Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
OTIS EVERETT SNIDER. Never before has there been so much interest taken in the best methods of farming and in the conditions of rural homes. The struggle to bring rural life from the present to ideal conditions is not an easy one, nor will it be speedily accomplished. Yet there are now farms and country homes in every county which might be taken as models worth imitating. Among, those in Greene county which come pretty near the high-water mark of an ideal twentieth-century farm is that owned and operated by Otis Everett Snider and known as "Brookdale Farm." Such places are a credit to any community, and they inspire others to put forth a like effort, as well as publishing to the outside world the fact that here is a community of citizens of thrift and good taste.
Mr. Snider was born in the above-named township and county on February 23, 1874. He is a son of David and Eliza Jane (Robertson), Snider. David Snider was born on February 19, 1844, in Monroe county, eastern Tennessee, and was a son of John and Nellie (McKee) Snider. John Snider was a native of Tennessee, where he spent his life, dying there when his son, David, was seven years old, after devoting his life to farming. His wife, Nellie McKee, was a native of Pennsylvania. David Snider grew to manhood in Tennessee and received such educational advantages as the old-time subscription schools afforded, and there he continued to reside until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Gentry, county, Missouri, but remained only three months, coming on then to Greene county, arriving here on December 24, 1872. After renting a farm for some time, he bought forty acres, and prospering through close application and good management, he added to his original purchase, until he owned three hundred and thirty acres of valuable and productive land in sections 21 and 28, Murray township, and there he still resides, engaged successfully and extensively in general farming and stock raising, and ranks, among the leading agriculturists of the county, throughout which he is widely known and highly esteemed as a man and citizen. He and Eliza Jane Robertson were married on February 3, 1873. She was born in Greene county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a daughter of Jefferson and Mary Ann (Ludspeech) Robertson, one of the pioneer families of the northern part of Greene county. A history of this well-known family appears in the sketch of Charles L. Robertson on another page of this work.
To David Snider and wife five children were born, namely: Otis E., of this sketch; Mrs. Josie Lee Green, of. Murray township; Mrs. Mary Justice, who lives near Ash Grove, this county; Mrs. Virgie Thomas, who lives in Murray township; and Virgil, who died in infancy.
Politically, David Snider is a Democrat, but has never cared for public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order at Bois D'Arc Greene county. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Willard.
Otis E. Snider spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and received his education in the local public schools. He remained on the home place assisting with the general work there until his marriage, at the age of twenty-four years, after which he began farming for himself in Murray township, and was successful from the first. He accumulated two hundred acres of good land, which he sold in 1913, and removed to Nebraska; but ranching in that state did not appeal to him in every respect, and after making a crop there he returned to his native township and located on his present place, "Brookdale Farm," which consists of two hundred acres, and is one of the desirable and well-improved farms of the township, on which stands a good residence and substantial and convenient outbuildings. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of raising hogs, and has traded in them on a large scale until very recently, when he turned his attention more to general crops. His place is well drained, well fenced and well watered, there being an excellent running spring on his land, besides good wells.
Mr. Snider was married, February 2, 1897, to Birdie Gilmore, a native of this part of Greene county, where she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of George and Miley (Phillips) Gilmore, a well known and highly respected family of near Willard, this township.
To our subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Ralph, George, Ellis, and the youngest died in infancy, unnamed.
Politically, Mr. Snider is a Democrat, but has never been active in party affairs. He was reared in a Methodist family, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Willard. He is a quiet, hard-working farmer of good habits and pleasing disposition.
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