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Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HON. JOHN M. SNEED. A position of influence among the citizens of Pettis County is held by the gentleman whose name we place at the opening of this sketch, and who is numbered among the wealthiest residents of Bowling Green Township. The large property of which he is the owner, amounting to some eight hundred acres, has been gained through his unaided exertions, and shows what may be accomplished by industry and energy, when coupled with a good business judgment and a determination to succeed.

Mr. Sneed was born in Garrard County, Ky., April 9, 1826. His father, Alexander Sneed, was a native of Albemarle County, Va., while his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Campbell) Sneed, was born in Washington County, that state. The father made the journey to the Blue Grass State when eighteen years of age, and thereafter made it his home. A few years later he returned to the Old Dominion and married Miss Campbell, who was then living in the town of Abingdon. Of the children born to them, only three lived to mature years.

In 1837, when John M. was a lad of eleven years, the journey was undertaken to Boyle County, Ky. The family located near Danville, where our subject was reared to mature years, and where he continued to live until 1854. He was married, October 22, 1844, to Miss Mary Stewart, the daughter of William and Dorcas (Wilmot) Stewart. Mrs. Sneed was born in Danville, Ky., March 18, 1823, and there was given a good education in the public schools.

Our subject came to Pettis County, this state, in 1854, and at once located upon the farm which is his home at the present time. He has been very successful as an agriculturist, adding to his estate from time to time, until he is now the owner of one of the largest and most valuable tracts in this portion of the state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sneed there have been born eight children, of whom we make the following mention: Margaret is now the wife of John Montgomery, Jr.; William is living at home; Sally is the wife of J. C. Thompson; Robert C., who is an attorney in St. Louis, married Miss Mary Montgomery; John B. married Sally Potter, and departed this life January 22, 1895; George V. makes his home in Wichita; Frank W. is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Harry, the youngest of the family, is in Smithton.

Hon. John M. Sneed was Presiding Judge of the Pettis County Court for four years, and as an official won an honorable record. He has always been very popular in his community and is a man always interested in public improvements. He takes an active part in local politics, and since 1860 has voted with the Democratic party.

The father of our subject served as a soldier in the War of 1812, while his father was a patriot for seven years in the Revolutionary army. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Campbell, was a Colonel in the Continental army during the Revolutionary period.

Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a faithful supporter of that body. Socially he belongs to the State Grange, and for many years was Master and Treasurer of that organization. He is a man stanch in principle, clear in perception and decided in character, and deserves the good things which have come to him and the intimate business and social acquaintance which he enjoys.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Pettis County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Pettis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Pettis County, Missouri family biographies here: Pettis County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Pettis County, Missouri here: Pettis County, Missouri Map

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