county, Illinois, and the mother of Kentucky. Each came to Iowa in pioneer days, single, and located in Linn county. The father devoted his life to farming and became the owner of some property there, but sold out and moved to Hardin county when it was still new and about 1853 or 1854 he moved to Jasper county, where he remained until 1865, when he moved to Kansas, in which state his death occurred in 1883. His wife died in Jasper county. They were the parents of seven children, three supposed to be living at this writing. The elder Snider was a Republican, but took little active interest in public affairs, being of a retiring disposition. He, too, was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company K, Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for a period of nearly three years, during which time he took part in about fifteen battles and skirmishes, in one of which he was wounded in the arm. Amos Snider, being reared in a newly settled country where schools were few, had no chance to obtain an education; then, too, it was necessary for him to assist with the general work in developing the home farm. He was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Jasper county. He entered the army in the same company with his father and took part in about the same engagements, serving about the same length of time. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Lookout Muntain, Port Gibson and Champion's Hill. At the last named battle he was wounded in the left side of the head by a bursting shell, which badly stunned him, but he recovered in due course of time. After the war he returned to Jasper county and began operating a saw-mill in Lynn Grove township, which he continued for eight or nine years, then went to Kansas, where he remained a year. Returning to Richland township, this county, he bought a farm of twenty acres which he gradually added to until he now has a very productive and desirable place consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in this township. This land he cleared, broke and improved and placed under a high state of cultivation. He is also the owner of eighty acres of good land near Newton and twenty acres northeast of his home. He has carried on general farming and stock raising successfully, but is now living practically retired from active life. Politically, Mr. Snider is a Republican. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Snider was married about 1864 to Millie Ann Messick, after he returned from the army. She died about a year later, leaving twins, William Henry and Minnie; the former died at the age of twenty years, and the latter married a Mr. Hamilton. About two years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Snider was married to Dora Bailey, whose death occurred about 1894. To this union one child was born, Nellie, who is still living. Mr. Snider was again married, his last wife being Mrs. Jennie Jumper, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Jackson and Susan Jumper. Her family came to Iowa when Mrs. Snider was four years old and here her father died and the mother is still living. JOHN W. EDWARDS. Among the honored and worthy citizens of Jasper county who have taken an active part in the general development of their community and won an envied reputation for wholesome living is John W. Edwards, who was born in Fayette county, Iowa, May 18, 1858, and he is the son of Elias E. and Abigail M. (Gillum) Edwards, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller and in later years a farmer. They grew to maturity, were educated and married in the East and came to Fayette county, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Auburn, where the father conducted a general store until 1865, when he moved to Jasper county, where he purchased twenty-nine acres of coal lands near Monroe upon which he opened a coal bank, selling to the local trade. In 1898 he sold out and came to Reasnor, where he led a retired life until his death, in 1902, at the age of seventy-five years, the death of his wife occurring in October, 1909, when seventy-nine years old. The father was a well known, substantial and influential citizen, prominent in local politics. He has the good will and respect of all who knew him. In his family were six children, all of whom are living, namely: Mary E. Summey, wife of J. W. Summey, a farmer living in Canada; Emma C. married John M. Dawson, a farmer and carpenter, living near Monroe; Alpharetta M. married Frank Garnant, who resides at Monroe; Ella E. is the widow of John M. Simpson, and lives at Reasnor; John W., of this review; Leota M., wife of J. M. Franklin, a former resident of Missouri. John W. Edwards received a good education and began life for himself as a farmer in Cass county, Iowa, in 1879, continuing thus for five years. He then operated a coal mine near Monroe for five years, after which he purchased a farm near Reasnor and farmed for two years. He then sold the farm and purchased the general store of Caldwell & Son in Reasnor, which he still conducts, having built up an extensive trade with the town and surrounding country through his honest and courteous dealings and the fact that he always carries a large and carefully selected line of goods, handling a general line of groceries, clothing, shoes, notions, hardware, in fact, almost everything used by the farmer and general public, and, according to the statement of many of the long-time customers of his neatly kept and well arranged store, his prices are always right. On July 20, 1879, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Sarah E. Rater, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Romans) Rater, natives of Kentucky, both now deceased, after long and active lives on the farm, the father dying in 1904, and the mother in 1910, while living in Reasnor. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom seven are living, namely: W. G. is farming in Adair county, Iowa; G. A. is farming near Reasnor; John P. and Martha, wife of Zoro McCrosky, are deceased; Sarah E., wife of Mr. Edwards, of this review, was born June 26, 1861, and she was called to her reward on September 13, 1909. She was one of the most popular and best beloved women in Reasnor and vicinity, possessing those rare attributes of head and heart that win and retain friends. Her beautiful Christian character was reflected by the numerous kindly deeds she performed for those about her. Upon the eve of her death a most remarkable incident occurred, which indicated her perfect faith. While her husband and family waited about her bed for the final summons of the white-winged messenger to bear her gentle spirit to a higher sphere of action, she clasped her hands together and suddenly uttered these words, while a look of indescribable rapture came over her face: "Glory, glory, glory; Don't be afraid; there is nothing to fear. He has answered my prayers, He has put my feet upon the solid rock, Christ Jesus. Glory Hallelujah! Glory Hallelujah! Praise His name, praise His name!" The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rater are, Philene, wife of Charles Mortimer, a farmer living in Adair county; Asbury D. is also farming in Adair county; Mary is the wife of James H. Farris, a farmer living near Monroe; Lulu D. is the wife of Peter DeHoet, a farmer living in Minnesota; Florence D. is the wife of William Lufkin, a farmer near Reasnor. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were born three children, all living, namely: Effie May, wife of Fred Minen, who resides in Reasnor, was born May 30, 1880, in Jasper county; Attie Faye, born in Cass county, Iowa, December 27, 1882, is living at home; Laurence E., or "Pete," as he is familiarly called, was born in Cass county, Iowa, December 16, 1884, and is living at home. Mr. Edwards is a member of Jasper Lodge No. 168, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Monroe. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Reasnor, of which he is at present secretary and treasurer, also trustee. He was steward of the same for ten years, and superintendent of |