Cass County IL Archives News.....Dr John Francis Snyder 1830-1921 1921
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Deb Haines http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000719 October 24, 2011, 8:45 pm

Journal Of IL State Historical Society, Vol 14 1921
(By A. R. Lyles).

If an honest man is the noblest work of God, we do not hesitate to say that 
Doctor Snyder was entitled to that appellation. For we who knew him best, were 
cognizant that honesty was his watchword. Strictly honest in all his relations 
to his fellow men, and not afraid to criticize the man whom he knew to be 
dishonest.

However we would not wish to leave the impression that honesty was his only 
commendable attribute, for he had many others. Had he not been kind hearted 
and sympathetic, he could never have made the success he did as a physician. 
He was all in all a man, possessing an intellect that was both broad and deep 
(in fact the very Mississippi of minds) capable of grasping great things, and 
not only of grasping them, but also of retaining them, and then of imparting 
knowledge to others in a most fascinating way. He did not have a college 
degree, although he would have had, but the college he was attending had to 
suspend for lack of funds. Yet he was a graduate from the university of hard 
study and work. Because of this he had a mind well stored with valuable 
knowledge, not only along one line, but a number of lines.

He has many times told me that Geology would have been his favorite pursuit, 
if he had only had the time and money. As it was, he was a geologist of no 
mean ability, and I feel that if time and money had been at his command, we 
would have a better knowledge of geology to day than we now have. While the 
profession of medicine was his business, and he did not neglect that, he had 
hobbies, and one of his hobbies was that of Geology. Another hobby in which he 
became quite proficient was that of American Anthropology and Archeology. When 
he had any spare time at all, it was used in study and investigation. He was 
for many years a valued contributor to the Smithsonian Institute, and this 
institution was one in which he took great interest.

The study of American anthropology and archeology was to him a most 
fascinating one, and much of his spare time was devoted to the study and 
collection of Indian antiquities. He, at one time, had in his possession one 
of the most valuable collections of Indian antiquities that had ever been 
brought together in the state of Illinois. He offered to present this 
collection to the state, provided a fire proof building would be furnished in 
which to shelter the collection. Nothing was done, and the state lost a most 
valuable archeological collection.

In addition to his love for the study of geology and the American Indian, I do 
not hesitate to say that few men have known more of the early history of 
Illinois than did Doctor Snyder. Even when he was most busily engaged in the 
practice of medicine, he never lost an opportunity to gather all the 
historical data that he could get together. Much of this data has never yet 
been published. I have read his biographical manuscripts of early Cass County 
Doctors, which include all Cass county doctors up till 1861. Many of these 
sketches read like a romance, and with these sketches is interwoven much of 
the early history of Illinois. He seemed to know all about every public man 
who had even gained any prominence in the state of Illinois, and many of the 
earlier ones he knew personally. He seemed to remember every thing he had ever 
heard of any public man, for he had a wonderfully retentive memory. Yet he 
kept many notes of events, both of those which had transpired during his 
lifetime and also of those which were handed down to him. He was a versatile 
writer, but did not hesitate to express his opinion as he saw it. No 
favoritism was shown. To write the truth and nothing but the truth was his 
object. Few men have been as familiar with the early history of Illinois as 
was Doctor Snyder.

It was largely through his efforts that the Illinois State Historical Society 
was organized. He might have been the first president, but saw what was coming 
and placed in nomination another man, and then immediately made a motion that 
he should be elected by acclamation. The society then made him vice president, 
and at the next election made him president. He furnished the society much 
valuable material for publication, and was a most loyal and ardent supporter 
of the society till the time of his death. He was also an honorary member of 
the Missouri State Historical Society, and was held in high esteem by the 
members of this society because of his interest in the early history of 
Missouri. He was a man who, even up till the time of his death, kept well 
posted on all passing events the world over, and I feel sure that he might 
have been a very successful writer of history, because of his wonderfully 
retentive memory, his versatility as a writer, and his intense love for the 
subject.

Doctor Snyder was a physician of more than usual ability, and the greater part 
of his life was devoted to the relief of suffering humanity. While he was 
successful as a physician, and was always ready to respond to the call of 
those who needed his professional service, and while he was always interested 
in the welfare of his patients to the extent that he gave them his very best 
attention, he was not in love with the profession of medicine. He has many 
times told me that the profession of medicine was obnoxious to him. I can 
easily see why he so regarded it. He came to Virginia more than fifty years 
ago. The country was thinly settled. His work was mostly country work, and 
extended many miles in each direction. Many times the roads were almost 
impassable, for this was at a time when good roads were hardly thought of much 
less cared for.

The method of travel was mostly horseback. Sometimes in a one horse cart, and 
often on foot. He has frequently told me that he often traveled all day 
through fields on foot, because he could make better time than by riding a 
horse over roads that were two or three feet deep in mud. When the weather and 
roads were at their worst, the demands for his service were greatest. This, he 
kept up for more than thirty-five years, with the exception of one term in the 
state legislature. After the one term, he was thoroughly disgusted with 
politics, and returned to the practice of medicine. This was kept up through 
all kinds of weather, year after year, winter and summer, day or night, cold 
or hot, sunshine or rain, snow or mud, and sometimes over frozen roads that 
were so rough that a good horse could only make four to five miles an hour. 
And those who paid him least, demanded his service most. No wonder he became 
disgusted with the practice of medicine.

When he first came to Virginia, more than fifty years ago, he began to make 
inquiries of the pioneer physicians of Cass county. This he kept up till he 
learned all he could about the early Cass county doctors. Later, he wrote a 
biography of each of these physicians, which extended up to about the time of 
the Civil War. I have had the pleasure of reading all these manuscripts, in 
which much of the early history of Illinois is interwoven.

The year of his birth was 1830. The place was near the celebrated French 
village of Cahokia, which is just across the river from the southern part of 
St. Louis. When he was three years of age, he, with his parents, removed to 
Belleville, Illinois. Here his father bought a block of ground near the public 
square, where he erected what at that time was known as one of the finest 
residences in southern Illinois.

It was here that most of his boyhood was spent, at least till he was about 
fifteen years of age, when he was sent to McKendree college. He remained at 
old McKendree till the college was compelled to suspend for lack of funds. 
From here he went to a Catholic college in St. Louis, but before finishing 
here his mother told him he must now decide on his future course. He had 
already made the acquaintance of Doctor McDowell, a renowned physician of St. 
Louis, and had become a great admirer of Doctor McDowell. After some 
consideration, he decided to take up the study of medicine, and was soon in 
Doctor McDowell's college preparing himself for future usefulness. After he 
had spent two years of faithful study here, it was discovered that he was a 
subject of advanced tuberculosis. The doctors informed him, that to remain in 
this climate meant almost sure death. To go west might be equally futile, but 
might prove beneficial. He finally decided to go to California, which at this 
time was promising rich rewards to all who might come that way, because of the 
recently discovered rich goldfields. It was not difficult for him to find 
company, and in a short time he had purchased a mule for the sum of fifty 
dollars, and had joined a caravan and started out to take the advice of his 
teachers. I have heard him relate his experience while crossing the plains and 
Rocky mountains, while on his way to the land of gold. It was full of rich 
reminiscences which I wish he might have put in writing. Before he had 
succeeded in crossing the plains, he in some way was lost from the rest of his 
companions, and was compelled to proceed the rest of the way in company with 
his mule only. He and his mule finally reached California, and there he sold 
the animal for the sum of three hundred dollars. But long before he reached 
California he had regained his good health and was ready to battle with the 
world.

After he had been in California for a little more than two years, he decided 
to return to his native state by way of Cape Horn and New York. He went to San 
Francisco and engaged passage on a sailing vessel which was to start soon. On 
the day the vessel sailed, and while he was on his way to the wharf, he met a 
friend he had not seen for years. Thinking he had plenty of time, they 
returned to the hotel for a little while to talk over old times. The time 
passed more rapidly than they were aware, and when he started for his vessel, 
he got down just in time to sec it riding out majestically over the waves. 
That sailing vessel was never again heard from, and he later secured passage 
to New York by way of Panama. He decided now to finish his medical course, so 
went to Philadelphia, where he entered Jefferson medical college where he 
later received his degree in medicine. After finishing at Jefferson, he 
decided it would be interesting if he could pass a medical examination for the 
position of surgeon in the United States Army. Much to his surprise, he 
received the appointment, and was sent to Jefferson Barracks where he only 
remained for a short time, and then was transferred to southern Texas, and 
from there to the Black Hills of Dakota. While on the way to Black Hills, they 
stopped and camped on the ground where Denver now stands. It was at that time 
a bare prairie, and inhabited by coyotes and buffalo.

He soon began to grow tired of the routine of army life, so he put in his 
resignation and decided to go to work. He then went to Bolivar, Missouri, 
where he became engaged in the practice of medicine and raising a family, for 
it was here that he was married. He continued in the practice of medicine in 
Bolivar till the beginning of the civil war, when his patriotism overcame his 
desire to heal the sick. He joined the Confederate army under General Price, 
and received the appointment as Colonel.

He was in a number of engagements, and while he did not receive an appointment 
as surgeon, was always ready to assist in taking care of the wounded after the 
battle. At the close of the war, he moved with his family to Virginia, 
Illinois, where he spent the rest of his life. His life span was a little more 
than ninety-one years, and he retained his mental vigor through out his life. 
A more remarkable man in many ways, it has never been my good fortune to meet, 
and I have had the pleasure of many interesting conversations with him. We 
could not always agree along some lines, but we could agree to be good 
friends. "We could neither agree in religion or politics, but I wish to say 
that he did have a most exalted opinion of the Supreme Architect of the 
Universe. The God who doeth great things past finding out. The God who made 
his unchangable laws. The God who could hang the earth upon nothing and 
stretch the north over the empty place. These are parts of his ways, but how 
little a portion is heard of him. The thunder of his power, who can 
understand"? This would about express his idea of God, although his 
theological views might differ from those of the majority of people. His every 
act of life, from a public standpoint was evidence of his honesty of purpose. 
He was a man whom the lust of office could not kill, nor the spoils of office 
buy. A man with a strong will and a ready hand. In all, a man well worthy of 
imitation.

BELLEVILLE NEWS-DEMOCRAT PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOCTOR J. F. SNYDER.

The Belleville News-Democrat of Monday, May 2, 1921, contained the following 
editorial on the life and death of Dr. J. F. Snyder.

John Francis Snyder, M. D.

On last Saturday there died at his home in Virginia, Ill., Dr. John Francis 
Snyder. Thousands and thousands of people in this state and many hundreds of 
thousands of them in this country would never have learned that there is a 
city by that name in our state, except for the fact that Dr. Snyder lived his 
life and did his work there.

When he closed his eyes in the long and final sleep of death, there passed 
into oblivion a store-house on the facts and traditions and romances of 
Illinois history, greater and richer than the shelves and tomes of all the 
libraries in our state now contain.

He was a wonderful character, robust, able, courageous, original, versatile, 
brilliant. He was one of the really big men of Illinois, big physically, big 
emotionally and big intellectually. He was a pioneer and a frontiersman, a 
digger and a delver, a scout and an explorer in history and in science and in 
literature.

When a man like that dies, the state and society suffers a loss that can never 
be replaced. He wrote the life of Adam W. Snyder, a wonderful genius, one of 
the many great men whom the city of Belleville has given to the state and to 
the country. He died in the middle and in the heat of a campaign for governor 
in which the nomination was equivalent to the election, and Adam W. Snyder was 
the nominee.

We hold in our hand an autograph copy of Dr. Snyder's fine book on Adam W. 
Snyder, (who was his father,) which is really the best and most entertaining 
history of Illinois ever written. It is a masterpiece of good English 
throughout and his chapter on Gov. John Reynolds is as clever a piece of 
character analysis as is to be found in all literature.

We commend this book to the perusal of every intelligent Illinoisan. Dr. 
Snyder was a truly civilized and enlightened man. All knowledge was to him an 
open book and seemed to come to him by intuition and absorption. He was above 
the clouds of prejudice and free from superstition as Thomas Jefferson, 
Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Paine.

He was broad as the prairies and the seas and lived in the sunshine of 
conviction, liberality and absolute fearlessness. He was great in his 
profession, but greater still as a citizen and as a man. He was an ornament 
and a credit to his state, and really and truly a benefactor of the human race.
When he joined the silent caravan there left us forever and never to return 
from the long journey what in our estimation was, taking it all in all, the 
typical man and first citizen of Illinois.

Dr. John Francis Snyder deserves a monument in front of the State House at 
Springfield and not merely a tablet but a window in the Hall of Fame.


Additional Comments:
Source: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Published Quarterly 
by the Illinois State Historical Society, Springfield, Illinois. Vol. 14 April-
July, 1921 No. 1-2.

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