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Samuel E. Snider Collection, ca. 1850-1920

AHS-ND 850

Biographical Note

Reverend Samuel E. ("S.E.") Snider was born June 8, 1847 in Preston County, West Virginia. He was a civil war veteran who served in the Fourth West Virginia Cavalry along with his father, Colonel Samuel Wesley Snider, and his brother, Captain Snider. Following the Civil War, Snider moved to Pawschiek County, Iowa. By 1871 he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The following year he was admitted on trial in the Upper Iowa Conference. He was married to Maggie Hickman in 1873, and ordained an Elder in 1877. Snider spent over eight years as an evangelist in Iowa.

His missionary career among the Indians began in 1881 when the Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society appointed Snider to the position of Missionary for the Sioux. Snider established the boarding school at Fort Peck, Montana, apparently against the wishes of local white settlers. From 1885 to 1894, Snider served as Missionary and Elder for the Montana district. In 1894 he was given the missionary position at Fort Defiance, Arizona. The exact circumstance under which he left this position, first in August of 1895, and finally in 1896, are not known. One account states that he was removed for medical reasons; another because he was caught embezzling funds. In any case, he moved back to Montana (briefly) in 1896 before returning east.

He died July 18, 1921 at The Southern Branch Soldiers' Home, Hampton, Virginia.

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains approximately (1) linear foot of materials including photographs, correspondence and publications. The majority of the materials are from Snider's tenure as missionary at Ft. Defiance, Arizona, during the period ca. 1894-1896. Of primary interest are the photographic materials of Hopi and Navajo Indians, as well as Samuel Snider's letter book which contains intra-agency correspondence with the Methodist Episcopal Church and with United States Indian agency officials. Other materials include an 1891 bible; a small ledger, ca. 1895; an Odd-Fellows manual, 1904; a brochure from the Central Branch National Military Home, Montgomery County, Ohio, ca. 1915; news clippings and biographical information and obituary regarding S.E. Snider, ca. 1921; and Snider family photographs and ephemera, ca. 1850-1920. The original photographic materials include tintypes, lantern slides and silver gelatin (black and white) processes. For preservation purposes, the photographs have been digitized and the letter book has been photocopied.

Organization

Restrictions

Restrictions

Original photographic images and letter book are deteriorating; requests to view these materials should be directed to the Arizona Historical Society/Flagstaff, archivist.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Department of Administration, Arizona Historical Society, Northern Division, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

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Administrative Information

Credit Line

Arizona Historical Society/Flagstaff, AHS-ND 850

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