In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903)
HENRY SNAKENBERG.
Among the well known and highly respected pioneers of this county was Dietrich Snakenberg, a farmer, and for fifty years local preacher in the Methodist church. He and his wife. Mary Seaba, were both natives of Hanover, Germany. Both emigrated to this country before their marriage, which took place in West Virginia, where Oietrich engaged in coal mining. After continuing in West Virginia a short time they settled in Washington county, Iowa. This was in 1839. The New Purchase was opened for settlement on May 1, 1843. and in the fall of that year he entered this new tract, making his home in what is now German township, Keokuk county. He lived there until his death in 1898, having attained the age of ninety-three years, lacking eleven days. His wife died in 1880, aged sixty-seven. They had eight children: John, born in West Virginia, died at the age of twenty-five; Henry, the subject of this sketch; William, a farmer in this county occupying the old homestead; Mary, who is a widow: Anna, also a wid.w living at Keota; Minnie, unmarried, whose home is in this county; John Dietrich, also of this county; and Louisa, who like Minnie is unmarried and resides in Keokuk county. The family are Methodists. Dietrich associated himself with the Democratic party.
Henry, his son, was born in Washington county, this state, Jul) 17, 1840. He attended the common school and lived with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-seven years of age. August 8, t86, he married and moved to a farm of his own in German township and up to this day he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has always been a Democrat in a Republican county, and his election to several township offices indicates his popularity with the voting element. In 1899 he was elected county treasurer and made such a splendid official that he still holds the office, having been re-elected in 1901. His wife was formerly Miss Margaret Hartman, a native of Switzerland, who came to America with her parents when she was five years old; her family settled near Burlington. Iowa, and in 1856 moved to Keokuk county. Mr. and Mrs. Snakenberg are both members of the Methodist church. They had three children. One died at the age of seven; the daughter, Etta May, is the wife of David Beinhart, of Jefferson, Iowa; and the son, Frank D., is his father's deputy.
As printed in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1903. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.