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Adrastus Snedaker - Sheriff 1950 through 1860

Sheriff Snedaker was a colorful figure in both county and local politics.

During his term as Sheriff, Sheriff Snedaker had the dark task of arranging for and carrying out the execution of William Fee, the only execution in the history of the county.

Sheriff Snedaker lived in the Town of Galen and after his term, became the Town of Galen Supervisor.

The period during which the Sheriff lived was difficult, the country was in upheaval and men and boys were volunteering to go to war to demonstrate their political and moral beliefs. The Sheriff had two sons who heeded the call to support the Union.

The "eldest son of Sheriff Snedaker," he joined the 27th New York Volunteers as corporal of Company B April 21st 1861 at Lyons age 21. James' mother and Mrs Walter Belden of Lyons raised the money for a beautiful silk flag they presented to the company. It was used as a battle flag and James "volunteered to carry the colors at Bull Run and was left for dead on the field knocked unconscious by a shell blast." Returned to ranks 9-1-61.

"In the very first battle on the Peninsula," the battle at Gaines Mill, a rifle ball passed through his leg while he acted as a volunteer flag bearer. The Rochester Union reported, "The colors of no regiment were flung to the battle breeze that day more defiantly than those of the 27th or under more galling fire." "Resting the flag upon his arm, he bound up the wound with his pocket handkerchief and continued through the three hours of the battle, leaving bloody footprints on the ground." James refused to leave the battlefield until the fight was over and he was forced to by loss of blood. The other color bearer, William H. McMahon, thrice rallied the regiment around him and led them on again. James was discharged with the 27th NYV during May 21st 1863.

James re-joined the 111th NYV, the unit made famous in the book by R.L. Murray, "The Redemption of the Harpers Ferry Cowards" at Galen as a private in Company D 1-2-1864. He helped with recruiting but declined a captaincy, accepting instead the rank of Second Lieutenant 4-13-64. He was killed by a bullet in his head 5-5-1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness, "his body ruthlessly stripped by the enemy and left on the field." James was buried on the field but his body was later brought home to Maple Grove Cemetery in Clyde NY.

Pvt Albert I Snedaker, Co D 111th NYV joined Feb11, 1864 - captured May 21st 1864 while helping a wounded comrade leaving the Wilderness on his way to Fredericksburgh. Taken to Andersonville GA arrived June 27th 1864. Albert kept a diary after his capture but they grew less as he grew weaker. The last record on July 13th said only "Going to the rebel hospital: God help me: Good Bye: Your son Bert" . He gave the book to Corporal D.B. Hutchins saying " "If I do not live, carry this to my mother." Hutchins delivered the book to Mrs. Snedaker after the war. Albert died 7-21-1864. Five years after the war, the Snedakers traveled to Andersonville to clain their sons body to be buried with his brother at Maple Grove Cemetery, Clyde NY.

Some of the Deputies appointed under Sheriff Snedaker: The Sheriff also served as the Town Constable before being elected to the Position of Sheriff.

Wm P. Nottingham - Undersheriff ( Was to later become Sheriff)
Clark Potts
Seth Smith

In 1842, the soon to become Sheriff Snedaker ran for political office on the ticket with Hiram Mann who had been sheriff three years earlier. Mann was running for New York State Assembly and Adrastus Snedaker was running for County Coroner. (Western NY Argus 9/8/1842)

A businessman as well, Sheriff Snedaker was heavily invested in the Canal Mansion House. The Mansion House was one of the oldest buildings in Clyde, having formerly been known as the the Parker House, the Valentino House and later the Devlan House. A local Hotel and Restaurant on the South side of the village of Clyde, the Manion House fell under hard times, Sheriff Snedaker attended the sale and purchased the remaining interest in the business, renaming it the Franklin House in 1845.

In 1866, after leaving office, Sheriff Snedaker, by means of his political connections, was appointed as Inspector of Distilled Spirits for the 24th Congressional District. (Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties). (Syracuse Daily Journal 1/23/1866)

The Sheriff was appointed to the Clyde Board of Health and later was elected president of that commission in 1887.

The Sheriff represented his distric as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888, supporting Benjamin Harrison for President. (Albany Jounal 10/25/1888)

Always active in the local community, the former Sheriff played George Washington in a Fourth of July play at the local Snedaker Post of the GAR (named after his sons) in 1890, shortly before his death.

	Adrastus Snedaker - Sheriff 1950 through 1860
	Sheriff Snedaker was a colorful figure in both county and local politics. During his term as Sheriff, Sheriff Snedaker had the dark task of arranging for and carrying out the execution of William Fee, the only execution in the history of the county. Sheriff Snedaker lived in the Town of Galen and after his term, became the Town of Galen Supervisor. The period during which the Sheriff lived was difficult, the country was in upheaval and men and boys were volunteering to go to war to demonstrate their political and moral beliefs. The Sheriff had two sons who heeded the call to support the Union. The "eldest son of Sheriff Snedaker," he joined the 27th New York Volunteers as corporal of Company B April 21st 1861 at Lyons age 21. James' mother and Mrs Walter Belden of Lyons raised the money for a beautiful silk flag they presented to the company. It was used as a battle flag and James "volunteered to carry the colors at Bull Run and was left for dead on the field knocked unconscious by a shell blast." Returned to ranks 9-1-61. "In the very first battle on the Peninsula," the battle at Gaines Mill, a rifle ball passed through his leg while he acted as a volunteer flag bearer. The Rochester Union reported, "The colors of no regiment were flung to the battle breeze that day more defiantly than those of the 27th or under more galling fire." "Resting the flag upon his arm, he bound up the wound with his pocket handkerchief and continued through the three hours of the battle, leaving bloody footprints on the ground." James refused to leave the battlefield until the fight was over and he was forced to by loss of blood. The other color bearer, William H. McMahon, thrice rallied the regiment around him and led them on again. James was discharged with the 27th NYV during May 21st 1863. James re-joined the 111th NYV, the unit made famous in the book by R.L. Murray, "The Redemption of the Harpers Ferry Cowards" at Galen as a private in Company D 1-2-1864. He helped with recruiting but declined a captaincy, accepting instead the rank of Second Lieutenant 4-13-64. He was killed by a bullet in his head 5-5-1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness, "his body ruthlessly stripped by the enemy and left on the field." James was buried on the field but his body was later brought home to Maple Grove Cemetery in Clyde NY.
	Pvt Albert I Snedaker, Co D 111th NYV joined Feb11, 1864 - captured May 21st 1864 while helping a wounded comrade leaving the Wilderness on his way to Fredericksburgh. Taken to Andersonville GA arrived June 27th 1864. Albert kept a diary after his capture but they grew less as he grew weaker. The last record on July 13th said only "Going to the rebel hospital: God help me: Good Bye: Your son Bert" . He gave the book to Corporal D.B. Hutchins saying " "If I do not live, carry this to my mother." Hutchins delivered the book to Mrs. Snedaker after the war. Albert died 7-21-1864. Five years after the war, the Snedakers traveled to Andersonville to clain their sons body to be buried with his brother at Maple Grove Cemetery, Clyde NY.
Some of the Deputies appointed under Sheriff Snedaker: The Sheriff also served as the Town Constable before being elected to the Position of Sheriff. Wm P. Nottingham - Undersheriff ( Was to later become Sheriff) Clark Potts Seth Smith
	In 1842, the soon to become Sheriff Snedaker ran for political office on the ticket with Hiram Mann who had been sheriff three years earlier. Mann was running for New York State Assembly and Adrastus Snedaker was running for County Coroner. (Western NY Argus 9/8/1842) A businessman as well, Sheriff Snedaker was heavily invested in the Canal Mansion House. The Mansion House was one of the oldest buildings in Clyde, having formerly been known as the the Parker House, the Valentino House and later the Devlan House. A local Hotel and Restaurant on the South side of the village of Clyde, the Manion House fell under hard times, Sheriff Snedaker attended the sale and purchased the remaining interest in the business, renaming it the Franklin House in 1845. In 1866, after leaving office, Sheriff Snedaker, by means of his political connections, was appointed as Inspector of Distilled Spirits for the 24th Congressional District. (Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties). (Syracuse Daily Journal 1/23/1866) The Sheriff was appointed to the Clyde Board of Health and later was elected president of that commission in 1887. The Sheriff represented his distric as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1888, supporting Benjamin Harrison for President. (Albany Jounal 10/25/1888) Always active in the local community, the former Sheriff played George Washington in a Fourth of July play at the local Snedaker Post of the GAR (named after his sons) in 1890, shortly before his death.