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CABELL COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Valerie & Tommy Crook
vfcrook@trellis.net
November 26, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 320-321
Cabell
CLYDE HAMILTON SNEDEGAR. The part public utilities
have played in the development of the country has never,
perhaps, been fully realized by those who enjoy the benefits
accruing therefrom, but as time progresses people are com-
ing more and more to appreciate the debt owed by them to
the men who keep these conveniences in working order.
Particularly is this true with reference to the great railway
systems, although the general public usually hears only
about the heads of these companies and little about those in
more humble positions, whose duties, however, are just as
exacting and important in comparison, and whose respon-
sibilities are numerous and heavy. In this connection is
mentioned Clyde Hamilton Snedegar, of Huntington, train-
master -of the Huntington Division of the Chesapeake &
Ohio Railway Company, a man who has worked his own
way up to responsibility, and who in his present capacity is
working along lines of mutual interest, confidence and
opportunity.
Mr. Snedegar was born at Ona, Cabell County, West Vir-
ginia, July 3, 1877, a son of Robert Jesse and Mary Eliza-
beth (Douglas) Snedegar. His father was born in 1843, in
Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia), where
he worked on his father's farm until 1861. At the outbreak
of the war between the states he enlisted in the Union army,
joining a West Virginia infantry regiment which was later
consolidated with the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Snedegar saw four years of service, was severely
wounded in the left shoulder and participated in the second
battle of Bull Run and other notable engagements. He had
a splendid record for valiant service and fidelity to duty,
and on the receipt of his honorable discharge served on
United States Government surveys in Missouri, Indian
Territory and other sections of the then West. In 1871 he
returned to Huntington, where he became a pioneer fireman
for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, and in 1873
was promoted to the post of locomotive engineer, a position
which he held until his death at Huntington in November,
1917, at which time he was one of the oldest engineers of the
road in point of service. He was a republican in his politi-
cal convictions, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. While with the surveying party, at Kansas City,
Missouri, he was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry,
and continued to be a member of that order until his death.
He also held membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers. Mr. Snedegar married Miss Mary Elizabeth
Douglas, who was born in 1858, in Rockbridge County, Vir-
ginia, and died at Huntington in April, 1918. They became
the parents of seven children, as follows: Clyde Hamilton,
of this notice; Pearl, who is unmarried and an employe of
the Anderson-Newcomb Company department store at Hunt-
ington; Vesta McCorkle, the wife of Eli McComas, of
Huntington, a locomotive engineer for the Chesapeake &
Ohio Railway; Lilla, the wife of Wiley Agnew, of Earling,
West Virginia, store manager for the Logan Coal Company;
Percy D., of Huntington, a conductor for the Chesapeake &
Ohio Railway; Lillian, unmarried, a clerk in the time-
keeper's office of the same road; and Robert, a Chesapeake
& Ohio locomotive fireman, residing at Huntington.
Clyde Hamilton Snedegar received his education in the
graded and high schools of Huntington, leaving the latter
at the age of sixteen years to become a telegraph operator
for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, a vocation which he
followed for four years on the Huntington Division. In
1904 he was made train dispatcher at Huntington, and in
1918 was advanced to the post of trainmaster, which he has
since held, his offices being situated in the passenger station
building of the road, on Seventh Avenue, between Ninth
and Tenth streets. He is a thoroughly competent railroad
man, who has the confidence of his superiors and associates
and the good will and friendship of his men. In politics
he is a republican, and his religious connection is with the
Presbyterian Church. He belongs to Syracuse Lodge No.
82, K. of P., of Huntington; Huntington Camp, M. W. A.;
and the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Snedegar
owns a modern residence at 1664 Sixth Avenue, a com-
fortable and attractive home in one of Huntington's exclu-
sive residence districts.
In February, 1902, at Milton, West Virginia, Mr. Sned-
egar married Miss Mary Agnes Martindale, a daughter of
Hugh and Matilda (Irwin) Martindale, the latter of whom
is deceased. Mr. Martindale, who was formerly a school
teacher and farmer, is now retired from active life and is
making his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and
Mrs. Snedegar. The latter have five children: Mildred,
who is a freshman at the Huntington High School; Robert
Hugh, a freshman at the Junior High School; Ruth, who
is taking a preparatory course at Marshall College; Helen,
attending the graded school; and Creth, the baby.
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