Santa
Clara County
Biographies
ROBERT
SNOOK
ROBERT SNOOK. Prominent among the early and honored
settlers of San Jose was the late Robert Snook, a man of ability, financial
integrity, and sterling character.
Coming to California is search of fame and fortune in 1849, he met with
unquestioned success in his business operations and investments, by wise
management and persistency of purpose acquiring large wealth, and becoming the
owner of valuable property in both San Francisco and San Jose. He was born in Portsmouth, England, reared in
New York City, and spent his last years in San Jose, his death, January 1,
1894, being a cause of general regret.
His father, Richard Snook, a native of Portsmouth, England, emigrated
from there to New York City with his family, and was there subsequently engaged
in mercantile pursuits until his death.
His wife, whose maiden name was Lillie White, was born in England, and
died in New York.
After completing his early studies at a
private school in New York City, Robert Snook became somewhat familiar with the
mercantile trade under his father’s instructions. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at
the trade of locksmith and gunsmith, and at the age of twenty-one years started
in business on his own account in New York.
In 1849, sailing around Cape Horn, he came to California, and spent a
year in mining for gold. His health
failing, he then spent a short time in San Francisco. In the fall of 1850 he went by way of Panama
to New York to visit his home and friends.
Returning to San Francisco the next year he established himself in
business as a ship chandler on Front street, remaining
there two years. Going again to New York
in the fall of 1853, he married the young lady to whom his troth was plighted,
and in 1854 came to California with his bride by way of Nicaragua, sailing from
New York to Grey Town on the Star of the West.
Locating in San Francisco, Mr. Snook opened a store of general
merchandise, and was there profitably employed in business for a number of
years. On account of ill health he
retired from active pursuits for awhile[sic], and in
1864 removed to San Jose. He retained
his real estate holdings in San Francisco, however, and to his estate property
still belongs which adjoins the Call
building, on Third street, in the heart of the business portion of the city,
its value having increased with the city’s growth.
On taking up his residence in San Jose,
Mr. Snook bought property on Devine street, and
also purchased the lot on the corner of Little Market and Bassett streets,
where he erected the Telescope Hotel, which has a frontage of sixty-two
feet. He acquired large property
interests in San Jose and vicinity, as well as in San Francisco, and was
numbered among the most prosperous citizens of Santa Clara county. He was a stanch[sic]
Republican in his political views, and was a valued member of the Free and
Accepted Order of Masons, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the
California Pioneer Society of San Francisco.
He died, as above mentioned, in San Jose, and his body was buried in the
San Francisco cemetery.
In New York City, in 1854,
Mr. Snook married Mary Scott, a native of that city, a daughter of William
Scott. Her paternal grandfather, Peter
Scott, a lifelong resident of Rhinebeck, N.Y., was of Holland Dutch ancestry,
and came of patriotic Revolutionary stock.
William Scott was born in Rhinebeck, N.Y., and during his earlier life
was an engineer in the United States navy.
In 1864 he migrated with his family to San Francisco, and there spent
the remainder of his life. His wife,
whose maiden name was Jane Hight, was born in New
Jersey, and died in Jersey City, that state.
She bore her husband five children, of whom Mary, now Mrs. Snook,
was the eldest child. Of the union of
Mr. and Mrs. Snook seven children were born, all of whom are
deceased: William R. died in San Jose, leaving one child, William E.
Snook; Robert J. died in San Francisco, aged thirty-five years;
Walter E., died in San Jose, aged thirty-four years; Edgar A. died in
this city, at the age of thirty-one years; Norman A. died in this city, in
1902, aged twenty-five years; Mary J. died when two years old; and
Eva E. died at the age of four months.
Mrs. Snook is a woman of exceptionally fine character, and is
everywhere respected and esteemed. She
is a faithful member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
[Inserted by D. Toole]
1854
Apr 22, New York Daily Tribune, P7, New York, New York
Married
Snook-Scott
– On Thursday, April 20, by the Rev. S. M. Haskins, Robert Snook, Esq. of San
Francisco, to Mary E., daughter of Wm. Scott, Esq. of Williamsburgh.
1894
Jan 2, Evening News, P4, San Jose, California
Robert
Snook, an old resident of Santa Clara county and a
California pioneer, died yesterday morning at his family residence, 69 Devine
street. The funeral takes place this
morning in San Francisco from the Pioneer Hall.
1897
Jan 28, San Francisco Chronicle, P12, San Francisco, California
Deaths
Snook
– In San Jose, January 26, Walter E., beloved son of Mary E. and the late
Robert E. Snook of San Jose, Cal., a native of California, aged 35 years and 2
months.
1902
Sep 20, San Francisco Chronicle, P12, San Francisco, California
Snook
– In San Jose, Cal., September 17, Norman Albert, beloved and last child
of Mrs. Mary E. Snook and the late Robert E. Snook, a native of San Jose, Cal.,
aged 24 years, 10 months and 17 days.
Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral
Monday, September 22, at 1 o’clock, from Pioneer Hall, Fourth street, between Market and Mission. Interment, Laurel Hill
Cemetery.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1012-1013. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.