San
Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIS SPENCER SNEDIGAR, M. D.
A native son who became very efficient and prominent in
his profession was the late Willis Spencer Snedigar, who was born near Oakdale, Stanislaus County, on November 4, 1867. He
was a son of Thomas Fielding Snedigar,
who came to California
when a young man, crossing the plains with Thomas and Lucinda Richardson, the
latter being Mr. Snedigar’s
aunt. He resided with them until he started for himself, when he was
married to Miss California Dodson. For a time he followed teaming and
freighting, and as soon as he had means purchased land and also began
farming. Acquiring more land, he quit teaming and bent all his energy to
ranching in which he was very successful, becoming a large landowner and a
success financier. He was very liberal and enterprising, being known for
his progress and kindheartedness. He and his wife passed away at their
home, a highly esteemed pioneer couple.
Willis Spencer Snedigar,
the oldest of their family, was educated in the public schools in his district
and at Woodbridge
College. Having
chosen the profession of medicine, he entered Cooper Medical
College, where he pursued
the regular course and was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. First
locating at Newman, he practiced there for a short time; but desiring a larger
field he soon located in Stockton,
where he became very successful as a practicing physician and surgeon,
continuing in his profession actively until his death, June 10, 1910. He
was a member of the County, State, and American Medical Associations, and a
member of Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W.
Dr. Snedigar was married at
Woodbridge in
1890 to Miss Mary Ann Sollinger,
a native daughter, born March 17, 1869, a daughter of J. A. and Barbara J. Sollinger, whose biography
appears on another page in this history. Mary Ann was their only child,
and was reared on the ranch at Woodbridge.
After completing the public school she entered Woodbridge College,
where she was graduated. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar purchased a ranch adjoining the Sollinger place, which was
improved to vineyard and is now the property of their daughter Beatrice, Mrs.
C. G. Welch. Mrs. Snedigar
was a woman of pleasing personality, her affability endearing her to all who
knew her, and at her passing, August 26, 1914, she was
mourned by her family and a wide circle of friends. She was a member of
the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar were members of the United Brethren
Church, and contributed
liberally to its benevolences.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
720. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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