Stanislaus County, California Biographies

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Stanislaus County, Biographies

THOMAS RICHARDSON, one of the prominent citizens of Stanislaus county, and an old-time resident as well, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, his parents being Robert and Catherine (Bullen) Richardson. The mother was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and there the father, a native of Virginia, went when a young man, and he was married there. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, being in Matson's command, Harrison' s army, and spiked some of the British guns at the battle of the Thames. When our subject, Thomas Richardson, was but three norths old the family removed to Pike county, Missouri, and eight years later to Pike county, Illinois, locating at Martinsburg about six miles from Pittsfield, where he grew to young manhood. He next went to Iowa, and was engaged for four years at the Government farm on the Des Moines river, where the Black Hawk Indian agency was. Including himself there were only three or four white people there, and all the rest were the savage Black Hawk Indians. He became well acquainted with the chiefs of that tribe, including the sons of the noted leader Black Hawk, one of the most celebrated of savage chieftains. From there he returned to Pike county, Illinois, and was married in 1815. In 1850 he he crossed the plains to California with an ox-team. Proceeding to the gold-diggings on the American river, he mined there about two weeks. In December, 1851, he went back East by water, returning to California in 1852, coming across the plains and being accompanied by his family. He was captain of the company both times. He located on the Stanislaus river, where he now lives, and where he has 700 acres of land, secured partly by the preemption and the homestead rights and partly by purchase. Here he has done much in the way of improvement, the buildings being very creditable, among them being a handsome and commodious residence erected in 1867. His land is of the best in California, and is devoted principally to farming, except about eighty acres which he leases to a man who is improving it with orchard trees, vines, etc. The whole place presents a handsome appearance to the eye of one accustomed to the blending of the beautiful and useful in nature. Besides his home ranch he has another ranch of 96 acres, a mile and one-half southeast of Oakdale, which he himself farms.
Mr. Richardson was married in Illinois, January 9, 1845, to Miss Lucinda Waggoner, a native of Tennessee. They have two children, viz: John J., a namesake of General Hardin; and Ephriam. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Oakdale Lodge, #275, F. & A.M., of which he is a Steward, and also of the Modesto Chapter, #49, R.A.M. Politically, he is a Democrat, taking an active interest as a citizen in political and public affairs, and has attended the party conventions as a delegate. He served one term as Justice of the Peace of Oakdale. Mr. Richardson is a man of highest integrity, and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. A [Memorial and Biographical History of Merced, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa Counties, (Calif.) The Lewis Publishing Co. Chicago, Ill. 1892, page 226.]

THOMAS RICHARDSON—Each community is judged by the character of its representative citizens, and its social, intellectual, and business standing is determined thereby. The sterling worth, commercial ability and enterprise of the leading men are mirrored forth in the public life of the town, and therefore the history of the people of prominence is the history of the community. No account of Oakdale would be complete without the life record of Thomas Richardson, a man whose public spirit is manifested in his many efforts to improve the conditions and promote the upbuilding of the town. He came to the state in 1850 and now resides on a large farm in Stanislaus county, three miles west of Oakdale.

Mr. Richardson was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 28th of September, 1818, and is of English, Scotch, and Irish descent, his ancestors being among the early settlers of Virginia and participating in the events which find mention in the annals of the Old Dominion. One of the representatives of the name also served in the war of the Revolution. Robert Richardson, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, removed to Kentucky and at the time of the war of 1812 entered his country's service under command of General William H. Harrison. He married Miss Catherine Bullen, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, a daughter of John Fallen, one of the heroes of the war for independence. They removed to Pike County, Missouri, and a number of their children were born there. In 1827 they took up their abode in Pike county, Illinois, becoming pioneer settlers of that locality, where they secured government land, the father developing thereon a good farm upon which he made his home until the time of his death in 1845. While in Missouri he held the office of tax collector. Both he and his wife were Baptists in religious faith and were upright, reliable and respected farming people. Mrs. Richardson passed away in the fifty-sixth year of her age. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom all reached mature years, but only two of the number are now living, the sister of our subject being Fammey, the wife of William Wagener, a resident of Pike county, Illinois,

Thomas Richardson, of this review, was eight years of age when with his parents he went to the Prairie state, and in the primitive log school-house of the neighborhood he pursued his studies through a short period each winter. At the time of early spring planting he took his place in the fields to assist in the cultivation of the farm and was employed with plowing, cultivating, and harvesting until after the crops were garnered in the autumn. His life was passed in the quiet routine of the farm until 1850, when the country became stirred by news of the gold discovery in California and he determined to make his way to the Eldorado of the West. Accordingly, he joined a company of ninety men that secured an outfit in Pike County and started in a train of twenty-nine wagons on the long and arduous journey across the plains. They were well supplied with provisions, and, as two physicians were of the party, were protected against prolonged illness. The journey was made by way of South Bear River, Green River, and Humboldt, and they were on the journey about six months, at the end of which period they arrived in Hangtown, now Placerville, September 18, 1850. Although many emigrant trains suffered greatly from cholera, only three of their party had died of this disease.

Mr. Richardson began his career as a placer miner with pan and rocker on the American River below Coloma. He met with a fair measure of success, taking out considerable gold, and followed mining until 1851, when he returned to his home by the water route in order to bring his family to California, and with them he journeyed across the plains, in 1852.

On the 9th of January, 1845, he married Miss Lucinda Jane Wagener, a native of Tennessee, and they had two children—John and Mary Jane—ere their removal to the Pacific Coast. Their daughter has since departed this life. The son is still living and cultivates a farm near his father. The year 1852 proved a very disastrous one to many emigrants, the cholera being very prevalent among those who journeyed across the plains, but the train with which the Richardsons traveled lost only one of their party, a woman. However, they saw many newly made graves along the route. Mr. Richardson had the honor of being the commander of the companies with which he traveled on both of these journeys across the plains.

When with his wife and little family, our subject arrived in California, he settled on one hundred and sixty acres of government land that are included within the boundaries of his present ranch. This region was then an unsettled country and there were many Indians in the locality, but he never had any trouble with them. He had brought with him from Illinois forty head of cattle and horses and here he engaged in stock-raising. Notwithstanding that he met with many reverses in business, he diligently prosecuted his labors until he became the owner of nine thousand acres of land and was numbered among the wealthiest men of Stanislaus County. This grand old pioneer is now living retired from active business in a large and commodious frame residence that stands on the extensive ranch which his enterprise and industry have secured to him. He leases his land and the rental therefrom supplies him with all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life.

After their arrival in California Mr. and Mrs. Richardson became the parents of a son, Ephraim, who is now residing in Oakdale. There are also eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife, who long shared with him the sorrows and joys of life, traveling by his side as a faithful companion and helpmeet on life»s journey for fifty-two years, was called to her final rest on the 19th of January, 1897, at the age of seventy-two years, four months and fifteen days. She was very devoted to her family, counting no sacrifice or labor too great that would promote the happiness or enhance the welfare of her husband or children. In return she received their deepest love and respect, and she also enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends.

For many years Mr. Richardson has been a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity and is now a representative of Oakdale Lodge, No. 275, F. & A. M. He also belongs to Modesto Lodge, No. 49, R. A. M. His political support has long been given to the Democracy and at one time he served as a justice of the peace, but has never sought or desired office. Throughout a long and active business career he has been known as a man of unquestioned integrity, his word being as good as his bond. His has been an active and useful career, in which determined purpose has enabled him to conquer all obstacles and advance steadily upon the path to success until he has reached the goal of prosperity. At the same time he has taken an active part in the work of developing the rich lands of California, and of reclaiming the waste stretches for the purposes of civilization. Such men therefore wrought for the prosperity and upbuilding of the communities which they represented. [Representative Citizens of Northern California, Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1901, Page 611]

THOMAS RICHARDSON—Whenever the real history of California is written, the student must have recourse to such lives as that of the late Thomas Richardson, the distinguished pioneer of Oakdale, who died in November, 1908, at the ripe old age of ninety years. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., on September 28, 1818, the son of Robert Richardson who had married Miss Catherine Bullen. That lady was also born in Bourbon County, and there she met and married young Mr. Richardson, who hailed from Virginia. He became a soldier in the War of 1812, where he fought with Matson's command, a part of Harrison's army, and spiked some of the British guns at the battle of the Thames. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richardson took their baby son Thomas and moved to Pike County, Mo., and eight years later they went on to Pike County, Ill., where they pitched their tent at Martinsburg, not far from Pittsfield, and there remained while Thomas grew to maturity.

When he was ready to push out into the world, Mr, Richardson went to Iowa, and for four years he worked on the Government farm along the Des Moines River, at the Black Hawk agency. There were then only three or four white people on the farm, and all the rest were savage Black Hawk Indians, and he got to know rather intimately the most noted chieftains, among whom was the leader, Black Hawk, in his day infamous for his cruelty. Leaving the farm, Mr. Richardson returned to Pike County, Ill., and in 1815 was married there. Five years later he set out for California across the great plains, traveling with an ox-team; and having reached the American River, he mined for a couple of weeks. In December, 1851, he set out for the East by the route of the water-ways, and the next year came back to California, once again crossing the prairies and bringing along his family. On this occasion, as well as on his previous trip, Mr. Richardson was captain of his company. He located on the Stanislaus River, and by 1862 he had 700 acres of land, which he improved in a very creditabLe manner. In 1867 he erected his residence; and being a sensible man, and one fond of domestic life, he made the house commodious as well as ornate. He laid out most of the ranch for general farming, reserving about eighty acres for an orchard to be leased to someone else. He also went in for a vineyard, and in that way he easily made of the ranch a veritable "show place." Besides this, he bought lands in the Lone Star section, where at one time he owned 7,000 acres. Unfortunately he had sold this land to Tulloch and took his note in payment. Tulloch failed and did not pay the note. About the same time Mr. Richardson had gone security for an $11,000 note for Coleman, the Stockton merchant. Mr. Coleman failed and Mr. Richardson had to pay the note; and so, with two losses, he lost the 7,000 acres of land. Mr. Richardson also owned 160 acres about one and one-half miles southeast of Oakdale, which he farmed. A man of wide experience and the strictest integrity, enjoying the esteem and confidence of all who knew him, Mr. Richardson, as a Democrat, was accorded the honor of a delegate to that party's conventions, and was called upon to serve a term as justice of the peace at Oakdale.

The marriage of Mr. Richardson, already referred to, occurred in Illinois on January 9, 1845, when he took for his bride Miss Lucinda Jane Wagoner, a native daughter of Tennessee. Two children were born of this union; the elder was John J., the younger, Ephriam. Mr. Richardson belonged to Oakdale Lodge No. 275, F. & A. M., in which he was steward, and to the Modesto Chapter No. 49, R. A. M. Besides rearing their own children, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson brought up the late Thomas Snedigar, who was orphaned in Illinois. He accompanied them to California, and with the blessing of their parentage, became a wealthy landowner and leader. [History of Stanislaus County, California With Biographical Sketches, By George H. Tinkham Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1921, Page 302]

EPHRIAM RICHARDSON—A worthy representative of an early settler of note, Ephriam Richardson is the only living child of the late Thomas Richardson, the well-known and highly-honored pioneer of Oakdale, who as an extensive farmer and stockman, being at one time the largest sheep owner in the county, was one of the most energetic, progressive and prosperous residents in the Oakdale sector. He was born in Kentucky and married in Pike County, Ill., to Miss Lucinda Wagoner, a native of Tennessee; and in 1850 he left his family back in Pike County, Ill., and crossed the plains to the Pacific. Two years later, he returned to Illinois, in order to bring out a drove of 100 cows; and these he brought to Langworth, in Stanislaus County, where he had a large farm. But bad luck overtook him, after all his plucky enterprise; the cows were grazing on the tall grass among the willows in the bottom-lands of the Stanislaus River when a flood, the result of sudden and heavy rains, swept down upon them, inundating the bottoms for from twenty-five to thirty feet, and all the cows save one were drowned. Mr. Richardson, not altogether discouraged, continued in stock raising, and only in 1878 devoted himself exclusively to grain farming. Mrs. Richardson died on January 9, 1897, aged seventy-two years, and Thomas Richardson passed away in November, 1908, being then ninety years old. They had six children,--three boys and three girls—among whom Ephriam was the fifth, and is now the only one of the family living, and one of the oldest white men born in Stanislaus County.

He was born at Langworth, on February 18, 1854, and attended the Langworth public school and the business college at San Jose, and in 1878 he was married to Miss Sarah Latus, a native of Utica, N.Y., and the daughter of George Latus, who was a blacksmith. She grew up to be a teacher in the Empire State, and came out to California in 1877. Four children blessed their union: Ursula is the wife of J. Alden Rydberg, a ranchman and cattle raiser of Oakdale. Alta married Will Threlfall, of Stockton. Bessie is Mrs. Benj. Rushing of La Grange. George Thomas resides at Stockton and works for the Holt Manufacturing Company. Mrs. Richardson died at Oakdale on November 12, 1920, in the seventy-fifth year of her age; an excellent woman whose sterling virtues were attested in the large funeral in her honor.

Mr. Richardson has been a hard worker in his day, first on his father's farm and then on his own land. After that, for twelve years he was employed by Hughes Bros., the general merchants in Oakdale; but he overworked and so broke down in health that he became seriously ill, and had to quit all strenous undertaking. In matters of national political import, Mr. Richardson follows the lead of the Republicans. [Page 452, History of Stanislaus County, California With Biographical Sketches, By George H. Tinkham, Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1921]

WILLIS SPENCER SNEDIGAR, M.D. A native son who became very efficient and prominent in his profession was the late Willis Spencer Snedigar who was born near Oakdale, Stanislaus County, on November 4, 1867. He was a son of Thomas Fielding Snedigar who came to California when a young man, crossing the plains with Thomas and Lucinda Richardson, the latter being Mr, Snedigar's aunt. He resided with them until he started for himself, when he married Miss California Dodson. For a time he followed teaming and freighting, and as soon as he had means he purchased land and also began farming. Acquiring more land, he quit teaming and bent all his energy to ranching in which he was very successful, becoming a large landowner and a successful financier. He was very literal and enterprising, being known for his progress and kind-heartedness. He and his wife passed away at their home, a highly esteemed pioneer couple.
Willis Spencer Snedigar, the oldest of their family, was educated in the public schools of his district and at Woodbridge College. Having chosen the profession of medicine, he entered Cooper Medical College, where he pursued the regular course and was duly graduated with the degree of M.D. First locating at Newman, he practised there for a short time; but desiring a larger field, he soon located in Stockton, where he became very successful as a practising physician and surgeon, continuing in his profession actively until his death, June 10, 1910. He was a member of the County, State, and American Medical Associations, and a member of Stockton Parlor, No. 7, Native Sons of the Golden West.
Dr. Snedigar was married at Woodbridge in 1890 to Miss Mary Ann Sollinger, a native daughter, born March 17, 1869, a daughter of J.A. and Barbara J. Sollinger, whose biography appears on another page in this history. Mary Ann was their only child and was reared on the ranch at Woodbridge. After completing the public school, she entered Woodbridge College where she was graduated. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar purchased a ranch adjoining the Sollinger place, which was improved to vineyard and is now the property of their daughter Beatrice, Mrs. C. G. Welch. Mrs. Snedigar was a woman of pleasant personality, her affability endearing her to all who knew her, and at her passing, August 26, 19th, she was mourned by her family and a wide circle of friends. She was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar were members of the United Brethren Church, and contributed liberally to its benevolences. [History of San Joaquin County, CAL, by George H. Tinkham, Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California ©1923, Page 720]

THOMAS F. SNEDIGAR

Thomas F. Snedigar was born in Pike County, Illinois. His parents, Jeptha and Mary Jane, lived with their family upon a farm in that State, and, as a matter of course, Thomas assisted while there; and the good habits he there formed have continued with him; for he still follows the occupation of his early life.
He and his parents left Illinois in March, 1852, for California with wagons—rather an uncomfortable method compared with railroad coaches—and were on their journey six months.
The trip was rather quiet, with the exception of considerable sickness. Midway upon the plains part of the company decided to separate and go to Oregon, instead of to the Golden State,
After a residence of two months near Stockton, Mr. Snedigar concluded to make his home in Stanislaus County, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Snedigar has a fine farm of nine-hundred and fifty acres, all in one tract. The land is adapted to raising wheat, the yield being about fifteen bushels per acre. He has all the necessary stock and implements for carrying on his extensile farming operations; having fourteen head of horses and mules, besides some fine horses, cattle, and hogs. The ranch is ten miles from Modesto, the county seat, only five miles from railroad, thirty miles from the San Joaquin River, two miles from school, and half mile from church.
Mr. Snedigar is a practical farmer in all respects, and anyone can see by reference to the fine comprehensive illustration of his property what energy and strong determination to succeed will do toward amassing a fine estate.
On the 24th of March, l864, Mr. Snedigar was married to Miss Emeline C. Dotson, a native of Missouri. Their union has been blessed by several children, only two of which—Willis S. and Ottie J.—are now living.
[Other accounts indicate that Thomas was orphaned at about age three and came to California with his maternal uncle, Thomas Richardson. Guardianship papers are located on our Pike County, IL website] HISTORY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY (WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS); [Page 173, Elliott & Moore, Publishers, 106 Leidesdorff Street, San Francisco, Calif., ©1881]

THOMAS F. SNEDIGAR—Thomas F. Snedigar is a prominent pioneer farmer of Stanislaus County, owning a large tract of land four miles west of the town of Oakdale. In the year which witnessed the arrival of so many of California's prominent pioneers—1852—this gentleman cast in his lot with the early settlers and through the period which has since elapsed he has been an important factor in the development and progress of the state.
Mr. Snedigar was born in Pike County, Illinois, December 25, 1840, and is of German lineage, his ancestors having been early settlers of Kentucky, in which state his father, Jeptha Snedigar, was born and reared. He removed to Pike County, Missouri, and afterward to Pike County, Illinois, where he married Miss Mary Jane Richardson, a sister of Thomas Richardson, one of California's prominent pioneers, whose history appears elsewhere in this work. The father of our subject died when the son was only two years of age, and he was reared by his uncle, Thomas Richardson, with whom he came to California in 1852, crossing the plains. He was then but twelve years of age and during much of the journey he walked, driving his uncle's loose stock. He enjoyed the free life very much, although the journey continued for six months. Buffaloes were killed on the plains and thus the party was provided with fresh meat. Mr. Snedigar has always looked back to that trip with pleasure. As a boy he had lived upon the farm, never going away from home except for visits in the neighborhood, and it was entirely new and pleasant experience. Until he was twenty-two years of age he resided with his uncle, assisting him in stock-raising. He then secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, and as his financial resources have been increased he has added to his property until he now owns sixteen hundred acres, on which he raises wheat, hay, and fruit. He has a good residence and farm buildings and is one of the prominent agriculturists in his section of the state. The wide fields of grain with their billowy harvests give promise of excellent financial return, and the extensive orchards stocked with fine varieties of fruits are also a source of income.
On the 24th of March, 1864, Mr. Snedigar married Miss Emeline C. Dotson, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of John Thomas Dotson, who with his family came to California in 1853. Mr. Snedigar has had twelve children, seven of them living, namely: W.S., a physician in Stockton, California; Otis J, who is operating a farm near his father's home; Dertha, now the wife of Clarence Petty, of Stockton; Olie F., who is a student in the State University; Marietta, Catherine and Thomas, who are at home. The mother died in February, 1897, and in July, 1898, Mr. Snedigar was again married, his second union being with Miss Hady C. Millark, a daughter of Julius and Tilla (Waler) Millark, both natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1881 and are farmers living in Henry County, Illinois. Mrs. Snedigar came to California in 1896. Their children are Charles Hanford and Lenard Llewellen.

Mr. Snedigar is a Republican, but the honors and emoluments of public office have had no attraction for him. He is an active and useful member of the United Brethren Church, serving as one of its trustees and as Superintendent of the Sunday-School. He gives his support to every measure and movement calculated to prove of public benefit along material, intellectual and moral lines. For forty-eight years he has been a resident of California and is widely and favorably known throughout the northern portion of the state. ["Representative Citizens of Northern California Standard Genealogical Publishing Company Chicago 1901, Page 611"]

From: History of Stanislaus County, California With Biographical Sketches, by George H. Tinkham; Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1921

[Section omitted which repeats above info]
On March 24, 1864, Mr. Snedigar was married to Miss Emeline C. Dotson, a native of Missouri, by whom he had twelve children. In July, 1898, Mr. Snedigar was married to Miss Clara H. Millark, a native of Germany who was brought to America by her parents, Julius and Matilda (Walters) Millark, and taken to Illinois. They became substantial farmer-folk and landowners, and when they died, the daughter, Clara, and a brother and sister came out to California in June, 1896. The second Mrs. Snedigar, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, became indeed a devoted mother to the children, three of whom survive, as follows: Ole is now probation officer and resides in Berkeley, in which city he graduated from the University of California. He married Miss Essie Bernstein of Berkeley, and they have one child, John. Mary is the wife of Ralph Betty, who is employed on a steam dredge at Sacramento; their one child is named Wayne. Thomas R., is in Napa, the president of an ignition company. One of the (now deceased) children by Mr. Snedigar's first union left an heir. His name was Willis, and he will be remembered pleasantly as Dr. Willis Snedigar, late of Stockton, who married Miss Maimie Sollinger of Lodi. She is also among the great silent majority, but her daughter, Beatrice, survives and is the wife of Clark Welch, a rancher at Lodi.

Mr. Snedigar died on February 4, 1919, and was buried in the Oakdale cemetery, in the community in which he had been once a leading man. He helped to organize the First National Bank at Oakdale, and served as one of its trustees until he died. He also helped to organize the First National Bank at Riverbank, and became a trustee of that. He and his first wife took an active part in the affairs of the United Brethren Church at Oakdale, and he contributed largely to the erection of the edifice, and served on its board of trustees until his death, since which time Mrs. Snedigar has been his successor on the board. Mrs. Clara H. Snedigar is one of the trustees of the Mission Home for Children of Modesto.
About 1914, Mr. Snedigar sold his fine ranch and the old home so familiar to many for several decades, and built his new residence upon the premises one and a half mile north of Modesto, where he was comfortably domiciled when he was called upon to bid adieu to the scenes of the world. His life was just the kind that was needed in the new commonwealth of California; and it is inspiring to know that much of the good work started by him will be faithfully continued by his devoted wife.

MRS. CLARA H. SNEDIGAR—A noble Christian woman, worthy of everybody's confidence and respect is Mrs. Clara H. Snedigar, the widow of the late Thomas Fielding Snedigar, who continues to reside on the old home place about one and a half miles north of Modesto. She was born in Germany, the daughter of Julius and Matilda (Walters) Millark , and her parents brought her and the other children, in 1882, to Henry County, Ill., she being then just three years old. They were farmers and came to own one large farm in Henry County, and a home at Colona, where the mother died in May, 1920, aged seventy-five years, outliving her husband, who had also died in Illinois, at the age of seventy-two. There were thirteen children in the family, and six are now living.
In June, 1896, Mrs. Snedigar came out to California with a brother and sister; and in July, 1898, she was married to Thomas F. Snedigar, whose life story is given elsewhere in this volume. He was born in Pike County, Ill., in 1840, lost his parents when very young, and in 1852, with his foster parents came across the great plains to California. Fate brought him to Stockton and then to Stanislaus County; and here he engaged in farming and stock raising, and came to have nearly 1,000 acres.
In 1864 Mr. Snedigar was married to Miss Emeline C. Dotson, a native of Missouri, who became the mother of twelve children, three of whom are still living. These three the present Mrs. Snedigar brought up with loving care, and she became the mother of six children of her own. Charlie, the eldest, married Miss Alma Seablom, and is a rancher residing in Turlock; Louis is now eighteen years old; Leonard L. was drowned when three years old; Robert R. and Iva come next; and Irvin V. is four years old. Mrs. Snedigar is the administratrix of the estate, and manages everything with commendable fidelity and admirable judgment. She has retained eight acres of the ranch for a home place, and resides in the handsome residence built by her husband and herself. She is a prominent member of the United Brethren Church at Oakdale, in which congregation, its life and its varied and far-reaching good works, she and her lamented husband long took an active and much appreciated part. [From: History of Stanislaus County, California With Biographical Sketches, by George H. Tinkham; Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1921, page 319]

OLIE FIELDING SNEDIGAR
Olie Fielding Snedigar, son of Emeline California Dotson and Thomas Fielding Snedigar, was born Dec. 30, 1882, near Oakdale, California. He received his early schooling at Langworth, went through Oakdale High School, and was gradated from the University of California in 1906, with a major in law. An outstanding athlete, he played football in 1903, 1904, and 1905, and was a track star in I904, 1905, and 1906, serving as team captain during his last years. He was admitted to the State Bar in 1906, and for two years held the elective post of Graduate Manager of the Associated Students.
From 1903 to 1909 he practiced law in Oakland, and in the latter year he was appointed Chief Assistant Probation Officer in Alameda County, California. When Christopher Ruess, who had headed the department resigned in 1916, Mr. Snedigar became Chief Probation Officer. He held that position for 36 years.
At the time he entered County service there were four members of the Probation Office Staff. When he retired on December 31, 1952, the Department, which included the Juvenile and Adult Divisions, Juvenile Hall, and the Alameda County Boys' Camp had 249 employees. He was known affectionately to his staff as "the Chief".
His career was closely linked with the California Probation and Parole Association, which he helped found shortly after joining the Alameda Probation Department. In 1919 he was elected its president. After a reorganization in 1939, he again became president. He served for a third term in 1947, and throughout his long professional career he assumed an active role in its program to increase and improve child welfare services, to raise qualifications for those seeking employment in the correctional field, and to liberalize legislation pertaining to minors.
Many well-deserved honors were paid Mr. Snedigar, among them having the Alameda County's shelter care facility for dependent children named Snedigar Cottage for him.
During World War I, he enlisted in the Y.M.C.A. for service in France. He was then 35 years old and had some hesitation as to his fitness. An old clipping from that time recounts that he tested himself by going to Golden Gate Park and making a running broad jump which measured 221/2 feet. The clipping went on to tell again of the athletic record he had established as a student at U. C. It said that besides his accomplishments on the football field, he was holder of the American Championship of the javelin throw, holder of the Coast record for the broad jump; joint-holder of the Coast 100-yard dash record.
The article continued; "In 1914 he was the winner of the all-round championship for the Olympic Club. On April 6, 1917, he entered the field and track meet representing the Olympic Club against Stanford and won the running broad jump and the javelin throw; placed second in the discus throw; and third in the shotput throw."
Olie Fielding Snedigar died January 15, 1954, at his home in Oakland, California.

WILLIAM MARION SNEDIGAR—A well-known pioneer family of Stanislaus County is that of the Snedigars, now represented by William M. Snedigar, who has been a resident here from the early days. Born at Martinsburg, Pike County, Ill., on Jan. 8, 1863, he was the son of Robert R. and Harriet B. (Worth) Snedigar, the father a native of Pike County, Ill., and the mother of Knoxville, Tenn. When he was but a year and two months old, his parents made the long trip to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, coming to Stanislaus County by way of Stockton. The family settled about five miles from the present site of Oakdale and here the father became extensively interested in ranching, growing large crops of grain, and also owning many sheep. Mr. Snedigar's great uncle, Thomas Richardson, was one of the largest sheep raisers of that vicinity, owning thousands of sheep and operating 20,000 acres of land. R. R. Snedigar was one of the big farmers of Stanislaus County, having at one time 1,440 acres in barley and wheat.
Growing up thus in pioneer times and under pioneer influences, William Snedigar is a Californian in all but birth. His boyhood was spent on the home farm, where he early became familiar with all the duties of the ranch, and his education was received in the neighborhood school, fortunate in having for his teacher Hon. Vital E. Bangs, whose name is enrolled high among Stanislaus County's worthy citizens. Nor was his association with that eminent teacher closed when his schooldays were over, as when he reached the age of twenty-eight he was united with Mr. Bangs' daughter, Miss Susan Bangs, a woman of charming personality who has been a true helpmate to him.
Upon reaching young manhood Mr. Snedigar began ranching on his own account and he is still actively engaged in grain farming. He is the owner of a fine farm of eighty-five acres north of Modesto on the McHenry Road, which was a part of the Vital E. Bangs farm, and here he has erected a large, attractive stucco residence, modern and up-to-date. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snedigar; Harriet Victoria, Mrs. Joseph D. Cozad, Jr., resides in Modesto with her husband and son, Philip D.; Merwin H., a graduate in mechanics through a correspondence course, enlisted as a chauffeur in the U.S.Army on May 19, 1917, assigned to M. T. Corps, served on the Mexican border until discharged on March 19, 1920. He is now at home. Lloyd M. is the third child of the family. The youngest, Gerald M. a bright, handsome lad of fifteen, a great favorite in all the neighborhood, passed away in March, 1920, a sad blow to the family circle. Although his busy life as a rancher occupies Mr. Snedigar's time, he takes a live interest in all public affairs and in 1907 he served his county as deputy assessor. [History of Stanislaus County, California With Biographical Sketches, By George H. Tinkham Press of Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1921, Page 351]