JOHN S. SCHNEPP. - John S. Schnepp, one of the capable lawyers of the Springfield bar, was born upon the farm eight miles from the city in which he now makes his home, his natal day being August 26, 1867. He is a representative of one of the old families of this portion of the state. His parents, Diebold and Mary (Berry) Schnepp, were both natives of Germany and when quite young emigrated to the United States, being married in Logan county, Illinois. After their marriage they took up their abode at Atlanta, Logan county, where they remained for a short time and then came to Sangamon county, where the father purchased a small farm eight miles west of Springfield. Here he began his agricultural work and not only tilled the fields but also engaged in stock raising, and as his means accumulated he purchased land from time to time until he had four hundred acres, constituting a valuable farm. This he placed under a high state of cultivation and also erected many good buildings upon it. Upon the old homestead property he continued to reside until a short time prior to his death, when he removed to Christian county, Illinois, passing away there in 1884 when in his fifty-second year. His wife, surviving him for a short time, died in 1888. They were the parents of six children: Jacob, who is a boot and shoe merchant of Springfield; George, a retired farmer residing in this city; May C., the wife of Leonard Frey, of Springfield; Laura F., who married Henry New, a farmer residing in Christian county, Illinois; John S., and William H., who is employed as a salesman in his brother's shoe store.

John S. Schnepp was reared to farm life and like most farmer's boys attended the district schools. He remained under the parental roof until his eighteenth year, when he came to Springfield, and for a year was a student in a German school of this city. He next went to the Central Normal School, at Danville, Indiana, where he was graduated in the spring of 1877. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Sangamon county for a year, after which he entered the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois, and completing the law course in that institution he was graduated in June, 1890. Returning to Springfield he opened an office and has since been actively engaged in practice. With energy, close application and strong mentality he has secured a good practice and in addition to the trial of cases of a civil and criminal character he makes a specialty of the settlement and partition of estates.

On the 31st of December, 1890, Mr. Schnepp was married to Miss Hattie B. Callaway, of Taylorville, Illinois, a daughter of James and Amelia Callaway. She was born, reared and educated in the vicinity of Taylorville and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Schnepp affiliates with the Democratic party an strongly indorses its principles. He has traveled quite extensively throughout the United States and he and his family have spent several winters in California, where he owns valuable property. He is a well read man upon all topics of general interest, has a broad acquaintance with this country, and possessing an observing eye and retentive memory his mind is stored with many interesting facts concerning the United States and with interesting incidents of his travels. Genial and affable, he is an entertaining companion, popular in social circles.