Herman Wilber Snow

Herman Wilber Snow (July 3, 1836 – August 25, 1914) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois, sergeant at arms of the United States House of Representatives, and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. A Democrat, he represented Illinois in the Fifty-second Congress from 1891 to 1893 and later held important administrative responsibilities in the House.

Snow was born on July 3, 1836, in Michigan City, Indiana. In his youth he moved with his parents to Madisonville, Kentucky, where he attended the public schools. As a young man he relocated to Sheldon, Illinois, where he supported himself by teaching school for several years. While in Sheldon he commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law, establishing the professional foundation that would undergird his later public career.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Snow entered military service in the Union Army. He enlisted as a private in the 139th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and through successive promotions rose to the rank of captain. After the expiration of this term of service, he re-enlisted in the 151st Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. During this later period of service he was assigned as provost marshal general of Georgia on the staff of Major General James B. Steedman, performing important military police and administrative duties in the post-conflict South.

At the close of his wartime service, Snow returned to civilian life and resumed educational work, teaching in the Chicago High School for three years. He subsequently returned to Sheldon, Illinois, where he engaged in banking in addition to his legal and civic activities. His growing prominence in local affairs led to his election to the Illinois House of Representatives, in which he served from 1872 to 1874 as a member of the Democratic Party, participating in state-level legislative deliberations during the Reconstruction era.

Snow’s state legislative experience and party affiliation positioned him for national office. He was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress and served as a Representative from Illinois from March 4, 1891, to March 3, 1893. During his single term in the U.S. House of Representatives, he contributed to the legislative process and represented the interests of his Illinois constituents at a time of significant economic and political change in the United States. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892 to the Fifty-third Congress, which ended his tenure as an elected member of the House.

Following his service as a Representative, Snow remained connected to the national legislature through an important administrative post. He was chosen sergeant at arms of the United States House of Representatives during the Fifty-third Congress, assuming responsibility for the maintenance of order, the execution of House rules, and various financial and logistical functions essential to the operation of the chamber. This position extended his influence in congressional affairs beyond his earlier legislative term.

In his later years, Snow moved to Kankakee, Illinois, where he resumed his involvement in banking and continued to be regarded as a prominent local figure. He died from bronchial pneumonia at his home in Kankakee on August 25, 1914. Herman Wilber Snow was interred in Mound Grove Cemetery in Kankakee, closing a life that encompassed service as a soldier, educator, banker, state legislator, Member of Congress, and officer of the U.S. House of Representatives.