Goodspeed's Biographies Goodspeed's History of Greene County -- 1887

H. J. Snapp

H. J. Snapp was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., October 1, 1843, and is the son of W. C. and A. E. Snapp. In September, 1851, he entered Jefferson Academy, of Sullivan County, and attended this institution eight winters, laboring on the farm during the summer seasons, and passing his youth without noteworthy event. In l859 he was placed under the control of Rev. J. J. Smith, of Shelbyville, Ind., who carefully directed his education for four years. In 1863 he returned to Knoxville, and was there employed by Fishel & Elsas, as clerk in their dry goods establishment, but in 1866 obtained a position as clerk with Stokes & Waters, Lebanon, Tenn., also in the dry goods business. Two years later (1868) be removed with this firm to Cherry Valley, Middle Tennessee, hut the following year (1869) returned to his father's house at Rheatown, Greene Co., Tenn. In 1870, he attended Laurel Hill Academy one term, and, in 1872, entered H. G. Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., from the business course of which institution he graduated in four months. He then returned to his father, whose health was beginning to fail with the approach of old age, to take charge of the farm, and continued thus four years. From 1876 to 1877, he was engaged in the brick business at Greeneville, Tenn., and in 1878 embarked in the family grocery business, with W. D. Culver as partner, the firm name being Snapp & Culver. In the fall of 1879, he bought out Mr. Culver, and is still continuing alone, having in 1888 added to his business a tannery and a boot, shoe, harness and saddle manufactory. He manufactures more leather than he can use, and ships it in the rough to Eastern cities. In 1886-87, he built,. under the supervision of J. F. Fields, architect, "Snapp's Opera House," the lower floor being used for stores, and the building being the most attractive in the place, and a credit to both owner and town.

April 30, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Lane, daughter of Thomas Lane, of Greeneville, which union has proven a very happy one, two bright boys, Earl and Clarence, having come to bless their parents. Earl is eight years old, and Clarence would have been four, had not God, for some wise purpose, seen proper last autumn to call him home.

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