Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1635

SNODGRASS, WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON (deceased), who was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural and official life of Sangamon County, and whose widow now resides on the original 160 acres tract in Cotton Hill Township, entered by Mr. Snodgrass's father, in pioneer days, was born November 27, 1842, in Sangamon County. He was a son of James and Nancy (Moon) Snodgrass, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. The parents came to Illinois and settled in Sangamon County at an early date, long prior to the "Deep Snow", the father entering 160 acres of land from the Government, and later purchasing more property, continuing to farm on this land until his death. There were two sons and five daughters in the family, all of whom are now deceased.

William H. H. Snodgrass was educated in a log schoolhouse in Cotton Hill Township, and during his boyhood days assisted his father in the work of the farm. He spent his entire life on this property, and at the time of his death, which occurred July 15, 1907, was the owner of the original 160-acre tract. Mr. Snodgrass was for eight years Deputy Sheriff of Sangamon County, was for ten years a Justice of the Peace and also served for several terms as Assessor and Collector of his township. His father had been for some years Constable of the township in which he lived. He was a Trustee in the Methodist Church, which his widow and family have always attended. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass were personal friends of Abraham Lincoln.

On January 3, 1862, Mr. Snodgrass was married in Cotton Hill Township, to Miss Sarah Hall, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, February 19, 1844, the daughter of Lemuel and Hannah Hall, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Maryland. Mr. Hall, who followed the occupation of farming, went to Franklin County, Ohio, at an early date, but several years later moved to Sangamon County and in 1854 located in Cotton Hill Township, where he engaged in farming and continued at that occupation until his death, which occurred in 1886, his wife having died in 1854 in Ohio. Mr. Hall was a soldier during the Black Hawk War and was well known and highly respected in his day. Of his family of three sons and five daughters all are deceased with the exception of Mrs. Snodgrass. To Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass there were born nine daughters and three sons, and of these five are now living, namely: Dora, the wife of Charles Dewese, living on a farm in Sangamon County; Mary, the wife of Albert R. Carey, also in Sangamon County; Eva, living at home; Hester, the wife of M. J. Sanders, living near Pawnee, Sangamon County; and William B., who lives with his mother on the farm on Section 10, Cotton Hill Township. There have been eight grandchildren in the family, all of whom are living.