Louis D. Snakenberg

As printed in 1903

LOUIS D. SNAKENBERG.

The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in his chosen calling, and whose prominence is not less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. It is a pleasing indulgence to write the biography of a man of this character, such as Louis D. Snakenberg is known to be. He is one of the leading farmers in German township, where his farm in all its appointments indicates the progressive spirit, enterprise and good business ability of the owner, who is justly numbered among the most skillful and thorough agriculturalists of his native township. October 9, 1851, marks the ushering of this gentleman into the world, the place being his native township. His parents were natives of Germany, the father's name being John Snakenberg and his mother Dorethe Scharnhorst. John was born in Germany March 15, 1814, and when a young man came to America, in 1836; he settled in 1844 in Keokuk county, preempting a farm just south of where our subject now resides. This was in its primitive wild state, and the life of our subject's father was filled with the trials that come to all the pioneers of that day. He "stuck to his last," however,.and had the satisfaction of having carved out of the wilderness one of the finest farm properties in Keokuk county, on which he died in 1892. He was one of nature's noblemen, a man whose word was as good as his bond, and whose simple and trustful life had a splendid influence for good upon

Lis community. He gave allegiance to the principles of the Democratic party and was honored during that time by his fellow citizens with some of the offices of the township. He married in the county as above stated, his wife having been the daughter of Christian and Dorethe Scharnhorst, who were also among the early settlers of the county. 1 1 ey became the parents of ten children, of which the subject of tin's re\iew is the eldest; their names are as follows: Louis D.; John \Y., deceased; Henry; Nicholas; Mary; Katherine; Richard and Minnie, twins; George, and Emma. Mr. Louis D. Snakenberg remained with his parents until he was three years beyond his majority, assisting in the cultivation of the farm. Here he learned the habits of industry which have so distinguished him in later life, and which have seen their fruition in the success which has come to him. He received a fairly good education in the common schools in German township. At the age of twenty-four he settled on the site which he now owns, and which at that time was virgin soil. He looks with satisfaction on the fact that the beautiful farm of which he is now the owner is the work of his own hands, supplemented by the bountiful providence of Dame Nature. He is known the county over as being an excellent farmer, and deals extensively in fine stock. His home life began in 1876, March 2nd, when he was happily married to Dorothy Seebe. This lady is the daughter of Christopher and Sarah Seebe and is a native of the township in which she now lives. Her father was a native born German, while her mother's nativity was in Ohio. They removed to the county in a very early day. Mr. and Mrs. Snakenberg are the parents of two children: Roy; Dora, now deceased. Politically Mr. Snakenberg follows in the footsteps of his lamented father, and has acted with credit to himself as trustee for the manship for the past six years, and as road supervisor for a period cf four years, He has also served a number of terms as school director of his district. Fraternally he has allied himself to the organization known as the Woodmen of the World. He commands and receives the respect which is his due in his section of the county.

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.