One of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Jackson county, in
whose career the ambitious youth of today who seeks to attain success in the
mercantile field may find much that is worthy of emulation, is Andrew L.
Snider, of Sand Ridge, who has attained his present enviable position in the
commercial world as a result of exercising an inherent business ability and
always confining his business operations to legitimate lines. He is a native
of Jackson county, and was born in Pomona township, August 17, 1861, a son
of Andrew Jackson and Liza A. (Lattie) Snider.
Andrew Jackson Snider
was born in the state of Pennsylvania, from whence he was taken by his
parents when a youth to Ohio. He began his career as a railroad man, but
subsequently drifted into the sawmill business, which he was following at
the time of his death, which occurred when his son Andrew L. was about
fifteen years of age. Mr. Snider's demise was caused by an accident in his
mill, when he was in the prime of life, while his widow, a native of Pulaski
county, Illinois, still survives him and makes her home at Sand Ridge. A
public-spirited and patriotic citizen, at the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr.
Snider enlisted in the Federal army and served throughout that struggle. He
and his wife had eight children, Andrew L. being the third in order of
birth, and three other children still survive, namely: Willis Sheridan,
William Sherman and Erin.
Andrew L. Snider received his education in
the public schools of Pomona township, but at the time of his father's death
his mother brought the children to Sand Ridge, and Andrew, as one of the
eldest, was compelled to give up his studies and go to work to assist in
supporting the family. Choosing farming as a vocation, he was engaged
therein until thirty years of age, at which time he saw an opportunity to
establish himself in the mercantile business at Sand Ridge, and during the
past twenty years he has built up a large trade. He does an extensive
business in the surrounding agricultural community, and carries in his stock
those articles which his own experience as a farmer taught him were most
desirable. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Snider has always taken
a keen interest in the success of his party in this section, and for twelve
years he demonstrated his ability as a public official in the office of
postmaster.
When he was twenty years of age Mr. Snider was married
to Miss Annie Cauth, and they had one child, Martin, who is deceased. Mrs.
Snider passing away soon after the birth of the child. In later years Mr.
Snider was united in marriage with Miss Florence Stewart, daughter of A. J.
Stewart, a veteran of the Civil war and prominent Jackson county citizen,
and to this union there have been born three children: Larkin, Wilton and
Roland. Coming to Sand Ridge as a poor boy, without friends or influence
here to aid him, Mr. Snider has forged his way to the front, and has become
one of the substantial and influential men of his community. Foresight and
industry have been the keys that have unlocked for him the door of success,
and he has numerous warm personal friends who take a gratified interest in
the prominence that has come to him.
Extracted 11 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 3, page 1404.