Untitled From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 702-703

W. R. SNOWDEN. Prominent among the business men of Platteville, Grant county, is numbered the subject of this review. No one in the vicinity is better known, for here almost his entire life has been passed, and all his interests from boyhood have been closely associated with those of the locality. In his special line of business he has met with excellent success, and by the energy and zeal which he has manifested has won the confidence and esteem of the public.

Mr. SNOWDEN was born in New York City in 1845, and is of English descent. His father, Randolph SNOWDEN, was born in England Jan. 5, 1820, and in 1828 came to the United States with his parents, Randolph and Emaline SNOWDEN, locating in New York City, where the grandfather followed the machinist's trade, though in England he had engaged in weaving. Both he and his wife died in New York. In their family were five children, namely: Randolph, Jr.; Edward, who died in New York; George, a resident of Jersey City; John W., who died in that city; and Emaline, who died in New York.

Randolph SNOWDEN, Jr., was reared in New York City from the age of eight years and in Paterson, N.J., he learned the machinist's trade. On coming to Platteville, Wis., in 1849, he built a foundry, the first west of Chicago, which he and his brother George owned and operated together for some time, but later the latter sold his interest to Randolph and went to California, remaining there two years. He then returned to Platteville, where he followed farming for some time, but is now a resident of Jersey City, N.J. Randolph SNOWDEN continued in active business in Platteville for many years, and was one of the leading men of the place. In New York he married Miss Elizabeth J. PRICE, a native of that city, and to them were born three sons and one daughter, namely: W. R.; Edward H., who went West; Robert L., a resident of Milwaukee; and Mary E., Mrs. POLLOCK of San Francisco, Cal. The father died in Platteville Jan. 13, 1883, the mother Feb. 5, 1877.

At the age of four years W. R. SNOWDEN was brought by his parents to Platteville, and in its public schools he obtained his education. After reaching manhood he engaged in general farming and stock raising for ten years, and since that time has devoted his attention to fruit farming and dairying, in which business he has met with marked success, being energetic, progressive and enterprising. He owns a fine fruit farm adjoining Platteville. Mr. SNOWDEN was interested in the building of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern railroads into Platteville, and has been actively identified with all enterprises which have for their object the upbuilding and development of his adopted town and county. He is superintendent of the Platteville Canning Co., whose plant was built in 1893.

At Platteville, in 1870, Mr. SNOWDEN wedded Miss Mary E. BONDURANT, a native of Hazel Green, Grant county, and a daughter of Edward and Henrietta BONDURANT, natives of Kentucky. On coming to Grant county, in 1833, her father was unmarried, and here he was married in 1842. His wife died in 1895, but he is still living, and now makes his home in Platteville. By occupation he was a miner and farmer. His children were Mary E., Mrs. SNOWDEN; Julia, Mrs. SHRIGLEY, of Platteville; Jefferson, also of that place; and Sarah, Mrs. BERRY, who died Oct. 1, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. SNOWDEN have six children: George B., proprietor of the Platteville Laundry; Anna L., at home; Frederick, who is a partner of his brother in the laundry business; and Nellie E., William J. and Bessie, all at home.

During the Civil war Mr. SNOWDEN enlisted at Platteville in company K, 47th Wis. V.I., for one year, and was mustered into the United States service at Madison, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Tennessee. He did garrison duty at Tullahoma and Nashville, and received an honorable discharge at Madison in September, 1865. He is now a prominent member of W. T. Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R., in which he is now filling the office of senior vice-commander, and also belongs to Melody Lodge, No. 2, F. & A.M.; Washington Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M.; and Miriam Chapter, No. 15, O.E.S. Religiously both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is identified with the Republican party. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in business and social circles, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man, he is recognized as a valuable citizen of the community.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck