Justice Charles W. U. Sneed was born on August 13, 1881 in Newburgh, NY. He was educated at public schools in Newburgh and at the Newburgh Academy before graduating from Albany Law School in 1902. He was admitted to the bar that year, and began practicing law with the firm of Nathan, Leventritt and Perham in New York City. In 1906, Sneed returned to Newburgh, practicing with Cornelius L. Waring until 1911, when he formed a partnership with J. Bradley Scott.
Sneed joined the bench when he was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court for the Ninth Judicial District by Governor Thomas E. Dewey in February 1945. Two years later, Governor Dewey elevated Justice Sneed to the Appellate Division, Second Department. He retired from the bench in 1951, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70, and thereafter served as an official referee.
In addition to his legal and judicial career, Sneed participated in the American, New York State, Orange County and Newburgh Bar Associations, as well as fraternal organizations.
He was married to Emma E. Montrose in1910 and had two daughters. He died on December 1, 1955 at the age of 74.
Sources
“Appellate Judge Named.” The Knickerbocker News [Albany] 3 Mar. 1947: 12-B. Web. 16 July 2012. http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html.
“Charles Sneed, 74, State Exjustice.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 17. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2008). Dec 03 1955. Web. 16 July 2012.
“Charles W. U. Sneed.” Eminent Members of the Bench and Bar of New York. San Francisco: Knight-Counihan, 1943. 82. Print.