Andrew J. Snelson of Texas County, Missouri

Andrew J. Snelson, sheriff of Texas County, Mo., is a native of Crawford County, Mo., and was born on the 10th of June, 1849, being a son of John C. and Ann (Craig) Snelson, natives, respectively, of Ohio and Alabama. The father became a resident of Crawford County, Mo., when about fourteen years of age, but received very poor early educational advantages. He worked at blacksmithing and farming for a number of years, and then opened a general mercantile establishment, which he managed with success until the breaking out of the late war, when he gave up this work to enlist in the Confederate army, and after two months’ service on detached duty, died of exposure, when in his fifty-third year. His father, Levi F. Snelson, was of Scotch descent, born in Ohio, and was a general mechanic by trade. The mother’s ancestors were originally from Ireland, but at an early period became residents of Alabama. To John C. and Ann (Craig) Snelson twelve children were born, ten being yet living: Joseph N., John C., Missouri C., Levi F., Andrew J., Ann A., Samuel H., Alice E., Eldora P. and Margaret C. Andrew J. Snelson was reared on a farm in Crawford County, Mo., and gained a good education by his own exertions, although his brothers, sisters and widowed mother were mainly dependent on him for a living. He remained with and cared for them until twenty-three years of age, then was married to Miss Martha Ann Stoy, a native of Pulaski County, and seven children have blessed their union: Charley O., Effie O., William C., Dersey A., Walter M., Archie J. and Thomas J. G. Mr. Snelson resided in Crawford County, Mo., until 1881, engaged in farming, then removed to Texas County, and was connected with the firm of Farris & Co., as a partner, for two years, and was then associated with J. W. Miers and A. L. Cochrane until 1888, at which time he was elected sheriff of Texas County on the Democratic ticket. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a Mason.