Edna's father, Gilbert Spencer Snow

Edna's father Gilbert Spencer Snow came to Knox County in the spring of 1857 from Williams County, Ohio, and the following autumn went to Neosho Valley, Kansas where he resided for 2 years. He returned to Knox County in June 1857, and settled in Rio Township and in the spring of 1864 bought 40 acres, lying in section 18, upon which he built his home and farm buildings. By 1886 his farm covered 130 acres.

Mr. Snow was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., August 10, 1833 and died in Rio, IL Feb 17, 1908. At age 2 his parents moved to Crawford County, Pa., where they lived 10 years then moved to Williams County, Ohio, then to Knox County IL in 1857.

His parents were Sylvester 1791-1866 and Polly (Reed) Snow 1794-1861, natives of New York. On the paternal side Mr. Snow was French and English origin, and on the maternal side German-English. He was the ninth in order of birth of a family of 10 children, eight boys and two girls.

Above: Edna's paternal grandfather Sylvester Snow.

Above: Edna's paternal grandmother, Polly Reed Snow.

In Knoxville IL on August 30, 1862 Gilbert married Martha Melinda Sperry, daughter of Moses Sperry 1813-1875 and Sally (Chaffee) Sperry1815-1864. Moses and Sally Chaffe are buried in the old section of Henderson Cemetery. Martha was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 29, 1846, and died in Rio, IL Aug 24, 1933.

Above: Edna's maternal grandfather, Moses Sperry

Above: Edna's maternal grandmother, Sally Chaffee Sperry

Gilbert and Martha Snow had 4 children: Celia Lurena b. Jul 1863, d. 2 Aug 1947; Sylvester C. b. 28 Feb 1866, d. 15 Nov 1867; William Douglas b. 24 Nov 1870, d. 28 Apr 1944; and Edna Irene b. 6 Apr 1878, d. 4 Oct 1959.

Celia married Franklin Mead b. 23 Jun 1861, d. 19 Apr 1916, the son of George Mead and Alvira (Proctor). William married Mary Agnes Hurst b. 18 Jan 1877, d. 11 Sep 1955, the daughter of John C. Hurst and Agnes (Murdock). Edna married James Howard Harriman b. 3 Mar 1873, d. 12 Aug 1925, the son of Samuel Harriman and Mary Elizabeth (Stevens).

Gilbert Spencer Snow was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Secretary of Horeb Chapter, No. 4, and Worshipful Master of Rio Lodge, No. 685, A.F. & A.M. He was the School Director and Trustee, and held the office of Commissioner of Highways.

Gilbert and Martha Snow are buried in the Rio Cemetery along with their infant son Sylvester, daughter Celia Mead and husband Franklin Mead, and daughter Edna Harriman and her husband James Howard Harriman. Gilbert and Martha’s son William Douglas Snow is buried in the Oneida Cemetery along with his wife Mary Agnes and their children William Ralph Snow, Robert E. Snow, Mary Alta Snow, and Arthur Gilbert Snow.