U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Snider, Millard F. (1860-1955) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 654-662 MILLARD F. SNIDER, an attorney-at-law of Clarksburg, West Virginia, has for some years past been located at the above-mentioned place, practicing his profession in the Circuit Court of Harrison County, in the courts of adjoining counties, in the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and also in the Supreme Court of the United States. The high standard of the Harrison County bar has long been recognized by the lawyers and courts of Old Virginia, and also of West Virginia since the formation of the State. Many able lawyers have earned a just reputation of eminence and legal fitness for the Harrison County bar, a member of whom have long since appeared before the judge of the great court, from whose decision there is no appeal; and their places have been filled by younger men, among whom is the subject of this sketch, who are striving to keep to its high standard the reputation that the Harrison County bar has won and to improve it, rather than to allow it to deteriorate. Mr. Snider was born on Hunter's Fork, in Doddridge County, Virginia, now West Virginia. September 24, 1860, and is a son of Jehu and Virginia (Apsy) Snider. His father, Jehu Snider, was a son of Jacob and Nancy (Childers) Snider, and was born September 29, 1832, at the mouth of Brushy Fork, of Meat House Fork, in what was then Harrison County, but which has since been cut off and is now in Doddridge County. Jacob Snider, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at Bridgeport, Harrison County, June 6, 1804. He lived in Clarksburg while a young man and there married his first wife, Nancy Childers, of Milford, Harrison County. He then moved to the western portion of what was then Harrison County, and lived upon a farm at the mouth of Brushy Fork for a short time, and then purchased a farm adjoining, just above on Meat House Fork, where he lived the balance of his life, dying August 12, 1883. Jacob Snider was a son of John Snider, a native of Fauquier County, Virginia, who, when a young man, was an early pioneer of Western Virginia, settling at Bridgeport, Harrison County, at a very early date. He afterward moved to Sycamore, in the same county, where he died at a ripe old age. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services in that conflict drew a pension until the time of his death. His ancestors were of German descent. Virginia F. Apsy, the mother of our subject, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, July 30, 1837. Her parents were George Apsy, born August 20, 1805, died about 1839, and Mary (Swan) Apsy, born January 19, 1814, died January 9, 1898. George Apsy died in Loudoun County, Virginia, when his daughter, Virginia E., was a mere child, and about 1840 her mother with a brother, Thomas Swan, came to Western Virginia, and resided on the Alleghany Mountains about seven years, keeping hotel, and then moved farther west and settled in Doddridge County. George Apsy was a native of England, and his wife was a Virginian. Jehu Snider, our subject's father, in early life learned the plasterer's trade, but later devoted himself to farming. He was married when 21 years of age, and he and his wife are both still living and reside at Salem, Harrison County. He has been a lifelong Democrat. During the days of the Rebellion, he was an ardent Union man, did a great deal toward preventing the western part of Virginia from seceding, and later volunteered in the Union Army, as a member of Company A, 14th Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., from which he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He now draws a pension from the United States government. Millard F. Snider is one of a family of 13 children, 11 of whom are living, viz.: Martin V., who married Carrie McKinley, and resides at Salem; Susan A., who married John A. Reeder, and resides at Clarksburg; Charles L., who married Rulina Sperry, and resides at New Milton; Millard F., subject of this sketch; Amy M., who resides at Salem; Delia F., who married Robert Littleman, and resides at Salem: Laura Ellen, who married Sheridan Stockdale, and resides at Stringtown; Hattie L., who married Clete Randolph, and resides at Salem; Okey S., Fannie Bell, and Oliver H., who are single and live with their father, in Salem; and two who are deceased, — Minerva J., who married Joseph Gray, and Mary Frances. At the time of the birth of our subject, his parents resided on a rented farm on Hunter's Fork, in Doddridge County, and until he was eight years old they lived upon rented property there and elsewhere. In 1868, his father bought a farm on Brushy Fork, in Doddridge County, having but a small amount to pay down and going largely into debt for the residue. The farm was mostly in the woods and it was only after a long and hard struggle that it was cleared, paid for and brought into a good state of cultivation. The farm is still owned by his father, who lately sold the coal, and still retains the residue of the land. It was by hard work from daylight until dark on this undeveloped land, that young Snider had instilled into him the principle, that best results are derived from diligent application and honest toil. He inherited a strong physique, a healthy body and a robust constitution which laid the foundation for physical and mental labor, and still serve him in his chosen profession. When a small lad he determined to obtain a good education, and early in life applied himself closely to his books, in school and out, thereby outstripping his brothers and sisters and all the neighbor boys in learning, and at one time almost determined to leave home in order to have a better opportunity to secure an education; but on account of his father's being in need of help at that time he decided to remain. Although he was somewhat handicapped by the inefficiency of the schools, the public school system being at that time in its infancy, yet nothing deterred him, and by close attendance at school during the short terms, when he was not required at home to assist in gathering the crops in the fall, or in preparing for the next year's planting by assisting in clearing away the heavy forest in the spring, and by devoting himself to his books whenever he had spare time in the summer, by the time he had reached the age of 20 he had acquired sufficient education to secure a certificate to teach school. At that age he began his career as a teacher, which he followed for about six years. He taught his first school on Tom's Fork, at what was then called the Lowther school, which was about two miles distance from his father's home, and across a large hill. He boarded at home, built the fires at the school house, kept it clean and walked across this mountain night and morning, feeding 12 head of cattle on his way to and from school. The next year he taught on the South Fork of Hughes River, at what was then known as the Stout school. Both of these terms were taught on a No. 2 certificate. He then went to Harrison County, obtained a No. 1 certificate and taught two terms on the Turtle Tree Fork of Ten Mile Creek, at what was known as the Meadow Valley school; he then secured the principalship of the Mount Clare graded school and taught that school two years, which closed his career as teacher. In the meantime he had attended a select school, and the Fairmont Normal School. He was in the graduating class of the Normal School for the next year had he returned, but a change in a part of the faculty of that school caused him to withdraw from there, and, after having read law a while with Hon. John Bassel, of Clarksburg, he went to the State University at Morgantown, at which school he took part of the classical course and the full law course, graduating in 1887. Mr. Snider was in debt and about out of money when he left school, and in order to get a small amount ahead before locating, he traveled as a book agent for a few months and then engaged in the practice of the law at West Union in Doddridge County, in October, 1887, and was admitted to practice on his diploma from the University at the November term following. Contrary to the general experience of young attorneys, he had a paying practice from the start; was soon enabled to provide for expenses, pay off the debt incurred while going to school, and start the foundation for a good law library. Among his friends, whom he remembers very kindly in his early struggles, are W. Brent Maxwell, who loaned him money to go to school and has since been his client and faithful friend; Dr. Brooke, of the University, who went upon his bond when he went out to sell books; Henry Ash, who assisted him with a free office and has ever since been his client; and John Bassel, with whom he read law and who has always been ready to willingly assist him in counsel and advice. After practicing at West Union for several years, he began to realize that the best practitioners at that place, himself included, were not receiving from their practice what he thought should be in store for a good lawyer, the opportunities at that place being too limited. He realized that if he should get the best practice that was to be had at West Union it would not be all that he desired. In the course of his practice in the State and United States courts he had met and successfully contested with lawyers who were considered the best in the State, and, having met with a number of the oil men and being counsel for some of the oil companies, he determined to seek a broader field where he would have better opportunities, if he were able, to measure swords, as it were, with great lawyers, as he believed with hard study he would be able to do, and to become what he had always desired to be, a good lawyer with a lucrative practice. In looking over the West Virginia field, he selected Clarksburg as the coming commercial center of the State, and in the spring of 1898 he commenced his preparations to move to that city. He sold his home in West Union to Lewis Maxwell, one of the wealthiest citizens of Doddridge County, who now lives in the house that Mr. Snider built, and commenced the erection of his residence at Clarksburg in May, and in June removed his office, although his family did not move until fall. His expectations were more than realized; when he located at Clarksburg he found new clients ready to employ him. Among them was his friend and schoolmate, C. Sprigg Sands, cashier of the Traders' National Bank, who at once induced the bank officials to employ him as their counsel, and was instrumental in many ways, until removed by death, in assisting our subject in his new field, and was ever his faithful friend. He was also employed by several other corporations and wealthy citizens, and is still retained as their counsel. He now has a nice practice. His clients are mostly well-to-do citizens, some of them wealthy, and numerous corporations. He devotes himself almost exclusively to chancery and civil practice, corporation law sharing largely therein; but he has also been engaged in a few important criminal cases. He not only has an extensive practice in the Circuit courts, but has been counsel in no less than 17 cases in the Supreme Court of Appeals, 16 of which have been decided, and of these his clients gained 12 and lost four. One of the cases that was gained in the Supreme Court of the State was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States, and after briefs were filed was dismissed by the plaintiff in error, without having the case heard and decided. Finding that it was not desirable to live alone, on October 4, 1892, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Stuart, a daughter of the late Judge Chapman J. Stuart, who was a very able and prominent lawyer of Doddridge County. Their marriage has been blessed with one child. Virginia Ann, a bright and charming little girl now nine years old. Their home is situated on the north side of East Main street, on what is known as "Quality Hill," the most desirable residence section in the city. Although not so costly as some, they have one among the most beautiful places in the city. Mr. Snider is simple in his habits, and admires plain and unpretentious people and has an especially high regard for people who are willing to do hard and honest work. He has often said that a man who is willing to toil for honest remuneration day in and day out for weeks and years is not a bad kind of a man, no matter what his social position may be. He does not use tobacco in any form, nor spirituous liquors except for medicinal purposes. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, the Young Men's Christian Association and the West Virginia Bar Association, and has always been a regular attendant at Sunday-school. He has always had great love and admiration for his father and mother, and no later than last fall he wrote them the following letter: Clarksburg, W. Va., Nov. 23, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Jehu Snider, Salem, W. Va. My Dear Father and Mother: — At my age of 42, and after having come in contact with the busy affairs of life for a number of years, and having a family of my own, I can the more appreciate the great benefit bestowed upon me by having been reared by Christian parents, whose earnest and sincere desires were to live right, and to train their children to live honest and upright lives, and to love and fear God. And, although when I was a boy I thought you were too strict and sometimes erred in keeping your children too close, I now see that if you erred, and I cannot say that you did, it was through your devout wishes to impress upon us the great importance of doing right and the urgent necessity of our keeping away from frivolous pleasure in order that we might be better prepared to meet the responsibilities of life. Yon, perhaps, were not aware when, in your humble way, you were doing the best you could, by careful living and kind and earnest exhortations to your children, that you were having as much influence as you were in forming and shaping characters for eternity. I am very glad that I never heard a profane word pass from either of your lips. Nor a quarrel between you. If one of you when somewhat irritated would speak to the other, it was always met or turned off in a way that led to peace instead of strife. And I have often wondered how you got along with such a large number of children as well as you did. When you would talk to us children and correct us for doing wrong, it was in such an earnest and conscientious manner that it led me to believe that you were influenced by the power received through secret prayer and communication with God. I am now conscious of the fact, from your manner of training, that, with the great burden that was upon you in rearing such a large family of robust children, some of us youngsters inclined to be unruly, that you must have kept close to the cross of Christ. And many were the times when your prayers ascended the Hill of Zion for strength from the Lord in our behalf, all unknown to us, and while we were traveling in the paths of sin or straying in the fields of unrighteousness, plucking at the seeming flowers of sinful pleasure. And since I have been born of the Spirit, and for near 25 years have been striving to travel in the paths of right, and since you are now growing old, one passed and the other approaching three score years and ten, and you will soon be gathered home, before you cross the "river," my dear father and mother, 1 want to express to you my sincere gratitude for your noble Christian characters and exemplary lives and your loving care and influence over me in rearing me and bringing me to know the Savior, and the interest you have taken in me since, even to the extent that mother was afraid for me to follow my chosen profession for fear it might cause me to stray from the loving Savior; but I trust your prayers may follow me, and that her fears may be turned into joy, for God is able to take care of us in any calling if we trust it to him. And I hope that your lives may have made such impressions upon each of your children, that all who have not yet been may soon be saved, so that all your grandchildren may be blessed with Christian parents. Your days of usefulness may not yet be done; you may outlive several more of your children, and be able to still continue to do great good. You may not be great in one sense, but remember that no one is great unless he is good. To be good is great, no matter how humble. And I hope your lives may henceforth be the purest streams of Christian pleasure and when your labors are ended that your souls may be kissed into heaven by the Holy Spirit as the sun kisses away the morning dew. Come down and take Thanksgiving dinner with us. Let me know if you can come and I will meet you at the train. Your Son, Millard F. Snider. While a resident of West Union he served as a member of the School Board of the West Union Independent District, and was instrumental in having a graded course prepared for the school, and assisted in the erection of the new public school building at that place, and was a member of the building committee for the United Brethren Church at West Union, to which class he still belongs. In 1888 he was an unsuccessful candidate for prosecuting attorney in Doddridge County, on the Democratic ticket, and in 1900 was likewise an unsuccessful candidate of that party for the same office in Harrison County, but in both instances very greatly reduced the majority against him, being defeated at the latter place by 469 votes, while the regular Republican majority was over 1,200. In his office work and counsel Mr. Snider is very careful and painstaking, in order that he may make no mistakes that might cause his clients trouble or loss by unconsidered advice; and as an advocate he is resourceful, logical and forcible. One of his greatest desires has always been to be a good lawyer and to be able to assist the commercial world to safely transact its business and settle its difficulties. For the benefit of young men who are hesitating as to the profession they will follow, he would say that when he choose the profession of law he came to the conclusion that other men who had no more natural ability than he had succeeded; by proper application he could do so, and he was willing to make the effort. Financially Mr. Snider is not wealthy, but is approaching comfortable circumstances. He is a stockholder in three banks, a director in one, and is a director and secretary of the Wolf Summit Oil & Gas Company, and owns some building lots in the city of Clarksburg. His wife owns a valuable farm in Doddridge County, of 173 acres, which she inherited as a part of her father's estate, which Mr. Snider looks after and grazes. He is interested in the development of the State and the improvement of the city of Clarksburg. ------------------------------------------------------------------- DEATH CERTIFICATE, Harrison County WV, #13929 FULL-NAME: Millard Filmore Snider BIRTH-DATE: September 24, 1860 BIRTH-PLACE: Doddridge Co., W.Va. DEATH-DATE: November 22, 1955 AGE-AT-DEATH: 95 years DEATH-PLACE: Union Protestant Hosp., Clarksburg, Harrison Co., WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: 224 East Main St., Clarksburg, Harrison Co., WV MARITAL-STATUS: married OCCUPATION: attorney FATHER: Jehu Snider MOTHER: Virginia Apsy CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Pneumonia / Pulmonary congestion / Fracture of hip, left INFORMANT: J. R. Romine BURIAL: Bridgeport ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Harrison County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/harrison/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------