Orson Henry Snyder (1863-1933)

SNYDER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 14:40:30

Orson Harry Snyder
(October 31, 1863 – April 8, 1933)

One of the representative citizen prominent farmers of Twin Lakes Township, Calhoun County. Iowa, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born on the 31st of October, 1863, in Woodstock, Ulster County, New York, of which place his father, Edgar Snyder, was also a native. The progenitor of the family in America was Martin Snyder, who came to this country in 1726 with his family, consisting of thirteen sons and one daughter. One of his descendants, Colonel William Snyder, who served under General Washington in the Revolutionary war, was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. The grandfather, William Snyder, was an early settler of Woodstock, New York, where he conducted a tavern for many years. Edgar Snyder, our subject's father, was a well known merchant of that place and served as postmaster for many years. He also filled the office of notary public, and was a man of influence in his community. He died in August, 1901, at the age of sixty-three years, but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah C. Croswell, is still living, and continues to make her home in Woodstock, New York. Unto them were born five children, but one son, William, died at the age of fourteen years. Those living are Mrs. Nettie Drake, a resident of Woodstock; Byron C, a merchant of that place; O. Harry, our subject; and Mrs. Lizzie Lake, a resident of New York city.
In the county of his nativity Mr. Snyder of this review grew to manhood, and began his education in the schoo1s of his home town, but later attended the New Paltz Academy for three years. Learning telegraphy, he followed that occupation for about three years, and was also a railroad operator for a number of years. From 1885 until 1895 he made his home in Chicago, and from that city came to Calhoun County, Iowa, in the latter year. He purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Twin Lake Township and also leases a tract, so that he now operates two hundred and sixty acres, about ninety acres of which is devoted to the raising of corn and the same amount to small grain, while the remainder is pasture and meadow land. He gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, and now has a good herd of seventy-five head of cattle, including some full-blooded Durhams. He is also a breeder of horses and owns an interest in a full-blooded Norman stallion. He has made most of the improvements upon his farm, and in its operation he is meeting with most excellent success. In politics Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, and in his religious views is liberal. Pleasant and genial in manner, he makes many friends, and is quite popular with all who know him. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.551]