Josiah Snider was a dedicated member of the Little Oak Methodist Church for more than fifty years. He was one of the most beloved and respected citizens in Pike County, affectionately known as “Uncle Josiah.” This article from 1891 was part of the Messenger’s “Some Old People” series..

Josiah Snider was born on the 7th day of February, 1823, in Monroe County, Alabama.  He is a son of the late Rev. Matthias Snider, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and who moved from the Lexington District, South Carolina, to Monroe County, Alabama, in the year 1818, and in January 1883, he moved his family to Pike County.  On the 17th of February 1850, Mr. Josiah Snider married Miss Rebecca Hutchinson (daughter of the late William Hutchinson) of Coffee County, Alabama.

The fruits of this marriage were five sons and four daughters, all living except one son, Louis Jefferson, who died in 1877.  He joined the Methodist Church under the ministry of James M. Mills in the year 1849.  He joined the Masonic fraternity in 1858.  Mr. Snider served as Justice of the Peace for Darby’s beat for one term from 1857 to 1859.  He has been the postmaster of Little Oak for more than twenty years. 

Mr. Snider had seven brothers and four sisters, all of whom have gone to the spirit land except one sister.  Three of his brothers wore the gray, two of whom gave their lives for the lost cause. 

In all the relations of life, Mr. Snider has conducted himself in such a manner as to have the confidence and esteem of all his neighbors.  Mr. Snider has witnessed many changes in this section since he came here sixty years ago.  Then the wolf’s long howl came up from the Conecuh swamp.  Now the scream of the locomotive greets his ears. 

Not one of his neighbors is left from the early days; the Carnleys, the Stagners, the Carters, the Cowarts, and the Kyzars have all crossed over to the other shore. 

Mr. Snider can say one thing that very few people can—that he never was intoxicated and never swore an oath in his life.  His father built the first church that was ever established in this section.  Although on the shady side of sixty, Mr. Snider still works at the blacksmith’s trade.

These articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical, and Preservation Society.