There are at least six gravestones in Brecksville Ohio’s Highland Cemetery under which no one is buried. These are located in what’s known as the “old section” in the northwestern part of the cemetery and bear silent testament to the passing of Russ Snow (1789-1875) and several members of his immediate family. The old limestone slabs, stained and weathered with age, stand in a row set off from the rest of the Snow family who are buried on the east side of the cemetery. Closer inspection of these gravestones reveals that they are spaced too close together for there to be anyone below the ground. From left to right are the grave markers of Amos Stocker, his wife Louisa Snow Stocker, Jane Snow, Orpha Snow, Ruth Snow, and Russ Snow.
Being a Brecksville resident, I was already familiar with the Snow family. I had also grown up reading a series of self-published Brecksville history books written by local historian Dorcas Snow. These books went into detail about her life in Snow family during the early 1900s as well as other pioneer families in the area. There was good information within these books, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy my curiosity. Since what I was looking for apparently didn’t exist, I took it upon myself to uncover these details, record them for posterity, and maybe find out a little bit about who Russ Snow and his family members were. Little did I know this search for information would become an obsession that would follow me for the next fourteen years. I not only found out why the gravestones were moved, but I also was granted access to the family’s letters, journals, diaries, notebooks, and pictures. The photographs put faces to the names, while the letters and journals brought the family’s personalities back to life.
Snowville is the culmination of the research that took place during those fourteen years. What started as an unmarked grave in a forgotten cemetery tucked away in the lonely corner of a country road has resulted in a 500 page book detailing the life of a truly remarkable man.
In Russ Snow we get to see the personification of rugged individualism, self-sufficiency, a survivalist, and a man who would move heaven and earth in order to ensure his family’s health and safety. While his letters often reveal a stubborn, opinionated, and forceful personality, he could also come across as exceedingly loving and gentle, particularly when it came to his wife and children.
While his gravestone may no longer accurately mark his location in Columbia Road Cemetery, I hope this book can serve as a separate monument to this remarkable individual and share his story.