Amos Snell — Chicago Pioneer, Entrepreneur & Unsolved Murder Mystery

Chicago, Illinois · 1823 – 1888

Amos Jerome Snell

Chicago Pioneer · Entrepreneur · Philanthropist

One of Chicago's wealthiest real estate titans, Amos Jerome Snell arrived in the city in 1844 with just $18.50 in his pocket. He built a fortune estimated at $3 million — over $75 million today — through land, lumber, and toll roads. On February 8, 1888, he was murdered in his mansion. The case has never been solved.

$3 Million

$130M+ today

Estate Value

$50,000

Reward Offered

400+

Properties Owned

136 Years

Murder Unsolved

Personal Essay

Discovering My 3rd Great Grandfather, Amos Jerome Snell

By Robin Beckham, 3rd Great-Granddaughter of Amos Jerome Snell

You never truly know what you'll discover about your family roots until you begin digging. I launched this website to share the remarkable — and tragic — story of my 3rd great-grandfather, Amos Jerome Snell. Born December 28, 1823. Murdered in his Chicago mansion on February 8, 1888, at age 64. His family offered a $50,000 reward — the largest ever offered at that time for the capture of any human being.

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Amos Jerome Snell in a Snapshot

Biography

A millionaire real estate tycoon, the owner of a toll road from Chicago to suburban Wheeling, who was murdered in his home on February 9, 1888. Willie Tascott was suspected in the killing but he fled Chicago and was never seen again.

Snell Family

During the 1800's the Snell Family in Chicago, Illinois was periodically featured in the news headlines for various social and news related stories. As one of the wealthiest families in the city, there was constant focus on the family members lives.

Snell Toll Road

Snell bought from Cook County the right-of-way which extended from Chicago's city limits to what was then the village of Jefferson, giving Snell a monopoly on all the major roads that led into Chicago.

Murder Mystery

The murder of Amos Snell was one of the most covered cases in 1888. The family put up one of the largest rewards to capture the suspect, the case is still a mystery today.

Legacy

On behalf of her husband, Henrietta Snell donated $50,000 to the University of Chicago to build the men's dormitory Snell Hall as a memorial to her late husband, Amos J. Snell. Designed by Henry Ives Cobb, the building was completed in 1893.

I am related

How I am related to the Snell family — the process of digging into my family tree was very exciting and there was always something new to discover about a family member. This process helped me better understand who I am today.

Amos Snell's Daughter

Alice Snell McCrea

Heiress to one of Chicago's great fortunes. She eloped with a married man, survived bigamy and scandal, and died at 31 — leaving behind a son who would one day walk into his father's office with a gun.

Idaho Statesman headline, October 3 1920: Idahoan Shoots Self — Falling in his efforts to shoot his father, Snell McCrea fires bullet into his own head

Amos Snell's Grandson

Billy McCrea

Alice Snell's son grew up in the household of the man who had beaten his mother. He left Chicago for Idaho, married, and had four children. In 1920, he traveled back to Chicago and walked into his father's office to shoot him. The attempt failed. He died instead.

Amos Jerome Snell — Chicago Pioneer, Entrepreneur & Unsolved Murder Mystery