Surnames: Snowdon, Lickas, Downs
John L Snowdon is the son of William Snowdon and Mary Lickas Snowdon, both natives of Yorkshire, England.His father was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1782, and learned the trade of blacksmithing. He was married in England to Miss Mary Lickas of Nunington, Yorkshire. In 1833 he and his family took ship at Liverpool and sailed for the United States. After a voyage of eleven weeks, the officers of the ship having lost their reckoning and after a circuitous route, they landed at New York City. From New York they traveled to Philadelphia by canal, thence to Baltimore; from there by stage to Brownsville or rather a part of the way in covered wagon. On account of the snow they were compelled to abandon the wagon for a sled in which they finally reached Brownsville after many days of travel.
Having arrived at Brownsville, Mr Snowdon engaged at work in the rolling mill of Rev Arthur Palmer, where he worked for four years. He then opened a shop for himself and continued to work at his trade, shoeing the stage horses for the company so long as the line continued to exist. He died at Brownsville in 1855 at the age of seventy three years. He was a useful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died in Brownsville when eighty four years old.
John L Snowdon was born May 10, 1820, in Yorkshire, England, and came to Brownsville with his parents when thirteen years old. Soon after he arrived at Brownsville he went to Captain Snowdon's "shops" to learn the trade of machinist blacksmith where he served six years apprenticeship. At the expiration of his term he commenced work in Captain Snowdon's employ and remained with him the greater part of the time till the death of Captain Snowdon. IN 1861 he went to Pittsburgh, South Side, and worked in the rolling mill of Zug & Painter for about one year; thence he removed to Pittsburgh where he lived and worked for about three years when he returned to Brownsville to engaged with Captain Snowdon.
In 1870 he went to New Haven and took the position of foreman in the blacksmithing department of Messrs Dawson & Bailey's locomotive shops where he continued for three years when he quit the business. He then returned to Brownsville and commenced business for himself in the old "Snowdon Shops."
John L Snowdon, on account of his log connection with and intimate relations with Captain Snowdon, was selected by his fellow workmen as the person best fitted to present the cane they gave him as testimony of their esteem to the captain.
John L Snowdon was married in Brownsville, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Downs, a daughter of John Downs who was a blacksmith in Brownsville. His wife died leaving seven children: William N Snowdon; Mary Ann Snowdon; John T Snowdon; Arabella Snowdon; Walter Snowdon; Samuel A Snowdon; and C Loy Snowdon.
He was married a second time to Miss Rebecca Downs, a sister of his first wife.
He is one of the old residents of Brownsville and is a true democrat. For twenty five years he was a member of the I O O F but withdrew from the order during the war. Mr Snowdon is a good man, esteemed by thepeople of the borough generally, and beloved of those who are classed as his friends.