a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, devoted his time and means liberally to the recruiting and organization of regiments for service in the field, and procuring supplies for the sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1868 and '70, serving, during his last term, as Speaker. In 1877 he was appointed by Governor Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, of which body he served as President until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popularity. Died, March 25, 1886. SMITH, William Sooy, soldier and civil engineer, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 22, 1830; graduated at Ohio University in 1849, and, at the United States Military Academy, in 1853, having among his classmates, at the latter, Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheridan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he first found employment as an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assistant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer service on the lakes; a year later took charge of a select school in Buffalo; in 1857 made the first surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara Falls, then went into the service of extensive locomotive and bridge-works at Trenton, N. J., in their interest making a visit to Cuba, and also superintending the construction of a bridge across the Savannah River. The war intervening, he returned North and was appointed LieutenantColonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adjutant-General at Camp Denison, Ohio, but, in June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the West Virginia campaigns, and later, at Shiloh and Perryville. In April, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in the Vicksburg campaign, as commander of the First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry Department, serving on the staffs of Grant and Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on account of impaired health. During the war General Smith rendered valuable service to the Union cause in great emergencies, by his knowledge of engineering. On retiring to private life he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since has been employed by the Government on some of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and has also planned several of the most important railroad bridges across the Missouri and other streams. He has been much consulted in refer. ence to municipal engineering, and his name is connected with a number of the gigantic edifices in Chicago. SMITHBORO, a village and railroad junction in Bond County, 3 miles east of Greenville. Population, 393. SNAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livingston County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois with his father when 11 years old, and, having read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty years before entering public life. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in that body until his election, in 1871, to the Fortysecond Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 1895. SNOW, Herman W., ex-Congressman, was born in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for five years, while yet in his minority becoming a resident of Illinois. For several years he was a school teacher, meanwhile studying law and being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, rising to the rank of Captain. His term of service having expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois, and was mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago High School, and later served in the General Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Woodford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in Congress, but was defeated by his Republican opponent in 1892. SNOW HOOK, William B., first Collector of Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804; at the age of eight years was brought to New York, where he learned the printer's trade, and worked for some time in the same office with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to the United States, began the study of law; was also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836, came to Chicago, and was soon after associated with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader in the Democratic party, and, in 1846, received from President Polk an appointment as first Collector of Customs for Chicago (having previously served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while attached to the District of Detroit); in 1853, was re-appointed to the Collectorship by President Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon War" (1844) he organized and equipped, at his own expense, the Montgomery Guards, and was commissioned Colonel, but the disturbances were brought to an end before the order to march. From 1856 he devoted his attention chiefly to his practice, but, in 1862, was one of the Democrats of Chicago who took part in a movement to sustain the Government by stimulating enlistments; was also a member of the Convention which nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. Died, in Chicago, May 5, 1882. SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, Pa., Oct. 6, 1799. In early life he followed the occupation of wool-curling for a livelihood, attending school in the winter. In 1815, he emigrated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, Ill. Being offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling mill at Cahokia, he removed thither in 1817. He formed the friendship of Judge Jesse B. Thomas, and, through the latter's encouragement and aid, studied law and gained a solid professional, political, social and financial position. In 1830- he was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, and re-elected for two successive terms. He served through the Black Hawk War as private, Adjutant and Captain. In 1833 he removed to Belleville, and, in 1834, was defeated for Congress by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Democratic nominee for Governor. The election was held in August, 1842, but, in May preceding, he died at his home in Belleville. His place on the ticket was filled by Thomas Ford, who was elected.-William H. (Snyder), son of the preceding, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., July 12, 1825; educated at McKendree College, studied law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was admitted to practice in 1845; also served for a time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, during the Mexican War, as First-Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 1850 to '54 he represented his county in the Legislature; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Matteson, State's Attorney, which position he filled for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Secretary of State in 1856, and, in 1857, was elected a Judge of the Twentyfourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir cuit in '73, 79 and '85. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892. SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State charitable institution, founded by act of the Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, Adams County. The object of its establishment was to provide a comfortable home for such disabled or dependent veterans of the United States land or naval forces as had honorably served during the Civil War. It was opened for the reception of veterans on March 3, 1887, the first cost of site and buildings having been about $350,000. The total num ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 2,813; the number in attendance during the two previous years 988, and the whole number present on Nov. 10, 1894, 1,088. The value of property at that time was $393,636.08. Considerable appropriations have been made for additions to the buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla ture. The General Government pays to the State $100 per year for each veteran supported at the Home. SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME, ILLINOIS, an institution, created by act of 1865, for the maintenance and education of children of deceased soldiers of the Civil War. An eighty-acre tract. one mile north of Normal, was selected as the site, and the first principal building was completed and opened for the admission of beneficiaries on June 1, 1869. Its first cost was $135,000, the site having been donated. Repairs and the construction of new buildings, from time to time, have considerably increased this sum. 1875 the benefits of the institution were extended, by legislative enactment, to the children of soldiers who had died after the close of the war. The aggregate number of inmates, in 1894, was 572, of whom 323 were males and 249 females. In SOLDIERS' WIDOWS' HOME. Provision was made for the establishment of this institution by the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, in an act, approved, June 13, 1895, appropriating $20,000 for the purchase of a site, the erection of buildings and furnishing the same. It is designed for the reception and care of the mothers, wives, widows and daughters of such honorably discharged soldiers or sailors, in the United States service, as may have died, or may be physically or mentally unable to provide for the families naturally dependent on them, provided that such persons have been residents of the State for at least one year previous to admission, and are without means or ability for self-support. The affairs of the Home are managed by a board of five trustees, of whom two are men and three women, the former to be members of the Grand Army of the Republic and of different political parties, and the latter members of the Women's Relief Corps of this State. The institution was located at Wilmington, occupying a site of seventeen acres, where it was formally opened in a house of eighteen rooms, March 11, 1896, with twenty-six applications for admittance. The plan contemplates an early enlargement by the erection of additional cottages. SORENTO, a village of Bond County, at the intersection of the Joliet & St. Louis and the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railways, 14 miles southeast of Litchfield; has a bank and a newspaper. Its interests are agricultural. Population (1890), 538. SOULARD, James Gaston, pioneer, born of French ancestry in St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1798; resided there until 1821, when, having married the daughter of a soldier of the Revolution, he received an appointment at Fort Snelling, near the present city of St. Paul, then under command of Col. Snelling, who was his wife's brother-inlaw. The Fort was reached after a tedious journey by flat-boat and overland, late in the fall of 1821, his wife accompanying him. Three years later they returned to St. Louis, where, being an engineer, he was engaged for several years in surveying. In 1827 he removed with his family to Galena, for the next six years had charge of a store of the Gratiot Brothers, early business men of that locality. Towards the close of this period he received the appointment of County Recorder, also holding the position of County Surveyor and Postmaster of Galena at the same time. His later years were devoted to farming and horticulture, his death taking place, Sept. 17, 1878. Mr. Soulard was probably the first man to engage in freighting between Galena and Chicago. "The Galena Advertiser" of Sept. 14, 1829, makes mention of a wagon-load of lead sent by him to Chicago, his team taking back a load of salt, the paper remarking: "This is the first wagon that has ever passed from the Mississippi River to Chicago." Great results were predicted from the exchange of commodities between the lake and the lead mine district. Mrs. Eliza M. Hunt (Soulard), wife of the preceding, was born at Detroit, Dec. 18, 1804, her father being Col. Thomas A. Hunt, who had taken part in the Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the army until his death, at St. Louis, in 1807. His descendants have maintained their connection with the - army ever since, a son being a prominent artillery officer at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Soulard was married at St. Louis, in 1820, and survived her husband some sixteen years, dying at Galena, August 11, 1894. She had resided in Galena nearly seventy years, and at the date of her death, in the 90th year of her age, she was that city's oldest resident. SOUTH CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad.) SOUTH DANVILLE, a suburb of the city of Danville, Vermilion County. Population (1890), 799. SOUTHEAST & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See Louisville & Nashville Railroad.) SOUTH ELGIN, a village of Kane County, near the city of Elgin. Population (1890), 505. SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, located at Albion, Edwards County, incorporated in 1891; had a faculty of ten teachers with 219 pupils (1897-98)—about equally male and femåle. Besides classical, scientific, normal, music and fine arts departments, instruction is given in preparatory studies and business education. Its property is valued at $16,500. SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, located at Anna, Union County, founded by act of the Legislature in 1869. The original site comprised 290 acres and cost a little more than $22,000, of which one-fourth was donated by citizens of the county. The construction of buildings was begun in 1869, but it was not until March, 1875, that the north wing (the first completed) was ready for occupancy. Other portions were completed a year later. The Trustees purchased 160 additional acres in 1883. The first cost (up to September, 1876) was nearly $635,000. In 1881 one wing of the main building was destroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt; the patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary wooden barracks. The total value of lands and buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 1894, was estimated at $738,580, and, of property of all sorts, at $833,700. The wooden barracks were later converted into a permanent ward, additions made to the main buildings, a detached building for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, numerous outbuildings put up and general improvements made. A second fire on the night of Jan. 3, 1895, destroyed a large part of the main building, inflicting a loss upon the State of $175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by the Legislature of that year. The institution has capacity for about 750 patients. |