Mr. Blize was an advocate of republican principles and was loyal in his support of its candidates and measures. He served on the school board for a considerable period and was also county commissioner, in which connection he made an excellent record. He belonged to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, and was well known in local fraternal circles. The signal measure of success which he gained is double creditable in that he made his own way from the early age of ten years. He thoroughly identified his interests with those of this section and was always glad that he decided to make his home here, for he believed that the opportunities for advancement are greater in the Pacific northwest than in other sections of the country.
GEORGE H. SNELL.
George H. Snell, president of the Walla Walla Construction Company, manufacturers of brick and tile, and also the second vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank, has through his important business connections contributed in substantial measure to the development, progress and upbuilding of the city in which he makes his home.
He was born in Niles, Cook county, Illinois, December 8, 1853, and is a son of Hamlet B. and Clarissa A. (Odell) Snell, the former a native of Syracuse, New York, while the latter was born in Cook county, Illinois, where they were married, the father having removed westward to Chicago with his parents when a lad of eight years. After his marriage he engaged in farming in Cook county, Illinois, and subsequently in Lake county, Indiana, about fifty miles from Chicago. He devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits with good success, winning a competence that enabled him at length to live retired. He then removed to Chicago, where his death occurred in 1913, when he had reached the age of eighty-seven years. His wife passed away in 1874 and later he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine McCarthy, who was called to her final rest in 1910. There were four children born of the first marriage.
George H. Snell whose name introduces this review spent his youthful days with his parents and acquired his education in the public schools of Chicago. He remained at home until he had reached his eighteenth year, making himself useful along various lines but then entered upon an apprenticeship to the lathing and plastering trade, with which he was identified for forty years. In 1878 he came west, making his way first to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to which point he traveled by rail, and thence continued the journey through to Walla Walla by wagon and team. He was three months and ten days in making the journey across the plains. At that time the Indians were on the warpath but his party was fortunate in escaping trouble with the red men and they reached the Walla Walla valley unharmed. After arriving at his destination Mr. Snell took up the work of contracting in lathing and plastering and also in cement work and was prominently identified with activities of that character until recent years. He became one of the dominant factors in the building trades of Walla Walla, large demand being made upon his time and energies in connection with his chosen occupation. In 1904 he organized and incorporated the Walla Walla Construction Company, of which he became the president and which has been developed into one of the principal industries of the character in the city. In most of the best buildings, public and otherwise, in Walla Walla his work is to be seen. His thorough reliability and the excellence of his work have been the salient features in winning him his continued and growing success.
In 1891 Mr. Snell married Miss Clara J. Parkes, of Walla Walla, and they became the parents of a daughter, Laura, who is the wife of James Daugherty, of Walla Walla. The death of Mrs. Snell occurred September 26, 1911, and caused deep grief to her family and much sincere regret among her many friends.
Mr. Snell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He is a very prominent Mason, belonging to Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M.; Pendleton Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., of Pendleton, Oregon; Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of Walla Walla; Zabud Council, R. & S. M.; Spokane Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and is a charter member of El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Enterprise Lodge, No. 2.
Mr. Snell is identified with the Walla Walla Commercial Club and is in thorough sympathy with its purposes to further the interests of the city and exploit its possibilities and advantages, also to extend its trade relations and, more than all, to uphold the high civic standards which here prevail. He had no assistance when he started out in the business world, but he early came to a realization of the fact that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. Persistency of purpose has been one of the foundation stones of his success.