Abraham Snyder

As printed in 1911

ABRAHAM SNYDER

Abraham Snyder, deceased, is not only deserving of prominent mention because of the active part he took in the early development and progress of Linn county but also because of his participation in the Civil war. He was born in Ohio on the 27th of January, 1836, a son of George "W. and Elizabeth (Diveley) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, but at an early day removed to Ohio, where they continued to make their home until their demise.

In the city of his nativity Abraham Snyder was reared and educated and when a young man engaged in teaching school. In 1855 he came to Iowa, taking up his above in Linn county. Here he purchased land and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his attention until the dark days of the Rebellion. Feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted for three years in Company A, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and participated in several hardfought battles and was also with Sherman on his march to the sea. His term of enlistment having expired, he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Davenport. Returning to Linn county, he settled on the farm where his family still reside and continued to engage in its operation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 29th of May, 1900. His remains were interred in the Center Point cemetery and in his passing the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen. On his return from the war in 18G5 he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued an active member of the same up to the time of his death.

On the 27th of March, 1859. Mr. Snyder had married Miss Mary B. Chamberlain, who was born in Linn county on the 18th of March, 1841, a representative of an old and honored family, her parents being William and Rachel (Davis) Chamberlain, who were married in this county. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, came to this comity in 1835 and three years later her mother, who was born in Ohio, also located here. They continued to make their home in Linn county throughout, the remainder of their lives, although Mrs. Chamberlain spent her last years with a son and daughter in Des Moines, where she passed away June 22, 1909. Mrs. Snyder's brothers were the originators of the Chamberlain Medicine Company and were natives of Linn county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were born the following children: Simon W., who is now operating the home farm; Lawson E., a resident of South Dakota; Ulysses A., deceased; Ida, who died in infancy; Eva, who commenced teaching at the age of seventeen years and continued to follow that profession until her death at the age of thirty-nine; Minnie, who was employed as a teacher in the public schools for some time and later held a position as stenographer in the office of Mr. Bealer at Cedar Rapids for nine years; Edwin, who died in infancy; Arthur J., who is now a resident of Australia, where his sister Minnie is visiting at the present time; and Davis C, who is at home. Several of the family have engaged in teaching school, including besides those already mentioned Lawson E., Ulysses A. and Arhtur J. /

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The sons are both members of Center Point Lodge. Xo. 142. A. F. & A. M., (a which work Simon W. Snyder has taken a very active and prominent part, I.vine filled all of the chairs. He is also a member of Center Point Lodge. Xo.. -" Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled every office in that lodge, while both sons and the mother are connected with the Eastern Star Chapter Xo. 3*.K). at Center Point, and she is also identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years the family has been one of the most prominent in the community where they reside and they have borne a very active part in its upbuilding and prosperity.

As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.