Joseph Alvy Snowdall1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 19517, (1876 - 1966)
FatherJoseph Snowdall5,6,3 (1841 - 1878)
MotherMary A. Glover4,3 (1846 - 1881)

Key Events:

Birth: 30 Dec 1876, Edwards Co., Illinois7,8,9,10
Marriage: 10 Aug 1898, Edwards Co., Illinois, Mable Bowers (Dec 1877 - Sep 1904)11,12
Marriage: 28 Jan 1908, Sandusky Co., Ohio, Ethel Maud Gordon (25 Feb 1885 - 22 May 1935)13,14,15
Death: 196616
Burial: Elmwood Cemetery, Coin, Page Co., Iowa17

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Joseph Alvy Snowdall was born on 30 Dec 1876 in Edwards Co., Illinois.7,8,9,10 Joseph appeared with his mother, Mary A. Glover, on the 1880 Federal Census of Edwards Co., Illinois, in the household of Eliza [surname unknown], his grandmother.18
     Joseph married first Mable Bowers on 10 Aug 1898 in Edwards Co., Illinois.11,12
     Joseph and Mable Bowers appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Edwards Co., Illinois, enumerated 15 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their farm, which was mortgaged. Nina Snowdall, a three-year-old niece, was listed as living with them.19
     His wife died in Sep 1904.20,21
     Joseph married second Ethel Maud Gordon, daughter of John Gordon and Sophia Katherine Snur, on 28 Jan 1908 in Sandusky Co., Ohio, with Rev. J. H. Hollingsworth, pastor of the Baptist Church in Clyde, Ohio, officating.13,14,15
     Joseph adopted Douglas Gorden Snowdall before 1910, whether formally or not is unknown. Douglas consistently used the Snowdall surname after that. His birth parents are unknown, but since he was born in Ethel's hometown, which was quite distant from any place Joseph is known to have lived, it seems likely he was her son or the son of a relative of hers.22,23,24
     Joseph and Ethel apparently lived in Kansas for a time after their marriage, as their first son was born there. Then moved to Missouri by 1910. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of West Elm, Putnam Co., Missouri, enumerated 27 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their farm, which was mortgaged. Their son Joseph was listed as living with them, as were his daughter by his prior marriage, Vera, and his adopted son, Douglas.25
     Joseph and Ethel moved their family to Iowa about 1912, settling near Randolph.26,27 They appeared on the 1915 State Census of Riverside Twp., Fremont Co., Iowa, reporting that they did not own their home. Their children Joseph, Wava, Clifford and Helen were listed as living with them, as was his adopted son Douglas. He reported that he was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, while she reported affiliation with the Baptist Church.28,29,30,31,32
     Joseph registered for the draft for World War I on 12 Sep 1918, while living at Randolph, Fremont Co., Iowa, reporting he was a self-employed farmer.2
     Joseph and Ethel appeared on the 1925 State Census of Tarkio, Page Co., Iowa. Their children Joseph, Wava, Clifford, Helen, Robert, Marguerite, Winfred, Mildred and John were listed as living with them.33
     Joseph and Ethel appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Morton Twp., Page Co., Iowa, enumerated 21 Apr 1930, reporting that they were renting their farm and did not own a radio. Their children Clifford, Helen, Robert, Marguerite, Winfred, Mildred, John, Myron and James were listed as living with them.34
     Ethel died on 22 May 1935 in Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa.35,36,37
     Joseph appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Coin, Page Co., Iowa, enumerated 3 May 1940, reporting he was renting his home, for $7 per month. His children Mildred, John, Myron and James were listed as living with him, with Grace shown as married and her name as Grace Ludington. The reported they had lived in the same town in 1935.38
     He was a farmer on his own farm in Illinois and Missouri. He was a farm hand after moving to Iowa, reporting he had earned $420 in 1914. He was operating a farm again, on rented property, by 1930.19,25,28,39,40 He was a common laborer, working for the W.P.A in 1940. He reported he had worked 8 hours the last week of March, and 36 weeks the prior year, earning $525. He reported in the 1950 census he was a farmer, and had worked 14 hours the prior week.38,41
     Joseph appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Ellery, Edwards Co., Illinois, at Mitchell Rd., enumerated 11 Apr 1950, listed as a boarder in the home of James M. Woodham and his wife Esabella, both 77 years old, and apparently not relationed to him.42
     Joseph died in 1966.16 He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Coin, Page Co., Iowa.17

Children:
     Children with Mable Bowers:

  • Vera I. Snowdall25,43 (25 Oct 1900 - Apr 1973)
  • Harold Alva Snowdall44 (1 Jun 1904 - 13 Dec 1986)

Children:
     Children with Ethel Maud Gordon

Douglas was adopted by Joseph; his mother seems to have been Ethel or a relative of hers.22,23,24
  • Douglas Gorden Snowdall25 (18 Jun 1904 - 27 Mar 1980)
  • Joseph Dean Snowdall25,33 (6 Dec 1908 - 25 Mar 1981)
  • Wava P. Snowdall45,33 (1910 - 2008)
  • Clifford O. Snowdall46,33,34 (6 Sep 1912 - 7 Jul 1971)
  • Helen Angela Snowdall47,33,48 (4 Jul 1914 - 9 Dec 2000)
  • Robert Melvin Snowdall33,34 (23 May 1916 - 20 May 1991)
  • Marguerite Eileen Snowdall33,34,49 (20 May 1918 - 10 Apr 1999)
  • Winfred Iris Snowdall33,34,50 (13 Jul 1920 - 2 Oct 1997)
  • Mildred Grace Snowdall33,34,51 (5 Aug 1922 - 24 Nov 1991)
  • John R. Snowdall33,34,38 (4 May 1924 - 24 Nov 1975)
  • Myron Jerome Snowdall34,38,52 (19 Jan 1928 - 22 Sep 1988)
  • James Arthur Snowdall34,38,53 (27 Dec 1929 - 10 Oct 1998)

Citations

  1. [S5480] Eliza Gloover household, 1880 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows name as Alva Snowdall.
  2. [S5479] Joseph Alvy Snowdall, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
  3. [S7313] Joseph Alvy Snowdall and Ethel Maud Gordon, marriage record.
  4. [S5480] Eliza Gloover household, 1880 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows her as daughter and him as grandson of head of household, and both with surname Snowdall.
  5. [S5481] Joseph Snodle household, 1870 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows the father as evidently husband of the child's mother.
  6. [S5480] Eliza Gloover household, 1880 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows the father's widow as mother of the child.
  7. [S7313] Joseph Alvy Snowdall and Ethel Maud Gordon, marriage record, shows he was age 31 on 30 Dec 1907, county, and state.
  8. [S5479] Joseph Alvy Snowdall, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, shows date, with year as 1876.
  9. [S5480] Eliza Gloover household, 1880 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows age 4 and state.
  10. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 54834565, Joseph A Snowdall, shows year, as 1877, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  11. [S3900] "Illinois County Marriages, 1810-1934," FamilySearch.org, record for Joseph Alvy Snowdall and Mabel Bowers, citing FHL # 1401779, shows date, county, and state.
  12. [S5468] Alvie Snowdall household, 1900 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows married one year.
  13. [S7313] Joseph Alvy Snowdall and Ethel Maud Gordon, marriage record, shows date, county, and officiant.
  14. [S5467] Joseph A. Snowdall household, 1910 U.S. Census, Putnam Co., Missouri, shows married 2 years, his second and her first marriage.
  15. [S5476] J. A. Snowdahl household, 1925 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Tarkio, shows married, and as marriage of parents for the children, state.
  16. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 54834565, Joseph A Snowdall, shows year, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  17. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 54834565, Joseph A Snowdall, includes tombstone photo.
  18. [S5480] Eliza Gloover household, 1880 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois.
  19. [S5468] Alvie Snowdall household, 1900 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois.
  20. [S7316] Harper, "Re: Mable (Maybell) Bowers Snowdall," e-mail to author, 12 Jan 2016, shows month and year.
  21. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 56977592, Mabel Bowers Snowdall, shows year, as 1901, based on "a book at the Edwards County Historical Society" according to owner.
  22. [S5467] Joseph A. Snowdall household, 1910 U.S. Census, Putnam Co., Missouri, shows Douglas as the son of Joseph, but shows his father and mother as born in Michigan, while Joseph was born in Illinois. Shows Ethel as the mother of two, with the number living omitted, and the boy as born 3 years before their marriage.
  23. [S7317] "Lshowen1,: "Douglas Snowdall," e-mail to author, 11 Jan 2016, states "I've heard that he was adopted by Joseph Snowdall"; in second message same date and subject states "it's my understanding that no one knew who his father was his mother wouldn't talk about it"; and in third message "Douglas" 12 Jan 2016, states "he talked about not knowing his father."
  24. [S7311] Barbara Rose Snowdall, Standard Certificate of Death, shows Douglas's birth place as Elmira, Michigan.
  25. [S5467] Joseph A. Snowdall household, 1910 U.S. Census, Putnam Co., Missouri.
  26. [S5469] Joseph Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp., shows he had been in Iowa 3 years.
  27. [S5470] Ethel Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp., shows she had been in Iowa 3 years.
  28. [S5469] Joseph Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp.
  29. [S5470] Ethel Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp.
  30. [S5471] Douglas Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp.
  31. [S5472] Dean Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp.
  32. [S5473] Wava Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp.
  33. [S5476] J. A. Snowdahl household, 1925 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Tarkio.
  34. [S5477] Joseph A. Snowdall household, 1930 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa.
  35. [S5522] Ethel Snowdall, Standard Certificate of Death, shows date, city, and county.
  36. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 54834584, Ethel M Snowdall, shows year, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  37. [S5478] Joseph Snowdall household, 1940 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows her husband as widowed.
  38. [S5478] Joseph Snowdall household, 1940 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa.
  39. [S5476] J. A. Snowdahl household, 1925 Iowa State Census, Page Co., Iowa, Tarkio, shows him "engaged in agriculture."
  40. [S5477] Joseph A. Snowdall household, 1930 U.S. Census, Page Co., Iowa, shows occupation as farmer, industry as general farm.
  41. [S12894] James M. Woodham household, 1950 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois, shows occupation as farmer and industry as farm.
  42. [S12894] James M. Woodham household, 1950 U.S. Census, Edwards Co., Illinois.
  43. [S3900] "Illinois County Marriages, 1810-1934," FamilySearch.org, record for James J. Graham and Vera I. Snowdall, citing FHL #1401780 and p 85.
  44. [S7316] Harper, "Re: Mable (Maybell) Bowers Snowdall," e-mail to author, 12 Jan 2016.
  45. [S5473] Wava Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp., shows her in same location, and with sequentially numbered cards with her parents and older siblings.
  46. [S5474] Clifford Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp., shows him in same location, and with sequentially numbered cards with his parents and older siblings.
  47. [S5475] Helen Snowdall card, 1915 Iowa State Census, Freemont Co., Iowa, Riverside Twp., shows her in same location, and with sequentially numbered cards with her parents and older siblings.
  48. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Helen Angela Hixson, Soc. Sec. No. 481-64-0033.
  49. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Marguerite Eil Wood, Soc. Sec. No. 483-10-3056.
  50. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Winifred Iris Murphy, Soc. Sec. No. 480-32-7608.
  51. [S885] "California Death Index, 1940-1997," Ancestry.com, record for Grace M Bernierl, Soc. Sec. No. 480185316, shows father's surname as Snowdall.
  52. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for Myron Jerome Snowdall, Soc. Sec. No. 479-26-6312.
  53. [S1500] "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," Ancestry.com, record for James Arthur Snowdall, Soc. Sec. No. 479-28-8925.