My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS G. SNAIR.
In a history of the successful men of Creston and Union county mention should be made of Thomas G. Snair, who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He started in life in a very humble capacity, selling newspapers and later working as an apprentice at the harness-maker’s trade. Character and ability, however, will come to the front everywhere, and the resolute spirit, laudable purpose and ambition of Mr. Snair enabled him to gradually work his way upward. He was born in Warsaw, Illinois, in 1850, and is a representative of an old American family of German ancestry. The first representatives of the name, however, came to the United States in early colonial days. The grandfather served in the Revolutionary war as a member of a Pennsylvania regiment.

Joseph Snair was born in the Keystone state and became a farmer. Removing westward to Illinois, he settled at Warsaw when a young man and there lived until his life’s labors were ended in death in 1853, when he was forty-seven years of age. He prospered in his business undertakings, performing faithfully and well each duty, while his close application and unremitting diligence constituted the basis of his prosperity. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church and his political belief that of the democracy. In early manhood he wedded Nancy Ann Steelfox, who was born in Liverpool, England, February 11, 1819, and died January 29, 1899, in the eightieth year of her age. She came to the United States in 1840 when a young lady of eighteen years, with her parents, Thomas and Fanny Steelfox. Her father was a sea captain, sailing between Liverpool and New Orleans. Mrs. Snair became a resident of Warsaw, Illinois, while others of the family located in Mobile, Alabama. She, too, belonged to the Episcopal church and shaped her life according to its teachings. She was the mother of six children, namely: Fanny, the wife of Michael Hines, a boiler maker and superintendent of a shop for repairing ships, in Mobile, Alabama; Barbara, the wife of D. V. Smith, a harness maker of Mobile; Thomas G., of this review; Eliza, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of S. I. Silsby, a land speculator making his home in Mobile; and Cornelia, the deceased wife of Benjamin Ball, an engineer on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad. The last two were born of her marriage to Richard Taylor, whom she wedded after the death of Mr. Snair. Mr. Taylor was a millwright at Warsaw Illinois.

Thomas G. Snair attended the common schools of Warsaw and when but a boy provided for his own support by carrying papers. He rowed a boat to Keokuk six miles on the Mississippi and back each morning in order to secure his supply of papers. He afterward qualified for life’s practical and responsible duties by serving an apprenticeship to the harness-maker’s trade until he became an expert workman. He was first paid two dollars a week for his services and after he had completed his apprenticeship he followed that pursuit for a short time but later carried water for a construction gang on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad. His next position was that of brakesman on freight trains on the same road and successive promotions made him brakesman on passenger trains. Subsequently he became a baggageman, afterward a conductor on freight trains and later was appointed conductor on a passenger run during the Centennial year of 1876. Thus successive promotions came to him in recognition of his ability and trust worthiness. In 1877 he came to Creston and entered the employ of the Burlington Railroad as a freight conductor, making the run between Creston and Council Bluffs. The first fast mail train on the road was assigned Mr. Snair as conductor, his run being from Creston to Council Bluffs which he retained until his appointment to a passenger train, running between Creston and Omaha. He acted in that capacity until his election as sheriff of Union county, which occurred in the fall of 1885. He was elected by a majority of four hundred and eighty-five in a republican county as a democratic candidate, his opponent being Robert J. McKee. He served for two terms and on the occasion of his second election his opponent was Major Willison, whom he defeated by sixteen votes. He was nominated for a third term over six of the most prominent men in the county but was defeated by J. B Wray, a very popular man in the county, which is an acknowledged republican stronghold. He proved an efficient officer, fearless in the discharge of his duty, his labors being a strong element in maintaining law and order throughout the county. Those opposed to him politically acknowledged his capability and gave him high encomiums for his official record.

After his retirement from office Mr. Snair was assigned to a mixed train running between Creston and St. Joseph, Missouri, on the Burlington and afterward was transferred to a mixed train on the Creston. and Cumberland branch, which he still retains. He has been with the Burlington road for thirty years and is one of the trusted employes in the operative service. He owns a well improved farm of four hundred acres in Dodge township and a pleasant modern home at the corner of Mills and Spruce streets in Creston. He is also a stockholder in the Iowa State Savings Bank of this city having made judicious investments of his means in property and in one of the strong moneyed concerns of the county.

On the 18th of January, 1883, Mr. Snair was married to Miss Emma Hoppe, who was born in Germany in 1853, a daughter of Henry and Henrietta Hoppe, who came to the United States in 1854, locating in Virginia where they lived for two years. The father, a mechanic, removed westward to Keokuk, Iowa, where he died in 1866, at the age of fifty-three years, his wife surviving until 1876 when she passed away at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Snair was the seventh. By her marriage she has become the mother of a son and daughter, Joseph Henry, who was born November 3, 1883, and is a musician; and Lottie S., who died June 9, 1906, at the age of seventeen years, her death being a great blow to her parents.

Mrs. Snair was christened and confirmed in the German Lutheran church but with her husband now attends the Episcopal church. Mr. Snair is a prominent Mason and also belongs to the Elks lodge. He is now one of the leading stockholders in the company, formed for the building of the Masonic Temple at Creston, and is a charter member of Creston City Lodge, No. 522, A. F. & A. M. He is also a charter and life member of Lodge No. 605, B. P. O. E. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. His political support is given to the democracy and in the party work he takes great interests, while in all matters of citizenship he manifests a public-spirited devotion to the general good that have resulted in active and helpful cooperation for measures that have proven of much value in promoting the growth and progress of the city and county. Whatever success he has achieved in life and it is considerable, is due entirely to his own labors and his careful utilization of opportunities.