My Genealogy Hound

A. J. Snelson. Among the representative farmers of the county none are more favorably known, or more highly respected for his many noble qualities of mind and heart than Mr. Snelson. He was born in Pope County, Ark., in 1862, to John and Cynthia (Davis) Snelson, both of whom were born in Tennessee, and came with their parents to Arkansas in an early day, their marriage taking place here in 1861. The father enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862, was stricken with paralysis while on the march from Camden, left behind his command, and soon passed from life. After the war his widow married L. W. Pitts, of Johnson County, but a native of Tennessee, and bore him ten children. The subject of this sketch was the only child born to his parents, and has always followed farming as an occupation; but in connection with this has also given his attention to teaching school for the past ten years, and is one of the successful and popular educators of the county. In February, 1885, he was married to Miss Frankie Laster, a daughter of Gen. Robert Laster of Johnson County, and by her has three children: Arthur, Airy Laster and Robert M. Mr. Snelson is the owner of one-half of the old homestead of Gen. Laster, his wife’s father, the place being equally divided between his wife and her sister, who is the wife of J. M. McPherson, they being the only heirs of the General. The land of which Mr. Snelson is the owner comprises 128 acres, and on the 100 acres that are under cultivation, he raises cotton and corn. He is a wide-awake and pushing gentleman, and has won a reputation for thoroughness that is second to none in the county. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are liberal in the giving of their means to worthy causes.