Charles C. Sniteman, 1851

Posted4U@Charter.net on Fri, 16 Feb 2001

Surname: SNITEMAN, MYERS

Biographical Sketch of from the 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

Charles C. Sniteman

CHARLES C. SNITEMAN, proprietor of the Mammoth Silver Front Store in Neillsville, the largest drug store in Clark County, carrying a full and complete supply of drugs and sundries, including stationary, wall paper, periodicals, etc., was born in New York State Sept. 17, 1851. His father died when he was young and from his early youth he has been dependent upon his own resources. His school days were passed at Peoria, Ill., and largely before the days of free schools, but he continued for a while after the introduction of the free education laws. When it became time for him to choose a vocation in life, he decided upon pharmacy, and after the usual course of study was graduated in 1871 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.

He then located in Peoria, Ill., for the practice of his profession, and remained there for some seven or eight years. On Jan. 15, 1879, he came to Neillsville, Wis., to manage the store of Henry Myers, and also to seek health among the pine woods of Clark County, the latter, indeed, being the chief reason for his coming here. In a short time he bought out the interest of Henry Myers, forming a partnership with Isaiah Myers, a brother of Henry. A year later he bought out this partner also, and has continued here as sole proprietor of the business, having occupied the same location since 1879, a period of thirty-eight years. The business, however, was incorporated in 1891, under the state laws, and is known as the C. C. Sniteman Company.

As a business man, Mr. Sniteman has been highly successful and through honesty and enterprise has gained a wide patronage, some of his patrons having traded with him for many years. He has never sought or held political office. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic order, which he joined at Peoria, Ill., when 21 years old, and being now a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Neillsville, and is a member of the Business Club. Formerly he was secretary and director of the Neillsville Furniture Company and treasurer of the old Lighting Company that went out of business.

At the present time, aside from his drug business, he is treasurer of the Neillsville Opera House and contributed largely to its construction and financing. Mr. Sniteman was at one time a member of the state militia of Illinois, and later, after coming to this state, served fifteen years on the staff of the colonel of the Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, as hospital steward, serving on the non-commissioned staff. At the breaking out of the Spanish-American War he reported as ready for duty, but was rejected on account of rheumatism. He stands high in Neillsville as a successful business man and a loyal citizen.