H. M. SNYDER

H. M. SNYDER, of Jackson Township, is one of the oldest pioneers of Shelby County, having settled there in 1856. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1829, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Miller) Snyder, also natives of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Daniel Snyder had two brothers who fought in the war of 1812. He and his wife lived in their native county until death. H. M. Snyder at the age of seventeen years began to serve an apprenticeship in the miller's trade. In his nineteenth year he went to the State of Ohio, and for three years he traveled about the State, remaining but a short time in a single place. He was married at Dayton, Ohio, January 6, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Strine, daughter of Solomon and Ann Eliza Strine; she was born in Maryland, but was reared in Montgomery County, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Snyder removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, and resided there until 1856, when he came to Shelby County with William and Isaac Wyland. The first year he lived at Wick's Grove, Harlan Township, and the next year removed to section 30, Polk Township, where he bought forty acres of land; he has since added to this until he now owns 160 acres of fine land, which is cultivated by his sons. He made this place his home until 1886, when he rented the farm and went to live in Harlan. In the winter of 1888 he went to his present farm of eighty acres in section 8, Jackson Township. He has a comfortable house, a barn, a grove and an orchard, and a very good tract of land. The place was improved by H. McConnell. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had nine children, five of whom are living -- William Monroe, Alonzo, Matthias, Ellen, wife of John Frost, and _______ wife of William Davis. The four children deceased are -- Jonathan, who died at the age of one year; Jane, at the age of twelve years; James, at the age of twelve years; and Minerva, wife of Scott Miller, who left four children. She had been twice married, first to James Pearman, by whom she had one son, Frank, who lives with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder. Mr. Snyder affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served as a member of the school board and as township trustee. For many years he was a member of Parian Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M. He is a man firm in his convictions, plain in speech and manner, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Shelby County.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 615-616. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.