George Sutton Snook (September 1, 1842 – July 31, 1894) was the sixth and twelfth President of the Chico Board of Trustees, the governing body of Chico, California from 1885 to 1886 and from 1892 to 1894.

Early life and family

Snook was born in Aurora, Indiana, on September 1, 1842, the son of Isaac Snook, a native of Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Sopris Snook. He was educated in Indiana in the trade of coopersmithing. He worked in this trade for three years before the American Civil War erupted.

Civil War military service

Snook was eighteen at the outbreak of the American Civil War, and in May 1861, he enlisted in Company C of the 12th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He served for ten months, and reenlisted in Company H of the

10th Regiment Indiana Cavalry The 10th Regiment Indiana Cavalry, also designated the 125th Indiana Regiment, was a Cavalry Regiment raised in southern Indiana to fight in the American Civil War. History The 10th Regiment Indiana Cavalry was organized at Columbus and Vincenne ...

under General Wilson. He participated in all the battles engaged by the Western army. He escaped injury, received several promotions, and when discharged at

Vicksburg Vicksburg most commonly refers to: * Vicksburg, Mississippi, a city in western Mississippi, United States * The Vicksburg Campaign, an American Civil War campaign * The Siege of Vicksburg, an American Civil War battle Vicksburg is also the name of ...

, in August, 1865, was Captain of his company.

Life after the war

After his service, he went to Illinois for three years where he engaged in farming. In 1868, he came to Chico, California where he was initially employed in the lumber industry. He was then engaged in an express business for seven years. On September 20, 1870, he was married to Miss Amanda Jane Sliger, a native of Missouri, who came to California in her girlhood. The same year, he purchased a home on the corner of Wall and Fourth streets. He enlisted in the Chico Guard, a unit of the 5th Brigade of the

California Militia The California National Guard is part of the National Guard of the United States, a dual federal-state military reserve force. The CA National Guard has three components: the CA Army National Guard, CA Air National Guard, and CA State Guard. ...

on November 10, 1880 as a Sergeant. In 1883, he entered into the

livery A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery will often have elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...

business with a partner. On December 10, 1883 he reenlisted in the Chico Guard. In December 1885, his establishment was destroyed by fire. He then formed a partnership with a Mr. White, continuing in the livery business. On April 23, 1886, he, again, reenlisted in the Chico Guard and again on December 10, 1886. He attained the rank of Captain and Aide-de-camp to the Commander of the 5th Brigade on March 7, 1887. He eventually attained the rank of Major of the Fifth Brigade and Brigade Inspector. In 1889 Mr. Clark, purchased Mr. White’s interest, and they continued in business until at least 1891. He is buried in the Chico Cemetery.

Associations

* First Commander of the Post, Grand Army of the Republic * Member, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States * Member,

Independent Order of Odd Fellows The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a non-political and non-sectarian international fraternal order of Odd Fellowship. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Evolving from the Order of Odd ...

* Member,

Ancient Order of United Workmen The Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) was a fraternal organization in the United States and Canada, providing mutual social and financial support after the American Civil War. It was the first of the "fraternal benefit societies", organizatio ...

* Member, Improved Order of Red Men * Member, Chico Volunteer Fire Department

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Snook, George Sutton 1842 births 1894 deaths American firefighters American militiamen California city council members Mayors of Chico, California People from Aurora, Indiana Union Army soldiers 19th-century American politicians Grand Army of the Republic officials