CHARLES EDWARD SNOOK
CHARLES EDWARD SNOOK, Justice of the Peace, of Oakland
township, was born in San Francisco, February 19, 1863, a son of William S. and
Susan Helen (Laughran) Snook, both still living, in 1890. The father, born in
New York city October 10, 1826, learned the trade of tinner and came to
California in 1849, bringing some goods and the tools of his craft. His
brother, John B. Snook, an architect of some note in New York city, born in
1815, is still living, hale and hearty, in 1890. Grandfather James Snook and
his wife (nee Sayer), born in England, came to America soon after their
marriage, and settled in New York city, and then moved to a farm in New Jersey.
They afterward moved to Michigan, settling at Mount Clemens, where they resided
fifteen years; then returned to New York city, where they died, the husband
aged fifty-eight and the wife over seventy-eight. William S. And his brother,
George A., also a tinner, came out together by way of Cape Horn, and opened a
shop in San Francisco, July 4, 1849, keeping together about thirty-three years,
and doing a considerable business, but sustaining also considerable loss by
fire and the usual vicissitudes of business. About 1880 the father took into
partnership two of his sons, George Whitfield and Frederick William, under the
style of William S. Snook & Sons, and still later as William S. Snook &
Son, George W. now being a resident of Tacoma. Another son, James Athern, is in
business in San Francisco, of the firm of Taylor & Snook. The sisters are:
- Susan Helen, a teacher in the Cole school, Oakland; Jennie M., the wife of
Otis M. Tupper, bookkeeper in the First National Bank of San Jose; May D., a
teacher in Piedmont; and Emily C., residing with her parents in this city,
where the family has resided since 1865. The mother, born in Vermont, a
daughter of Patrick and Mary (King) Laughran, came with her father and sister
across the plains in 1852 to Oregon, and thence by steamer to San Francisco,
where she was married, November 5, 1854. Grandfather Laughran died in middle
life, and the grandmother survived him many years, dying in Oakland at the age
of sixty-five.
In 1855 Mr. Snook removed to Oakland, where he built a home for his
family and has since resided. He was appointed one of the pioneer Board of
Education by the council of that city, and was subsequently elected to the same
position by the voters of Oakland. He has for a number of years taken a
prominent interest in educational matters in the “City of Oaks,” and was mainly
instrumental in building the first schoolhouse in that city west of Market
street, on the site now occupied by the Prescott School. In 1869-70 he was
chosen to represent the first ward in the City Council, and two years later re
elected to the same position by a vote that showed how much his efforts were
appreciated by his constituents. Mr. Snook is a life member of the Society of
California Pioneers, and has always been ardently attached to that honorable
association. He is also a member of Alcatraz Lodge, No. 244, F.&A.M., and
the Legion of Honor. He was one of the organizers of the mechanics’ Institute,
and was for years a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department, being
connected with Sansome Hook and Ladder Company. He enjoys to-day the
distinction of being the oldest plumber and gas-fitter in the city of San Francisco,
being the only one of the old originals of ’49 now engaged in active business.
Charles E. Snook, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the
schools of this city, including grammar and high school, and at the age of
sixteen took the position of clerk in a grocery store, becoming late its chief
buyer. He retained that position until January 1, 1886, meanwhile reading law
evenings and spare hours, under S.P. Hall. He was admitted to the bar of the
Supreme Court on examination, February 1, 1886, and entered the law office of
Loewenthal & Sutter, San Francisco, remaining nine months. He then became a
partner in the law firm of Sutter & Snook, and was engaged in general
practice until his election as Justice of the Peace of Oakland township in 1888,
and subsequent entrance on the discharge of his duties, January 1, 1889. Mr.
Snook is a member of the Oakland Parlor, No. 50, N.S.G.W., was President of
this parlor form July 7, 1886, to January 5, 1887; and has been four times it
representative to the Grand Parlor; Past Master Workman of Pacific Lodge, No.
7, A.O.U.W., and a member of University Lodge, I.O.O.F. He has been secretary
of the Central City Committee of the Republican party and a member of the State
Committee of the same. He was nominated by the county convention of his party,
in 1890, to be his own successor, as a reward for faithful service in the
discharge of official duties.
Justice Snook was married in Oakland, February 21, 1889, to Miss
Jennie A. Wade, born in San Francisco, February 21, 1869.