Thomas G. Snyder

As printed in 1887

THOMAS G. SNYDER, who lives on section 20, Monroe Township, is one of the pioneers in this county, having come here April 16, 1854. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, in December, 1824, and is a son of Harmon and Elizabeth (Garmon) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania. When he was at the tender age of nine months his mother died and one of his aunts took him to Blair County. Pa., where his grandparents cared for him until he was nine years old. Harmon Snyder was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 28, 1790, and died in that State in 1847. His first wife, the mother of our subject. was born in 1793. and died in 1824. They were the parents of six children: Polly, one who died in infancy; Sarah, Samuel, John, and Thomas, our subject. Samuel and Thomas are the only members of the family now living. In 1828 Harmon Snyder was again married, his second wife being Miss Nancy Clossom, by whom he had eight children, namely, Christian, who died in 1880; David, Eliza, William, Henry, Lewis. Benjainan F. and Ellen.

Our subject married Miss Esther Stifner, May is, 1840,. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born Aug. 3. 1826, and died July is. 1876, having become the mother of ten children, namely: Henry A., born

Dec. 25, 1847; Elias, June 28, l 85 1; Nancy J., Aug. 2 1. 1849; Joseph G.. Aug. 7. 1853; Anna M.. July 14, 1855; Alice. Aug. '.I, 1858; John, July 13, 1859; Sarah J.. Sept. 22. 1863; James F., June 27, 1866; and one who died in infancy.

Nov. 8, 1877, Mr. Snyder was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Catherine Miller, widow of Elder D. Miller, Pastor of Pine Creek German Baptist Church, near Polo, Ogle Co., Ill., who died

March 22. 1873. By this last marriage, Mr. Snyder became the father of two children: Thomas II.. born Nov. 24, 1878, and Frederick, July 20,' 1882. Mrs. Snyder was the daughter of Jacob and Frances (Heisy) Kurtz, natives of Lancaster County, Pa. Her father was born in 1802, and died in October, 1866; her mother was born in 1812, and died in November, 1882. They were the parents of five daughters and one son: Sarah, Mary, Catharine, Annie, Jacob and Susan, all of whom are now living except Mary. Catharine married David Miller, March 8, 1859. He was a native of Maryland, and was educated to the ministry at Clear Spring, in that State. He occupied his first pulpit in 1857, and continued to preach until his death, as above recorded. Mr. Miller was the father of five children — Katie, Jacob, Emmert, Annie and Charlie, all of whom are now living.

Mr. Snyder has 200 acres of land, well cultivated, and a good dwelling-house. His home surroundings are all of the pleasantest character. Mr. Snyder was the first member of the German Baptist

Church in this county, and was a Deacon in that church when he came to the county. Elder J. O.

Waters, of Pennsylvania, came to the county in 1850, and was the second member of the church here. At, or near that time, several other members came from the East, and a love feast was held at Mr. Snyder's house, or in his barn, when Mr. Snyder was elected to the ministry of the first degree, and has occupied the pulpit ever since. The church now has a membership of nearly 100, and has erected two church buildings, one. of which is 10x60 feet.

Mr. Snyder is a Republican in politics, though he takes li" prominent part in political affairs. An incident of his early life at his grandfather's house is recorded here. His sister Polly, who was some

XTXSTLX I aOEL I eleven years his senior, was also living with her grandparents. About four o'clock in the afternoon of one day in the fall of 1 833, the family were aroused by a loud report, as if some heavy object had fallen on the floor above. The grandmother directed Thomas to go to the garret, and ascertain what had taken place. Herdid so, and found nothing unusual. Later, his curiosity caused young Thomas to return to the second story, about sundown, and as he entered the stairway, or reached the top of the stairs, he saw a white pigeon sitting on one of the wind w-sills, inside. How he got there Thomas did not know, as all the windows of the house were closed. He set to work to catch the bird, but as he approached it, it flew away and alighted on another window near by. The boy again placed his hand over it, but found nothing, for the bird had disappeared, whither he never knew. His sister, that evening, went upstairs to arrange the room by candle-light, and while there saw, or thought she saw, her grandmother's head and cap through a door-way near by. At this hour the grandmother was well and hearty, but before the clock struck eleven that night, she was dead. Mr. Snyder thinks the appearance of the bird was a premonition of his grandmother's death.

Mr. Snyder was not only a pioneer in church affairs, but is a leader in them. By his blameless life, he illustrates the precepts of the Great Teacher, and exercises an important influence upon the community. He is a helper in every good work, and when his final record shall be written, it will be recorded that the world is the better for his having lived.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.