 |
 ILLIAM D. SNOWDEN is one of the rising young men of Pleasant Grove Township, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Illinois. He was born Aug. 20,1858,
and is the son of John F. and Maria L. (Glenn)
Snowden. The former was born Feb. 19, 1819, in
Overton County, Tenn. When he was about nineteen years of age his parents, James and Elizabeth
Snowden, left their Eastern home and moved to
Illinois, settling in Cumberland County. He had
been trained from boyhood in the details of farming, and Illinois was at that time giving promise of
her future success as an agricultural State. He
purchased land in Coles County, and in 1846 became a permanent citizen there. On the 3d of
September, 1848, he was married to Miss Maria
Glenn. Mrs. Snowden was born in Hardin County, Ky., Jan. 23, 1825, and is the daughter of James and Lydia (Harris) Glenn. After his marriage, Mr. Snowden carried on a successful farming business in Pleasant Grove Township, where he passed the remainder of his life. He began the world poor, and by his own exertions acquired a fine estate, containing over 400 acres of valuable land, all of which is under cultivation. But the hardships and privations of pioneer life wore upon his physical constitution, and his life went out in the prime of manhood, his death occurring May 10, 1865. Mr. Snowden was a man of great intelligence and force of character, and was interested in promoting the welfare of the community. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and had held at different periods several official positions in the township. He was a Baptist in religious belief, although not outwardly connected with the church. His widow was early left to take the place of both mother and father to her young family of seven children, and well has she fulfilled the trust. She is still living, and resides on the old homestead. The names of her children are as follows: James F., Alvin C.; Joseph W. died at the age of twenty-two years; prior to his death he was a telegraph operator. Harriet E. is the wife of Thornton Gilman; William D., Thomas J. and Anna. William D. Snowden received a thorough education at the common schools and graduated from Lee’s Academy, June 22, 1882. Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law, and is now a student with Stevens, Lee & Horton, of Peoria, Ill. He is a young man of promising abilities in his profession. Life with all its possibilities yet lies before him, and he is one for whom all may predict a bright and prosperous career. |
 |
| Return To Contents |
|