Biography of Stephen F Snowden, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 14 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Transcribed by Lisa Hamilton from 
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SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
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SNOWDEN - STEPHEN - F. - - - 1844 - Unk - Might be in Hughes Cemetery

Stephen F. Snowden was born in Gibson County, Tenn., in 1844. His father and
mother immigrated from North Carolina at an early day and when he was about two
years old the father died. At the age of ten years his mother moved to Memphis,
Tenn., where she still resides. Stephen's first work in Memphis was in a butcher
shop, where he remained about three years. He then went on the Mississippi River
as cabin boy, continuing for some time in this and other capacities, or, till
about 1863, when he entered the employ of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad as
brakesman. He remained at this business about one year. In 1864 Mr. Snowden
farmed and cut cord wood on Island Forty in the Mississippi River eighteen miles
above Memphis. In 1865-66-67 he was employed on a tug plying the Mississippi
River above and below Memphis. His last work on the water was acting as mate on
a steamer running up and down White and Black Rivers in 1868. On the second day
of March, 1869, he landed in St. Francis County, Ark., where he still resides.
He has been occupied in farming since his arrival and now owns 250 acres of
land, seventy acres of which are in a high state of cultivation. W. Snowden's
father dying when he was quite young and leaving his mother in indigent
circumstances caused him to be raised without any education. Consequently he had
to depend on mother wit alone, but to his credit be it said he is in better
circumstances than many who have had the advantage of a good schooling. Mr.
Snowden was married in 1871 to Miss Temperance M. Claiborn, daughter of Thomas
and Laura A. Claiborn. To Mr. and Mrs. Snowden have been born four children:
Johnie (born May 18, 1873, and died October 6, 1875), Vital (born January 1,
1876), Delia (born August 14, 1878) and Mildred (born November 2, 1882). Mr.
Snowden is a Democrat of the first water, and with his wife belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a member in high standing of the
Knights of Honor and enjoys the respect of all who know him. He is a liberal
supporter of all worthy objects that indicate the growth and prosperity of the
country.