John Abner Snell
| John Abner Snell (Soo E. Sang) | |
|---|---|
John Abner Snell
|
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| Born |
October 28, 1880 Knife Falls, Minnesota, United States |
| Died | March 2, 1936 (aged 55) Soochow, China |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia |
| Residence | USA (1880-1908) Soochow, China (1908-1936) |
| Nationality | USA |
| Other names | Soo E. Sang |
| Education | Vanderbilt University |
| Occupation | Surgeon, doctor, medical missionary |
| Employer | Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Known for | Superintendent of Soochow Hospital, surgical work, medical research |
| Spouse(s) | Grace Birkett Snell (m. 1907–36) |
| Children | Laura Evelyn Dorothy May John Raymond Martha Amy Grace Birkett Walter Arthur Fred Manget |
| Parent(s) | Amy Jarrett Snell Leonidas Snell |
John Abner Snell (28 October 1880 – 2 March 1936), also known as Soo E. Sang, was a missionary surgeon and hospital administrator in Suzhou (Soochow), China. Snell was a devout Christian, and as early as age 14 he stated: "I aim to "devote myself to God’s service.” After graduating from Vanderbilt Medical College in 1908, Dr. Snell applied for a post at the Methodist Missionary Society. He was appointed to the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) Hospital in Soochow. He married Grace Birkett Snell on the 1st of November, 1907.
Snell was known for his skillful surgical work, collection of data regarding syphilis prevalence, research into the host of blood flukes, and public health campaigns against tuberculosis. Under his administration, the Soochow Hospital underwent a large expansion, acquired modern technology, and was held to a very high standard. He was considered one of "the finest and most skillful surgeons ever coming to China." Snell encouraged the integration of local workers in the mission hospital, stating in one report: "Let us take into partnership with us the people among whom and for whom we are working and co-operate with them to establish medical standards." The hospital where Snell once worked, now The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, is still considered one of the best in the region.
John Snell was born to Amy Jarett and Leonidas Snell in Knife Falls, Carlton County, Minnesota, as the 5th out of 8 children. When he was 6 years old, his family moved to
Kissimmee, Florida. In 1896, they moved again to Nashville, Tennessee, without his father, because his mother insisted that the children have the best possible college opportunities. Although this was originally a temporary arrangement, Snell's father never joined the rest of the family in Tennessee. Amy only rejoined him in Florida in 1916, once their children had finished schooling. In 1899, Snell enrolled and began attending Emory College. However, in 1890 he transferred to Peabody Normal School, which later became Vanderbilt University. On May 27, 1903, Snell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked as a teacher in Goleta, California from 1903-1904, and in Calistoga from 1904-1905 in order to make enough money to support his younger siblings at home. Upon his return to Tennessee, Snell applied to Vanderbilt Medical University. Snell studied medicine until 1908, when he obtained his M.D., followed by a short internship as a doctor. Before graduation, Snell applied to the Methodist Episcopal Church for a posting abroad as a missionary worker. Nominated by William Hector Park and M.H. Polk, he was appointed the job with high praise.
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