Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 969 - 970

D. L. SNIVELY, who is a retired business man, and one of the Directors of Garfield University, is one of the prominent citizens of Wichita, and is held in universal respect as a man of perfect integrity, faithful and trustworthy in every relation of life, and one who uses his influence to promote any good cause that will benefit his fellowmen. He is a native of Stark County, Ohio, and was born March 6, 1838. His parents were Peter and Sarah (Simmons) Snively, natives of Pennsylvania, but when they were children they went with their parents to Stark County. Peter Snively was a son of Joseph and Catharine (Sherman) Snively, who were extensively engaged in farming at their home in Ohio until death. The parents of the mother of our subject were Lawrence and Sarah (Link) Simmons, who were also extensive farmers, and were among the first settlers of Stark County, residing in their pioneer home until death closed their career.

            Peter Snively, father of our subject, was reared on a farm and chose farming for his life work. He gained a competency by his untiring industry and the help of his good wife, and their closing years were spent in the enjoyment of a comfortable home, and all the luxuries that they desired. They were greatly esteemed for their genuine worth, kindness of heart, and undoubted integrity, and when they passed away from the scenes of earth, he in April, 1850, and she in September, 1864, they left an honorable life record as a worthy inheritance for their children. Of their union six children were born, three of whom are living: D. L., Jonathan R., and Mary E., now Mrs. Hendershot.

            The subject of this sketch was bred to a farmer's life on the pleasant old homestead of his birth, remaining there until he was over twenty-four years of age, actively assisting in the management of the farm, and receiving in the meantime a substantial education in the district school and in an excellent academy. In 1862 he took a step that was to have an important bearing on his after-life; this was his marriage with Miss Martha J. Johnson, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Fauble) Johnson, of DeKalb County, Ind. He has ever found in her a wife who is devoted to his interests and has been to him a faithful helpmate.

            After marriage Mr. Snively continued to live on the old homestead for two and one-half years, he having purchased an interest in the estate. At the expiration of that time he disposed of his interests to his brother, and moved with his family to Bureau County, Ill., in 1864, and there purchased sixty acres of land, and subsequently ninety acres more. For several years thereafter he was largely engaged in farming and stock-raising, and by working intelligently and with unceasing industry, he managed his business so as to gain very profitable results, and at the same time greatly increased the value of his farm. In 1882 he sold his property in Illinois and removed from there to this State, and made his home in Wichita, Sedgwick County. He purchased a farm in Delano Township; it contains 240 acres of land in a most desirable locality, and has proved a valuable source of income, as he rents it at a good price.

            Since making his home in this metropolis Mr. Snively has been extensively engaged in real-estate transactions, and by his shrewd investments has made quite a fortune, so that he is now able to live in retirement from active life, although he is scarcely past the prime of manly vigor. He and his wife have a pleasant, commodious residence on South Water street. Their happy married life has been blessed by the birth of two sons and one daughter; William A., Jonathan R. and Sarah M. M. William is engaged in business as a stair-builder; Jonathan is engaged as a bookkeeper in a boot and shoe house.

            Mr. Snively is a man of remarkably good judgment, sound common sense and ability, which traits have made him prosperous and influential; the respect in which he is held is due to his high moral character and his disinterested benevolence. In politics he is a hearty supporter of the policy of the Republican party. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are distinguished for their earnest religious character and firm faith.

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