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ANDREW L. SNIDER. One of the enterprising and progressive merchants of Jackson county, in whose career the ambitious youth of today who seeks to attain success in the mercantile field may find much that is worthy of emulation, is Andrew L. Snider, of Sand Ridge, who has attained his present enviable position in the commercial world as a result of exercising an inherent business ability and always confining his business operations to legitimate lines. He is a native of Jackson county, and was born in Pomona township, August 17, 1861, a son of Andrew Jackson and Liza A. (Lattie) Snider.
Andrew Jackson Snider was born in the state of Pennsylvania, from whence he was taken by his parents when a youth to Ohio. He began his career as a railroad man, but subsequently drifted into the sawmill business, which he was following at the time of his death, which occurred when his son Andrew L. was about fifteen years of age. Mr. Snider's demise was caused by an accident in his mill, when he was in the prime of life, while his widow, a native of Pulaski county, Illinois, still survives him and makes her home at Sand Ridge. A public-spirited and patriotic citizen, at the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Snider enlisted in the Federal army and served throughout that struggle. He and his wife had eight children, Andrew L. being the third in order of birth, and three other children still survive, namely: Willis Sheridan, William Sherman and Erin.
Andrew L. Snider received his education in the public schools of Pomona township, but at the time of his father's death his mother brought the children to Sand Ridge, and Andrew. as one of the eldest, was compelled to give up his studies and go to work to assist in supporting the family. Choosing farming as a vocation, he was engaged therein until thirty years of age, at which time he saw an opportunity to establish himself in the mercantile business at Sand Ridge, and during the past twenty years he has built up a large trade. He does an extensive business in the surrounding agricultural community, and carries in his stock those articles which his own experience as a farmer taught him were most desirable. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Snider has always taken a keen interest in the success of his party in this section, and for twelve years he demonstrated his ability as a public official in the office of postmaster.
When he was twenty years of age Mr. Snider was married to Miss Annie Cauth, and they had one child, Martin, who is deceased. Mrs. Snider passing away soon after the birth of the child. In later years Mr. Snider was united in marriage with Miss Florence Stewart, daughter of A. J. Stewart, a veteran of the Civil war and prominent Jackson county citizen, and to this union there have been born three children:
Larkin, Wilton and Roland. Coming to Sand Ridge as a poor boy, without friends or influence here to aid him, Mr. Snider has forged his way to the front, and has become one of the substantial and influential men of his community. Foresight and industry have been the keys that have unlocked for him the door of success, and he has numerous warm personal friends who take a gratified interest in the prominence that has come to him.