Joseph Snider, born April 12, 1843 in Thornton, Taylor County, (W)Va., was the son of William Snider (1818-1885) and Mary Ellen Bunner (1810-1880). When he was 19 years old, he was mustered into the United States Army as a private in Company H, 12th Regiment of Virginia Volunteer Infantry on August 16, 1862. He was discharged from the 12th Regiment on February 18, 1863 at Winchester on account of disability received in service. After he regained his health, Joseph re-enlisted on August 28, 1864 and served in Company C, 6th Regiment West Virginia Cavalry. He served his country through the end of the rebellion and was mustered out at Washington, D.C. on May 19th, 1865.

     Joseph was 24 when he married Elizabeth Moore, 18, on January 5, 1868. Their thirteen children were:

Ida Virginia Snider (1868-1872)
Alpheus Wilson Snider (1870-1872)
Burton Elwood Snider (1873-1874)
John William Snider (1875-1956)
Rev. Dr. Charles Alphra Snider (1876-1968)
David Lawrence Snider (1878-1934)
Mary Eleanor Snider (1879-1957)
Amos Snider (1881-1881)
Infant Snider (1882-1883)
Martin Luther Snider (1883-1981)
Arthur Edmondson Snider (1885-1927)
Grace May Snider (1887-1977)
Maude Belle Snider (1888-1905)

     Joseph spent much of his life farming, took an interest in school affairs and was President of the Board of Education of Fetterman district, Taylor County, W.Va. He was an active member in the Methodist Episcopal church, holding membership at the Bethel church.

     Joseph Snider died of heart disease on April 2, 1920 (age 76) at Grafton, W.Va. and is buried at Bethel Cemetery, near Grafton.