Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-08-06
OBITUARY.


| Captain William II. snowden, known
| to many Of the older residents of Glou-
cester County and to the readers of this
paper as the authorof Ancestral Days
which was but recently concluded, died
on Saturday afternoon at oclock, at his
home ID Arcturus, Fairfax County, Vir-
ginia. His funeral took place Yesterday,
interment being made at Arlington
National Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch, William Fl.
Snowden, was born eighty-four years ago
| III the County OF Gloucester His early
years were passed on his fathers farm,
but the bent Of his inclinations was the
requirement OF general knowledge and
the pursuit OF literature.
| For many years he was a teacher in
schools and academies in various states,
lecturing at the same on the natural
sciences which We're ever to him an I'M
failing delight. Geology was a life long
study with him. On this subject he has
written much, and he was engaged in
the second geological survey OF his native
State. In 1853 he came with his brothers,
Isaac and Stacy, to find a home in Vir-
ginia, but with the coming on of the war
between the states he returned to New
Jersey and there assisted in organizing a
company and regiment for the Union ser
vice. He served through the four years
| OF the conflict in the Sixth Army Corps
and was long time a prisoner in diff
ferent Southern prisons. For some time
be was held as a special hostage after the
raids of Sheridan. After the war he
made the tour OF Europe and finding
much relief from his late hardships he
returned to Virginia where at Arcturus,
on the Potomac, and part of the old
Mount Vernon estate, he has since resided
resided, devoting his time to farming,
literary pursuits and the general inn
provement OF bis neighhoiaood. He
was one Of the few who composed the
Ifrst meeting held ior the organization
OF the Republican party in New Jersey.
His life was checkered one IN the diff
ferent capacities OF farmer, teacher,
author, lecturer, surveyor, sailor, sol
der and Editor.
/ Mr.. snowden was most attentive
student OF nature and Of books. To the
study of the idiomatic construction OF
tho English language and the radical
derivation Of its words, requiring more
or less familiarity with ancient and mod
ern languages, he gave much application.
He had critical knowledge Of modern
and ancient history, and was particularly
conversant with the stirring events under
the rule Of Charles the First, the Crom-
wells and Charles the Second of England.
! His acquaintance with American Colo
NAL history was thorough. 4 ready and
pleasing writer, bis literary productions
found welcome space in newspapers and
magazines. Several published works at
test his fondness for Virginia and Mary
land local history Of which he was an
untiring cleaner. He wrote much on
New Jersey history also. His last work,
" The History Of the Colonization Of
West New Jersey" has just been pub
Ilshed. The religious ideas Of Captain
snowden were Of the broadest and most
liberal type, recognizing as they did
conscientiousIy and practically, and
without tincture Of sectarian bias, or
church creed, the "iatherhood Of God
and the brotherhood Of man. -