James Sneed, whose sketchh now invites attention, is one of the prominent men of Lee County, having in the course of his long life witnessed many changes and an immense amount of progress in the State, and also having accumulated a considerable fortune. He is now engaged in general farming on sections 20 and 29, of Palmyra Township, where he owns and operates a large estate of two hundred and thirty- seven acres, on which, besides farming, he carries on the stock trade, he has lived on this farm since 1871, having come to the State in 1854. He was for a while in Morris County Kan., and then removed to Carroll County, where he remained four years Since that time he has lived continuously on his present homestead.

Mr. Sneed's birth occurred in Pulaski County. Ky., near Somerset, on the 15th of January, 1827, being the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Dalton) Sneed. When just a small boy our subject moved with his parents to Indiana, the family leaving the beautiful Blue Grass country for no other reason than that the idea of slavery was distasteful to them, and as that custom prevailed everywhere south of "Mason and Dixon's line", they were forced to seek a Northern home. They first located in Washington County, and began life there as farmers, and later lived for a time in Jackson County soon returning to Washington County, where they spent their last years. The father died when about seventy and the mother when about sixty years Of age. They were both born and reared in Kentucky and were there married. To them were born thirteen children, four sons and one daughter yet surviving, our subject being the only one of the family in Illinois.

Our subject was reared in Washington County. Ind., and while there attained his majority, at which time he came to Lee County and was married in this township to Miss Sarah K. Toliver, who was born in Lawrence County, Ind. She was yet quite young when her parents removed to Richland County, Ind., and a short time afterwards she was deprived of a mother's loving care and protection. She was taken care of by her grandparents who lived in this township, and it was here that she received her education. She was always quite studious and gained a good education with what advantages she had. She has made our subject a true and faithful helpmate, and is held in high repute for her intellectuality and her many excellent traits of character. This lady was called to her eternal home the 14th of August 1891. The marriage of our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed by the advent of seven children, two of whom are now deceased. The living are: Francis M., who took to wife Alice Schultz, a resident of Dixon; Alice M., wife of K. H. Hughs, a farmer in Ogle County, this State; James B., a farmer, who resides at home; and William V. and Minnie L., who are also at home. Mr. Sneed has held several township and county offices, among them being the office of County Collector, and is it present the incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace, which be holds with satisfaction to his constituents. In his politics be affiliates with the Republican Party.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portraits and Biographical Lee Co. 1892