Source: North Manchester Journal, April 21, 1904

DEATH OF M.H. SNORF
Well Known Business Man Suddenly Passes Away.

This community was inexpressibly shocked last Thursday morning by the death of M.H. Snorf. But comparatively few people knew he was sick and still fewer were aware that his condition was dangerous. Even his immediate family and friends did not seem to be aware that the end was so near at hand. Mr. Snorf’s ailment was a collapse of his nervous system coupled with a derangement of the heart which together his physical condition was unable to withstand.

For twenty years Mr. Snorf has been actively and personally identified with the business interests of North Manchester and in that time had not only made many personal friendships but had impressed his forceful characteristics as a good citizen and a gentleman of honest purpose upon the people with whom he came in contact, thus gaining for himself a larger circle of friends than ordinarily fails to the lot of the average man. He was always of the progressive class and gave much of his time for the benefit of his friends and the community in which he lived. And in the hour of his death the loss to the public was doubly impressed upon the people.

Few men indeed held the personal friendship and confidence of as many people as Mr. Snorf. And it may be as truly said that fewer still in active life had less enemies. He was a gentleman honorable in his business, outspoken in his views and conscientious in his actions. The public esteem in which Mr. Snorf was held by the public in general was fittingly shown by the closing of all business houses on Saturday afternoon during the hour of his funeral.

Funeral services were held at the family residence Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. C.A. Rowand, pastor of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. L.C. Douglas of the Lutheran church. Music was furnished by the choir of the Methodist church. The attendance at the services was unusually large and but comparatively few people were able to obtain seats in the house. The burial services at the cemetery were in charge of the Odd Fellows and Maccabee lodges, of which organizations he was a member, both orders turning out in a body.

Milton Snorf was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 29, 1854, and was left an orphan at the age of eight years soon after which he came to Marion, Ind., to make his home with his oldest sister. It was there he grew to manhood and learned the dry goods business as a clerk in the store of Gunder Brothers, remaining in the employ of that firm for over 15 years. In the fall of 1875 he married Miss Mary Lennox, of Marion, and their life together has been an exceptionally happy one. It was first in 1884 that Mr. Snorf came to North Manchester to engage in business, being a member of the firm of Helm, Snorf & Watson. Since that time his business and personal record is so open and well known to the people of this place that there is no need to follow it in this article.

Personally he was a man of enthusiastic and strong convictions in whatever he undertook in a business way or believed to be the right in all affairs of life. In early years he was converted to God and at the time of his death was an earnest and active member of the Methodist church. Fraternally he was a member of the I.O.O.F., Maccabee and Bro Hur orders, and politically he always officiated with the republican party.

In all of the above named associations his prudent counsel and enthusiastic efforts will be missed.

Mr. Snorf leaves a family consisting of a wife, one son and three daughters besides a great many other relatives and friends to mourn his departure. In his active life and business career he was not forgetful of those who were dependent upon him and his best efforts were given to a preparation for their welfare. Besides leaving considerable property and the interest in a good business to his family he had life insurance amounting to $10,000 in their interest. It is understood that the firm of Helm, Snorf & Co. will go on just the same and without change.

Many friends and relatives from other places were in attendance at the funeral. Among them were Mrs. Ella Williams, Mrs. Kittie Baldwin, Daniel Gunder and wife, George Gunder, Charles Beshore and wife, A.J. Lennox and wife of Marion, Mrs. John Bailey and Bert Colt and wife, of Spencerville, Ohio, Mrs. Jennie Scott, of Kokomo, Mrs. Addie Tibbetts, of Marion, Elijah Creviston, of Marion; William Snorf of Chicago, and others. The family received many floral tributes and letters of regret from friends unable to attend. The display of floral tributes was one of the most elaborate ever seen in the city, not only in design but in volume of flowers and beauty of appearance.