SNYDER FAMILY
SNYDER. The Snyder family is of German origin, and its members possess those sterling traits so characteristic of their race. Pennsylvania is the State selected for their place of residence, and they have been associated with much of the growth and development of their several communities. It is such men as these who are the great backbone of a nation's prosperity.John Snyder was a native of Germany, who, coming to Pennsylvania from his own country in 1832, settled with his family at Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., where he spent two years. In the fall of 1834 he bought a tract of land in Ringgold township, Jefferson Co., Pa., on which property he farmed until his death, which occurred in 1852. His children were: Catherine, who married John Fries; Walter, who died in Jefferson county; Conrad; John Y., who died in Jefferson county; and Casper, who died in the same county, on a portion of the old homestead.
Conrad Snyder, son of John Snyder, was born in Germany Jan.15, r8i~, and came to America with his parents in 1832. He spent some time in Jefferson county, but after his marriage settled in Boggs township, Armstrong county. In 1842 he bought a tract of land from General Orr, and lived upon it until March 13, 1856, when he purchased 220 acres of valuable land from John McCawley, a portion of which is included in the present site of Snyderville. Mr. Snyder cleared off a portion of this farm, and became a successful man, although his operations were not confined to agricultural lines, for he and his son, John G., opened the first store in Snyderville, conducting it from 1877 to 1882 under the firm name of C. Snyder & Son. Snyderville was named for this sturdy old German-American, and he had the honor of being its first postmaster, the office being known as Muff. Mr. Snyder sold his business in 1882, to S. M. Lewis.
Conrad Snyder married (first) Elizabeth Bargerstock, daughter of John Bargerstock, and she died in 1852, mother of the following children: Catherine, Sarah A., John G. and Casper. Mr. Snyder then married (second) Catherine Fishel, daughter of Samuel Fish el, and they had two children: A danghter who died in infancy; and William F., a merchant of Snyderville, mentioned below.
Politically Conrad Snyder was a Democrat. Active in the work of the Lutheran Church, he was one of its most consistent members. His death occurred June 17, 1900, and he left a large estate to be divided among his children, as well as an untarnished name and a record of stainless honor as a more lasting heritage.
Source: Pages 603 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 2001 by Laurel Morris for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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