Obed Snowberger

Obed Snowberger lived his entire life at Snow Hill and wrote articles for their religious paper.  He was also  a musician and once wrote a quickstep called  the "Snow Hill Quickstep" which was played by the local band.  He played the piano, organ and accordion.  

Among his manuscripts are his neatly written scores for the hymns,  "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood"...”When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"..."Jesus, My All to Heaven is Gone." 

He taught music and constructed musical instruments (which included an organ) and he tuned pianos. He was a mechanic, made repairs at the mill and went about repairing clocks. As he visited homes on a repair job, the occupants might receive a musical rendition on the piano or accordion.  

The small printing press was operated by Obed.  

Obed did research while at the Harrisburg State Library in 1856, studying and comparing Bibles in German of the Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and New Holland versions. 

When Obed Snowberger died in November 1895, aged 72 years 5 months 4 days, his obituary stated that he was "A great reader, well posted on current subjects and philosophy,, an original thinker, was kindly, benevolent, and everywhere loved.”

Obed corresponded regularly with historian Abraham Cassel.  Those letters are today part of the Snow Hill Collection at Juniata College.