from the County of Antrim, Ireland, and his maternal grandsire was a Scotchman. His grandfather Snoddy came to this country in 1783, and settled in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife lived to be a hundred years old or more. In that county the subject of these notes was born, January 25, 1838, his parents being James and Christina (Schooley) Snoddy. As already intimated, he early showed a desire for knowledge, and took to books as a young duck takes to water. In the strong desire to gratify his taste in this direction, he did not have much encouragement, yet persevered, determined to have a fair education. At seventeen he had fitted himself for a teacher, and commenced that vocation at that age. He succeeded well, and at the same time was a diligent student himself in all the time that he could command out of the school room. By thus economizing his spare hours, he completed the higher English branches, including mathematics, the elements of the Latin language, and began the study of his
profession by borrowing law books of his kind friend, Tobias T. Abrams, of Lock Haven, in his native state.
Mr. Snoddy was prepared to be admitted to the bar when civil war began, and he enlisted in the 137th Pennsylvania infantry. He served in the ranks for eight months, at the end of which time he was commissioned second lieutenant. He received strong testimonials as to his good conduct and bravery from his superior officers.
At the expiration of the time for which he enlisted, he returned to Lock Haven, and received from Governor Curtin the appointment of superintendent of the public schools of Clinton county, the duties of which office he discharged with ability, and to the complete satisfaction of the citizens of the county. Circumstances seemed to again call him into the service of his country, and in September, 1864, he became lieutenant colonel of the 207th Pennsylvania infantry, and served until the rebellion collapsed. On his return to Harrisburgh, as we learn from the " History of Pettis County," " he was received at the capital of the state with an ovation fit for a patriot and hero."
In the year before the war ended, June 11, 1864, Colonel Snoddy was married to Miss Mary M. Long, an accomplished lady, resident of Selin's Grove, Pennsylvania, and they have had nine children, burying four of them.
In December, 1865, the colonel was admitted to practice, at Lock Haven, and a few weeks afterward he started for this state with his little family, wife and one child. On his way hither, while on a visit to the Island of Blennerhasset, his first-born, Blanche E., died.
Colonel Snoddy reached Sedalia in April, 1866, with but very little money, no law books, and friends all yet to be made. He immediately opened an office, and waited for clients. None came for nearly a month. He gained his first suit, and business increased. He soon formed a partnership with Robert G. Durham, who became judge of the court of common pleas in 1868. Then Colonel Snoddv formed a partnership with Lucius L. Bridges, and the firm of Snoddy and Bridges continued with marked success for eight years. Since 1876 Colonel Snoddy has been alone in practice, and is doing a highly remunerative business, extending into the several courts of this state and other states, and also the federal courts. He is a sound lawyer, and makes a powerful argument before court or jury. He has a fine presence; is six feet and two inches tall, of symmetrical build; is courteous and gentlemanly in his demeanor, and his appearance and voice favorably impress on all occasions.
He is a republican in politics, but evidently is not seriously afflicted with political aspirations. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has held various offices in the order; has represented the supreme lodge of the Knights of Honor of the United States, and is aid-de-camp and inspector of the Grand Army of the Republic for the district of Missouri.
Colonel Snoddy devotes very little time to matters outside his profession, and is probably as hard a worker as any man at the Pettis county bar. He has a a good miscellaneous library, and a large law library, and is never more at home than with his books. , He is familiar with the best novelists, and literary writers generally of the age, and is a good entertainer in the social circle.
|
|
