My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT T. SNELL is an old settler of Xenia and one of its highly-respected citizens, well known as the proprietor of Snell’s Hotel. He came here in 1845 and engaged at his trade as a plasterer, but in 1851 embarked as an hotel keeper at the stand he now occupies. He carried on this enterprise until 1885, when he took his son Edward in with him, the style of the business now being R. T. Snell & Son.

The place of nativity of Robert Snell is Philadelphia, Pa., where his birth occurred October 20, 1812. When sixteen years old he went to New Jersey, where he remained until 1836, when he changed his residence to Franklin, Warren County, Ohio. There our subject learned the trade of a plasterer and first began work for himself, removing from that place to Xenia at the time before noted.

The first wife of Mr. Snell was Miss Hannah Cafferty, who died leaving two children, Tamsen and James, both now deceased. Subsequently the widower married Miss Jane Sherrit, who was born in Bath County, Va., April 15, 1823, and is the daughter of John and Anna G. (Berry) Sherrit, natives of Virginia. The maternal grandfather was a member of the Virginia Legislature and Senate for thirty years. She bore four children, namely: Benjamin, an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Robert, now deceased; Priscilla, now the wife of Benjamin Knecht, of Dayton; and Edward, in Xenia. Mr. Snell is a member of the Republican party, with no political aspirations of a personal nature. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Episcopal Church.

Edward Snell, now interested with his father in the hotel business, and also connected with the Adams Express Company at the depot, was born in the same house in which he now lives, May 14, 1861. After having pursued a course of study in the common schools of the city until he had entered the High School department, he entered the employ of N. & G. Ohmer, who were carrying on a restaurant at the depot, remaining with them until he took charge of the railroad restaurant at Morrowtown, which he ran for two years. He then returned to his native place and became interested in the Snell House, and for the last three years has been night clerk for the Adams Express Company.

Although a young man, Edward Snell has been Assessor for his Ward (the 5th), and also served in the Council during 1889. He casts his vote with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, and possesses the manly and upright character which wins for him the respect of all who know him.

While in business at Morrow, Mr. Snell met, wooed and married Miss Carrie Abell, of Zanesville, Ohio, the wedding ceremony taking place in 1883. The charming and intelligent bride is a daughter of Marcus F. Abell, and lived in her native city until the time of her marriage. Their happy union has been blessed by the birth of three daughters — Lillian, Florence and Ethel.

Benjamin Snell, father of the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, was born in England, and when thirteen years old went to sea, following a sailor’s life until seventy three years old. He married Miss Ann Guy, of Philadelphia, where he made his home after retiring from a sea-faring life. While pursuing his calling he once took sixteen Swedish noblemen off a wreck and carried them safely to Philadelphia; for this exploit the King of Sweden bestowed upon him a gold medal, which he left to his granddaughter, Mrs. Knecht of Dayton, Ohio.