John Schnoor
From a farmer boy to manager of an important mercantile establishment in a flourishing city is a long step and yet it has been made by John Schnoor, now at the head of the Salomon Furniture Company of Denison. The success which has attended his efforts is the result of his industry and enterprise, which are dominant traits in his character.
He was born in Holstein. Germany, April 22, 1869, son of Nicholas and Anna (Asmus) Schnoor, both natives of Germany. There were six children in their family, namely: Marie, now deceased; Minnie, who married Herman Rush and is also deceased; Caroline, widow of Claus J. Salomon of Denison; Jacob, of Amherst, Nebraska; John, of Denison; and Emma, who died at the age. of nine years. Marie, the first born, was drowned at sea in 1883, going down with the vessel and all on board; Emma lost her life by a sandbank falling upon her; and the father, who was a sailor, died in Germany at the age of forty-eight years. All three of these deaths occurred in 1881.
Mrs. Schnoor came to America with her children Caroline, Minnie and John in 1883, her son Jacob having preceded them in March of the same year. The mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Caroline Salomon, January 1, 1911. The family is identified with the Lutheran church. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Claus Schnoor, was also a sailor. He died in the same year as Kaiser Wilhelm and they were about the same age. There were three sons in his family: Hans, Jacob and Nicholas, and several daughters. The maternal grandfather, Hans Asmus, was a baker. He died in Germany at the age of about fifty-six years. Six of his children grew to maturity, namely: Henry, Hans, John, Elsabe, Antje, and Anna.
John Schnoor lived in his native country until fourteen years of age and received his early education in the common schools. In 1883 he came to America with his mother and they located on a farm in Crawford county, where he continued until the fall of 1887. In the meantime he assisted in building the railroad yards at Manilla, Iowa. In November, 1887, he went to work at Denison under Claus Sievers, the pioneer harnessmaker of Crawford county, now deceased. After four years with Mr. Sievers, the subject of this review removed to Amherst, Nebraska, and there folIowed his trade. In 1894 he went to Manning, Iowa, where he remained for four years, and then took up his residence at Denison and for seven years successfulIy conducted a harness-making establishment in this city. He sold out to the Sernmann Manufacturing Company and next entered the employ of his brother-in-law, C. J. Salomon, in the furniture business, and after the latter's death became manager of the concern, in which position he has since continued.
On the 27th of December, 1889, Mr. Schnoor was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Kunz, who was born at Appenrade, Schleswig, Germany, a daughter of Andreas and Augusta (Lorenzen) Kunz. Her parents came to America first in 1880 but made three trips back and forth across the ocean, finaIIy settling in Denison in 1883. The father is now deceased but the mother is living in this city. Of their children Andrew, Amalia, Nicolina, Marie and Augusta are now living. A daughter, Brigita, and a son are deceased. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schnoor, namely: Amanda, Edna, Hilda and Esther.
Mr. Schnoor and his wife are both members of the German Methodist church and their children are also connected with that denomination. PoliticaIIy, he gives his support to the democratic party. He was elected justice of the peace at Manning but did not qualify as he moved away soon after his election. He served for two years as member of the city council of Illinois. Fraternally, he is identified with Sylvan Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M., and the Eastern Star. He also belongs to Denison Lodge, No. 626, I. O. O. F., the Encampment, the Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. A man of unquestioned integrity and high ideals, he has made practical application in business and private life of the beautiful teachings of the orders to which he belongs and is greatly respected by a wide circle of warm personal friends in Denison.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.