BIOGRAPHY: Joseph A. Sneed; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

3OSEPH A. SNEED, Postmaster of Newburgh, and one of the most successful
business men of the city, was born here June 7, 1839. The family of which he
is a member originated in England, and was first represented in the United
States by his grandfather, Joseph, a native of Yorkshire, who, some years
after his marriage, brought his family to America and settled in Newburgh.
Here, in addition to being engaged in real-estate speculations, he followed
the occupation of a drover and butcher until his death, at seventy years.
Three of his sons followed the business in which he had so successfully
engaged.

Born in Yorkshire, Edward Sneed, our subject's father, was there apprenticed
to the machinist's trade, and the greater portion of his life was de-voted to
that business. For years he was chief engineer in a cotton factory, but later
engaged in a provision business. After a time he entered the employ of a firm
in New York, by whom he was sent to Callao, Peru, for the purpose of putting
up a mill there. He died in South America, but his family were unable to
secure any particulars in regard to his death. His wife, Laura (Allen) Sneed,
was born in Putnam County, N. Y., and spent her last years in Brooklyn, where
she died at the home of her daughter.

The parental family consisted of three children who attained mature years, and
of these two survive, namely: Joseph A., the elder; and Charles, of Brooklyn,
N. Y. The former was educated inthe common schools of Newburgh, which he
at-tended until fourteen years of age, and afterward for seven years held a
clerkship with a dry-goods firm of this city. Immediately after the outbreak
of the Rebellion he enlisted, April 19, 1861, as a member of Company B, Third
New York Infantry, which was mustered into the service at Albany for two
years. He was sent South to Camp Hamilton, took part in the battle of Big
Bethel, then was in camp at Baltimore, Ft. McHenry and Suffolk. At the
expiration of his period of service he was mustered out as Orderly-Sergeant,
and re-turned to his home in Newburgh.

A few months later, in the fall of 1863, Mr. Sneed again enlisted in the
service of the Union, and assisted in raising a company, which became Company
C of the Ninety-eighth New York Infantry. He was made Second Lieutenant, in
which capacity he participated in the battles of Chapin's Farm, Cold Harbor
and Petersburg. In the fall of 1864, owing to failing health, he was obliged
to resign his commission, and was mustered out at Chesapeake Hospital,
Fortress Monroe.

On returning home, Mr. Sneed began in business for himself, opening a
meat-market, which he carried on four years, and then sold at a profit. For
three years afterward he was engaged in the live-stock business, and then went
to Illinois, where for one year he was located in Polo, baling and shipping
hay to New York. On coming back to Newburgh he started in the provision
business on Water Street, first alone, but afterward taking a partner, under
the firm name of Sneed & Mathews. Purchasing the lot and building at No. 139
Water Street, he remodeled the structure, which is now 20x80 feet in
dimensions, containing three stories and basement, and stocked with general
produce. The business is both wholesale and retail, and the profits are
remarkably encouraging to the owners of the house.

For five years Mr. Sneed was in the employ of the Armour Packing Company, of
Chicago, for whom he opened a business and built a house on Front Street, but
in January, 1892, he resigned from their employ in order to devote his entire
attention to his present enterprise. At the time of receiving his commission
as Postmaster of Newburgh, in January, 1892, the office was second-class, but
the business has increased to such an extent as to warrant the change to a
first-class office. Six clerks and thirteen carriers are employed, and the
work is carried on in a systematic, methodical manner, that gives the utmost
satisfaction to all concerned.

In addition to these interests, Mr. Sneed is a Director in the Highland
National Bank, and the Newburgh Building and Loan Association, having assisted
in the organization of the latter. His first ballot was cast for President
Lincoln at his first election, and from that time to this he has been a
steadfast supporter of the Republican party. For two years he was Alderman
from the Third Ward, and during the latter year, 1885, he was President of the
Board. His services in the interest of free schools have been important and
valuable, and for nine years he has been a mem-ber of the Board of Education.
In 1886 he was elected to the Board of Education on the free textbook issue,
and in the spring of 1891 was re-elected for four years. During his incumbency
on the Board of Education he has rendered conspicuous service to the schools,
and among the important resolutions that he introduced and fostered was that
which provided for the waving of the United States flag over the school
buildings every school day. He is an active member of the Teachers' Committee,
and was on the Building Committee when School No. 6 was erected. Socially he
is identified with Hudson River Lodge, F. & A. M., and Highland Chapter, R. A.
M., and is also actively connected with Ellis Post, G. A. R. He contributes
generously to religious projects, and especially to the support of the Union
Church, of which his wife is a member.

In Newburgh, in 1868, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sneed and Miss Christina
Blacklaw, whose father, James, was born in Scotland, emigrated thence to
Orange County, and for many years has been engaged in business in Newburgh.
Five children bless their union, namely: Joseph B., a graduate of the Newburgh
Academy, now book-keeper and cashier for the firm of Sneed & Mathews; Fred M.,
also a graduate of the academy, and at present a student in Columbia College,
where he is making a specialty of architecture; Anna J., a member of the Class
of '93 of the academy; and Robert B. and Charles W., who are students in the
academy.