THEODERIC SNUFFER (1799 - 1876)
International Genealogical Index:
Theodrick Snuffer – Margaret Baker, married 23 January 1834 Montgomery Co., VA. Batch 8400681
One World Tree:
Robert Snare Snuffer, born St. Clair Co., Mo.; died 1927 Clinton, Henry Co., Mo. Married in Henry Co., Mo.
Theodric V. Snuffer, born Missouri; died 1960 Los Angeles, CA.
California Death Records:
Thoeodri V. Snuffer
Male, born 1 January 1883 Missouri; died 7 December 1960 Los Angeles Co., CA; age 77 years. Mother’s maiden name: Hoover. SSN 490-05-9394.
1883 History of St. Clair County MO, National Historical Co., pg. 1149:
THEODORIC SNUFFER, deceased, a pioneer in southwest Missouri, was born in Henry County, Virginia, July 15, 1799, and traces his paternal ancestry to Germany, his grandfather, Jacob Snuffer, and his wife, Sally, having emigrated to the United States in 1760. He served as a soldier in the revolutionary war, and participated in the battle of
Brandywine Station. After the close of the war he settled on a farm east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, where he spent his remaining days, attaining the remarkable age of 110 years. He left a large family widely scattered, and among those remaining in Virginia
was George, the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Virginia and in 1797 married Miss P. Janiet, of Virginia. By this union
there were four sons and six daughters. Mr. Snuffer died in the service of his country in the war of 1812.
Theodoric Snuffer was married in 1834 to Miss Margaret Baker, a native of Montgomery County, Virginia, and a daughter of Colonel Josiah Baker, an officer in the war of 1776. He married Miss Sallie Patton in 1793.
In 1836 Mr. Snuffer came to Missouri and settled in Henry County near the present site of Calhoun, living in this county until the spring of
1838, when he removed to what is now St. Clair County, on the Osage River. His first building was a cabin ten feet square, and in this building he resided until July, 1839. Then he built, with the assistance of neighbors, a log house eighteen feet square. This building still remains on the old homestead. Mr. S. was, at this time, in the prime of vigorous manhood. He commenced farming by clearing
and planting a few acres in Indian corn, and each year clearing and breaking a few more acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Snuffer had five sons and one daughter born to them. Of these the daughter died in infancy, the third son died when four years of age; Cyrus R., the fourth son, was murdered in the Choctaw Nation by a band of outlaws, the leader of which was afterward hanged in Texas;
Josiah, the eldest son, died in 1863 at Little Rock, Arkansas, while a
soldier under General Price. Owen M. was an officer in the confederate army, and now resides on the old homestead. He was born on the 14th day of February, 1837, in Henry County, Missouri. In 1864 he married Mrs. Susan Tunstall, widow of Captain E. B. Tunstall, who fell at the battle of Elk Horn, in Arkansas, under General Price. By this union there are now living two daughters, Sallie and Esie. Mrs. Snuffer died in Arkansas in 1876. Mr. Owen Snuffer, to whom we are indebted for this sketch, has written several articles for the press, and among these contributions are "The Early Settlers of the County" and "The Sacking and Burning of Osceola by Jim Lane." "The Battle of Lone Jack," written by him, is acknowledged to be a fair and impartial history. He also assisted A. C. Appler in writing the only true life ever written of the Younger Brothers.
St. Clair Co., MO History 1883:
Early Settlers of Chalk Level Township:
Theoderic Snuffer, from Montgomery County, Virginia, settled on the south half of southeast quarter of section 32 and south half of
southwest quarter of section 33 in 1838, and Owen Snuffer, his son, came with him, then some twelve years of age, and now a prominent citizen of the county.
The Benton Green Farm, Bicentennial Corner:
Benton Green School, adjoining the Green farm, was located on land donated by Theodoric Snuffer, remembered for his role in the great battle of the Younger outlaws. He declined the honor of having the school named for him. In time it became known as the Benton Green School.
History of Henry and St. Clair Counties, Missouri, 1883:
St. Clair County Pioneers from 1832 to 1840 – Owen Snuffer and Theodoric Snuffer
From “Gun Battle at Roscoe (Youngers vs Pinkertons)”, St. Clair County Courier, 7 October 1976:
[Note: See “Roscoe Gun Battle – Younger Brothers Vs. Pinkerton Detectives" for complete article]
Cole Younger had several friendships of long standing in the county as a result of being comrades in the Confederacy during the War between the States. Several of the men in St. Clair had fought alongside Cole in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Lone Jack and it was not easy for them to forget his bravery and loyalty to the southern cause.
One of these men was Owen Snuffer. Owen, later in the year of 1874, assisted Augustus C. Appler, editor of the Osceola Democrat, in the writing of the first book on the Younger brothers. Also, Owen's father, Theodrick Snuffer, had been a close friend of Cole's grandfather, Charles Lee Younger. Theodrick had been instrumental in persuading Charlie to move from Jackson County to St. Clair, and to purchase a large acreage of land west of Osceola. When Charlie Younger made his will he called on his friends, Theodrick Snuffer and John Bedel, to sign as witnesses. Needless to say it was not uncommon for the boys to stay with the Snuffer family when in this area.
When Charlie Younger made his will he called on his friends, Theodrick Snuffer and John Bedel, to sign as witnesses. Needless to say, it was not uncommon for the boys to stay with the Snuffer family when in this area…
On the same section that the McFerrin cabin sat, lived the Theodrick Snuffers and Benton Green families. Benton Green had fought with Cole in the Lone Jack battle and was wounded there.
History of Henry and St. Clair Counties, Missouri, 1883:
[Note: See “The Great Battle” for complete article]
The Great Battle
We went from Roscoe to the residence of Mr. Snuffer and there learned that the Younger boys, John and James, had been to his residence about one half hour previous to the appearance of the detectives and young Daniel, they, the Youngers eating dinner at the time they passed. After eating their dinner, John Younger remarked to his brother James that they would follow those men and see who they were, stating at the time that he supposed they were detectives, and when they caught up with them, the battle commenced, as reported below.
Testimony of Theodorick Snuffer
The men came to my house and inquired the way to Mrs. Sims; the third man came along afterwards and overtook them; the two Youngers, John and James, after they had passed, followed them; I saw James Younger after the fight; he told me that John younger was dead; that they had killed one of the men and that one other had been wounded and got away; that they had wounded Allen; that Allen had a pistol secreted and fired the first shot.
THEODORIC SNUFFER
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 18th day of March, 1874.
JAMES ST. CLAIR, J.P.
August 1998 Skirmisher:
Newsletter of the Gen. McBride Camp of Springfield, Missouri Reprinted: Confederate Veteran, 1903
Lieutenant Owen Snuffer and Uncle George
The Osceola Democrat raised money to send "Uncle" George McDonald, of St. Clair County, a colored Confederate veteran, and perhaps the only one attending the reunion, to the Confederate reunion at Columbia last month. "Uncle" George went with the Confederates from St. Clair County, and fought in several engagements. At Wilson's Creek, a minnie ball plowed through his hip and a buck shot struck him in the face.
George lay groaning upon the ground when he was found by Owen Snuffer, lieutenant of his company. Snuffer stooped down, examined the black man's wounds, and stanched the flow of blood from them. "For God's sake," cried the suffering negro, "give me a drink of water." Snuffer's canteen was empty, but midway between the firing lines was a well. To reach it, the lieutenant was to become the target of sharpshooters, and it meant almost certain death. But with bullets falling around him like hailstones, he pushed forward until the well was reached. And then he discovered that the bucket had been taken away and the windlass removed. The water was far down and the depth unknown. The well was old-fashioned-stone-walled. Owen pulled off his long cavalry boots; and taking one in his teeth, he let himself down slowly, hand over hand, until the water was reached and the boot filled, and then he climbed up, straddling the well and clutching with hands and feet the rocky walls. Reaching the surface again, he picked up the other boot and safely made is way back to the Confederate lines.
Returning from the war, Uncle George settled near Monegaw Springs, and has reared an intelligent, honest, industrious family. One of his children educated himself, graduated at the Smith University in Sedalia, and is now in charge of a Church in Kansas. Another is waiter at the Commercial Hotel in Osceola, and is known for his strict integrity.
Civil War Soldier and Sailors System:
O.M. Snuffer
Confederate, Co. F., Coffee’s Regiment, Missouri Cavalry
Rank In: Private
Rank Out: Private
Film M380, Roll 13
Owen M. Snuffer
Confederate, Co. B, 16 Missouri Infantry
Rank In: Private
Rank Out: Sr. 2nd Lieutenant
Film M380, Roll 13
Missouri Archives – Soldiers Database:
Record Group – Office of the Adjutant General
Series Title – Index of service records, Confederate 1861 – 1865
Box 113, Reel s739
Owen Snuffer
Rank: Lieutenant, Civil War
Side: Confederate
Mentioned in an article on page 494, Confederate Veteran Magazine, 1903
Owen T. Snuffer
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Conflict: Civil War
Side: Confederate
Type of Unit: Infantry
Name of Unit: 16th Missouri Infantry
Company: B
Notes: Owen T. Snuffer, (age 25), Co. B, 16th Missouri Infantry. Commissioned February 16, 1863. Pages 49-56 Parson’s Division, Missouri Volunteers.
1850 St. Clair Co., MO Census – District No. 79 Being:
12 November
462/462 Theoderick Snuffer, age 57, male, farmer, $500 real estate, born VA
Margaret, age 49, female, born VA
Josiah, age 15, male, farmer, born MO
Owen, age 13, male, born MO
Siras, age 8, male, born MO
Robert, age 3, male, born MO
Betsey Anderson, age 15, female, born MO
Margaret Boots, age 7, female, born MO
1860 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Monegaw Township:
Page 157, Line 24, 15 September
1102/1053 Theodoric Snuffer, age 60, male, farmer, $5000 real estate, $2500 personal estate, born VA
Margaret, age 58, female, born VA
Owen M., age 25, male, laborer, $150 personal, born MO
Cyrus R., age 18, male, born MO, attended school
Robert M., age 12, male, born MO, attended school
Nancy Basey, age 45, female, born Santa Fe Mexico
1860 St. Clair Co., MO Slave Schedule:
T. Snuffer, Emp., line 23, 1 age 60, male, black
T. Snuffer, Emp., line 26
1880 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Chalk Level Township:
Dist. 6, ED 230, 2 June
23/27 Snuffer, Robert, white male, age 32, married, farmer, born MO, both parents born VA
Nancy, white female, age 23, wife, married, keeping house, born MO, both parents born VA
Hoover, Carl, white female, age 6, niece, single, at home, attended school, cannot read or write, born MO, both parents born MO
28 Estes, Elizabeth, white female, age 68, widowed, keeping house, born VA, father born VA, mother born MO
Snuffer, Lillie, white female, age 14, niece, single, at home, attended school, born AR, father born AR, mother born VA
Esia, white male, age 10, nephew, single, at home, attended school, born MO
1890 Veteran Schedules Record:
Owen M. Snuffer
Military 1862 – 1865
Residence June 1890, Chalk Level, St. Clair Co., MO.
1890 Special Census, Veteran’s Roll:
Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and Widows, etc. 1890
Dist. 6, ED 177, Page 4, 11th Census of the United States
Chalk Level, St. Clair co., MO, June 1890
Snuffer, Owen M., Lieutenant, Company F, 9 Missouri Infantry
1 January 1862 – 7 May 1865, served 3 years.
Post Office Roscoe, Missouri
Confederate Soldier
1900 St. Clair Co., MO Census – Osceola Township:
Dist. 6, ED 149, Page 3A, Line 38, 5 June
52/52 Snuffer, Robert, head, white male, born July 1847, age 52, married 24 years, born MO, both parents born WV, farmer, unemployed 0 months, can read & write, speaks English, renting farm, farm #48
Nancy L., wife, white female, born April 1853, age 43, married, married 24 years, 10 children, 7 living, born MO, both parents born WV, can read & write, speaks English
Thomas, son, white male, born October 1880, age 19, single, born MO, both parents born MO, farm laborer, attended school 0 months, can read & write, speaks English
Theodrick V., son, white male, born January 1883, age 17, single, born MO, both parents born MO, farm laborer, attended school 0 months, can read & write, speaks English
Etya J., daughter, white female, born April 1885, age 15, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 0 months, can read & write, speaks English
Ida F., daughter, white female, born March 1882, age 12, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 3 months, can read & write, speaks English
Elane, daughter, white female, born August 1890, age 9, single, born MO, both parents born MO, attended school 3 months
Owin W., son, white male, born February 1894, age 6, single, born MO, both parents born MO
Floisa E., daughter, white female, born February 1896, age 3, single, born MO, both parents born MO
1910 Randolph Co., MO Census – Chariton Township:
Dist. 2, ED 135, Page 2A, Line 2, 18 April
23/23 Snuffer, Robert S., head, white male, age 64, married, 1st marriage, married 35 years, born MO, father born MO, mother born VA, speaks English, Farmer, general farm, can read & write, renting farm house
Nancy L., wife, white female, age 54, married, married 35 years, 1st marriage, 10 children, 7 living, born MO, father born MO, mother born VA, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
Elsie C., daughter, white female, age 19, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write, not attending school
William O., son, white male, age 18, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, cannot read or write, not attending school
Flossie E., daughter, white female, age 13, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write, attended school
1910 Randolph Co., MO Census – Chariton Township:
Dist. 2, ED 135, Page 2A, Line 7, 18 April
(Living next door to Robert Snuffer)
Theodric V. Snuffer, head, white male, age 26, married, married 6 years, 1st marriage, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, farmer, can read & write, renting farm
Maude H., wife, white female, age 22, married, married 6 years, 1st marriage, 1 child, 1 living, born IN, both parents born VA, speaks English, no occupation, can read & write
John R., son, white male, age 3, single, born MO, father born MO, mother born IN, no occupation
Josiah G., brother, white male, age 28, single, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Engineer, Saw Mill, unemployed 0 months, can read & write
1920 Henry Co., MO Census – Clinton Township, City of Clinton:
Dist. 6, ED 89, Page 9A, Line 36, Ward 3, 14 January
living at 522 S. McLain
235/235 Snuffer, Robert S., head, owned home free, white male, age 74, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born VA, speaks English, no occupation
Louise, wife, white female, age 63, married, can read & write, born MO, both parents born VA, speaks English, no occupation
George, son, white male, age 39, single, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Miller, Saw Mill
1920 Henry Co., MO Census – Honey Creek:
Dist. 6, ED 96, Page 3B, Line 52, 7 January
66/69 Snuffer, George, head, renting home, white male, age 37, single, can read & write, born MO, both parents born MO, speaks English, Laborer, Saw Mill
St. Clair Co., MO Probate Court Records:
[Note: See Will and Codical of Charles Younger for complete transcription.]
Will and Codical of Charles Younger - At the request of Charles Younger we hereunto subscribe our names as witnesses to the foregoing Will and Signature in the presence of the said Younger this 28th day of October 1854. Theodore Snuffer, John Bedell
Theodrick Snuffer and John Bedell witnesses on the 28th day of October 1854 ratifying said will.
St. Clair Co., MO Circuit Court Records:
April Term 1842 – Jury Duty
Grand Jury chosen … Theoderick Snuffer…
July Term 1843 – Jury Duty
Grand Jury chosen … Theodrick Snuffer
September Term 1844 – Debt
County of St. Clair – Plff vs James Wilson, Robert Anderson And Theodrick Snuffer – Defts
Now at this day Comes the Defendants by their Attorney And by leave of the Court files herein their plea of non est factum to the plaintiffs declaration.
March Term 1845 – Jury Duty
The Sheriff of St. Clair County returned into Court the Venire for a Grand Jury for the State of Missouri for the body of the County of St. Clair from which was sworn and Empannelled The following named persons as a Grand Inquest To wit: … Theodrick Snuffer…
March Term 1845 – Action of Debt
County of St. Clair – plaintiff vs. James Wilson, Robert Anderson and Theodrick Snuffer – Defendants
Now at this day Comes the parties by their Attorneys, And the plaintiff by his attorney Moves the Court for leave to Amend his declaration, and to him leave is given And this Cause is order to be Continued until the Next Term of this Court.
October Term 1846 – Petition to Foreclose Mortgage
Robert Anderson & Theodrick Snuffer – plaintiffs vs Robert H. Sproull adm’r of the Estate of John Smarr deceased – Defendant
October Term 1847 – Land Deed
Be It remembered that on this day personally appeared Zachariah Lilley Sheriff of St. Clair County and tenders to the Court here a deed by him executed to Theodrick Snuffer And Robert Anderson for the south east fractional quarter of Section No. 5 Township No. 37 of Range No. 27 north of the Osage River And the Said Zachariah Lilley Sheriff as aforesaid being personally Known to the Court to be the person whose name is subscribed to the said deed as having Executed the same Acknowledged the same to be his Act And deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
April Term 1848 – Jury Duty
Robert Anderson & Theodrick Snuffer – plaintiffs vs Robert H. Sproull adm’r of the Estate of John Smarr deceased – Defendant
November Term 1852 – Jury Duty
The Sheriff of St. Clair county returned into court the venire facias together with the Pannel of Grand Jurors thereon endorsed From which were sworn the following Persons Towit: … Theoderick Snuffer…
November Term 1852 – Indictment for Gaming
The State of Missouri – Plaintiff against Robert H. Sproull et al – Defendants
..whereupon the said Defendant R.H. Sproull as principal and Theoderick Snuffer as his security.
May Term 1853 – Jury Duty
Stinson S. Stearns vs William H. McCullock, Civil action for damages
February 1854 (In Vacation) – Petition for Partition
Elizabeth Anderson by her Guardian Theoderick Snuffer
April Term 1855 – Petition for Partition
Elizabeth Anderson by her Guardian Theodrick Snuffer…
Elizabeth Anderson an infant under the age of Twenty one years by her guardian Theodrick Snuffer…
October Term 1855 – Appeal from Justices Court
Theodrick Snuffer – Plff vs Socrates B. Stone – Deft
November Term 1856 – Grand Juror
Grand Jurors chosen… Theoderick Snuffer
December Term 1856 – Civil action
Theoderick Snuffer – Plff vs Socrates B. Stone – Deft
March Term 1857 – Civil Action
Theoderick Snuffer vs Socrates B. Stone
Now at this day comes the Said parties by their attorneys and on motion of Said Defendant and for good and Sufficient cause Shown to the court here It is ordered by the court that this cause be continued until the next term of this court at the costs of the Said defendant It is therefore considered by the court here that the said Plaintiff have and recover against the Said defendant his costs in this behalf laid out and expended at and about this term of this court. And that execution Issue therefor.
May Term 1857 – Civil Action
Theodrick Snuffer vs Socrates B. Stone
Now at this day comes the Said Defendant by his attorney and by leave of the court files herein his answer to Said Plaintiffs Petition.
September Term 1858 – Jury Duty
From Monegan Township - Theoderick Snuffer
September Term 1858 – Grand Jury Chosen
From Monegan Township - … Theoderick Snuffer
March Term 1860 – Jury Duty
From Monegan Township - … Theoderick Snuffer
March Term 1860 – Indictment for disturbing Religious worship
State of Missouri – Plaintiff vs William Carroll and Thomas Yonce – Defendants
Jury member… Theoderick Snuffer
September Term 1860 – Civil Action to obtain title to real estate and for partition
William H. Trolinger – Plaintiff against Penelope W. Eckols, Susannah W. Eckols & Mary Eckols – Defendants
The Court here appoints Amos Groom, Theodrick Snuffer and John Bedell Commissioners to assign and admeasure said dower to the Said Penelope W. Eckols and to make partition of the real estate.
September Term 1860 – Bill of Indictment against Cyrus Snuffer & C.S. Snuffer, James S. Thompson & David Thompson for disturbing peace of family.
April Term 1865 – Civil Action on Note
Thomas Walton vs Theodore Snuffer
Now at this day comes the defendant by his attorney, and makes affidavit that he can not safely go to trial on account of the absence of Material witnesses and asks the Court to continue this Cause till the next Term of this Court which is granted.
In Vacation, 22 January 1868 –
Harvey Disney Public administrator for St. Clair County Missouri having in charge the Estate of Giveon Davis Deceased vs Jemiah Looney, O.V. Snuffer & John Pawnby
Now on this day comes the Plaintiff in the above entitled cause before the undersigned Clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Clair County in the State of Missouri in vacation and files his petition and affidavit stating among other things that the above named Defendant, Jemiah Looney is a non resident of the state of Missouri. It is therefore
Ordered by the Court aforesaid in vacation aforesaid. That Public action be made notifying the said Defendant Jeremiah Looney that an action has been commenced against him by Petition and attachment in the Circuit Court of St. Clair County Missouri, founded on a promissory note dated October 9th 1858, whereby the said Defendants from and for Administrator of [can’t read] value received to pay M.T. Looney, the sum of One hundred & fifty Dollars & Sixty five cents, with ten per cent interest per annum as due till said and afterwards towit on the 14th day of Nov 1859 the sum of $1.00 was paid on said note. And that his property has been attached and that unless he be and appear at the next term of this Court to be began and holden at the Court House in the Town of Osceola St. Clair County(can’t read) on or before the third day thereof if the Term shall so long (can’t read) if not then before the end of the Term and plead answer or demur to plaintiff if not the same will be taken as confessed and judgement rendered in accordance with the (can’t read) It is further ordered that a copy hereof be published in the “Osceola Herald” a newspaper published in the Town of Osceola County of St. Clair for four weeks successively the last insertion thereof to be at least four weeks before the commencement of the next term of this Court.
Osceola Sun, 17 July 1879, Order of Publication - State of Missouri, County of St. Clair, ss.
In the vacation of the circuit court of said county. In vacation, 1879, Joseph P. Landes, administrator de bonis non of the estate of Theodrick Snuffer, deceased, plaintiff, vs. William P. Burks defendant.
Osceola Sun, 24 July 1879, Order of Publication - State of Missouri, County of St. Clair, ss. In the vacation of the circuit court of said county. In the vacation of the circuit court of said county. In vacation, 1879, Joseph P. Landes, administrator de bonis non of the estate of Theodrick Snuffer, deceased, plaintiff vs. William P. Burks defendant.
St. Clair County Republican, Osceola, Mo., 26 July, 1900 – Charles Osborn loses his life while crossing the Gallnipper.
R. L. Love, Frank Birdwell, R. Davis, R. S. Snuffer, H. Petry, and P. Brown composed the jury.
Voice of The People, 25 February 1880:
Circuit Court Docket, Term Commencing March 1st, 1880 - Owen M. and Robert S. Snuffer vs. Margaret Snuffer Jr. and Margaret Snuffer, petition for partition.
St. Clair County Republican, 12 September 1888:
Died on Sunday night, September 9th, 1888, at her father’s residence in Chalk Level Township, Miss M. Snuffer, daughter of O.M. Snuffer, aged 24 years, 4 months and 3 days.
Miss Snuffer had been suffering from consumption for several months, caused by a shock received during a cyclone last year, which destroyed the house she was living in. She was buried in the Green burial ground, near her home. The funeral will take place next Sunday in the Baptist church at Roscoe, of which she has been a consistent member for over a year. The sermon will be preached by Rev. Shackleford. Mr. Snuffer has the sympathy of many friends in this his last bereavement.
St. Clair Co., MO Obituaries 1888 – 1928:
Owen M. Snuffer, born ca 1837; died 13 July 1901 AR.
Dr. O.M. Snuffer, died 13 July 1901 AR.
Daughter of Q.M. Snuffer, born 1 October 1864; died 8 September 1888 St. Clair Co., MO.
Benton Green Cemetery Records, St. Clair Co., MO:
Snuffer, Theodrick, 15 July 1799 - 30 April 1876
Snuffer, Lilly Margaret, 31 October, 1865 – 9 September 1888
St. Clair Co., MO Cemetery Records:
Benton Green Cemetery
Snuffer, Lilly Margaret, 31 October 1865 – 9 September 1888
Snuffer, Theodrick, 15 July 1799 – 30 April 1876
