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1907 Past and Present Biographies

John A. Snively

John A. Snively, a well known merchant residing in Farlin, Bristol township, was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, January 7, 1861. His father, Andrew Snively, was a native of Germany, who, when he came to the United States with his parents, located in Muscatine. He passed away in Henry county, Illinois, in April, 1901. The mother of our subject was Ruth Ann,Hawk, a native of Ohio. Nine children were born to these worthy people: Margaret, who married John Fowler; John A., the subject of this review; Georgiana; Lucretia; Pearl; James, a resident of Farlin; Priscilla, who died in infancy; William; and Roy.

John A. Snively received his early education in the common schools but acquired a more practical training for life in assisting his father in the duties of the farm. At a very early age he left Muscatine county and removed to Henry county, Illinois. where he remained until 1893, when he came to Greene county and located on a farm in Bristol township on section.13. In the fall of 1905 he was appointed postmaster at Farlin. The following January he bought from E. M. Young a hardware and grocery store in that place but he has never lost his interest in agriculture. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of the best farming land in the county, which is operated by his nephew, Guy Fowler.

Mr. Snively was married in Rock Island, Illinois, in December, 1883, to Rebecca Fowler, who was born in Muscatine in 1866, where her father was a well known farmer. To this union five children have been born: Ellis, who is at home; Clyde, who died at the age of five; one who died in infancy; Ruth, seven years old; and Helen.

Mr. Snively is a devoted member of the Baptist church, where he is superintendent of the Sunday school and a much honored deacon. He is a member of both the Modern Woodmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both as a business man and as an agriculturist he is deeply respected for his straightforward methods and his honorable dealings. The principles which he represents in his church are principles by which he has planned his life and no action of his is on any plane but that of the highest.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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