| JohnW. Snyder |
JOHN W. SNYDER, a well known and highlyrespected citizen of section 20, Buena Vista township, became a residentof Schuyler county in 1834. He is a native of Virginia, having been bornin Frederick county of that State, June 4, 1823. His father, Jacob Snyder,was a farmer. He married Margaret Hughes, and in 1834 emigrated to Illinois,locating in Buena Vista township, where he at first rented land, but laterpurchased a tract, adding to it from time to time until he owned about500 acres. This he improved by erecting a good substantial residence andcommodious barns for his grain and stock, and in time brought the landto a high state of cultivation. He died September 28, 1865, aged sixty-sevenyears. His wife, the mother of our subject, had died on November 7, 1849,at the early age of fifty-one years. She was a woman of intelligence andwarm impulses, a faithful wife and fond mother, and left many friends tomourn her loss. They had four children: John W., James, now residing nearHamilton, Illinois; Joseph, a resident of Littleton township, Illinois,and George Edward, residing in Buena Vista township, same State. The parentswere consistent members of the Methodist .Protestant Church, and contributedto its support. Politically the father was a Democrat, but was never anoffice seeker, or politician in the modern sense of the term.The subject of our sketch, John W. Snyder,was but a mere boy when his parents came to Illinois, since which timehe has continued a resident of Schuyler county. He was reared to log-cabinlife on a farm, and received his education in a log schoolhouse. He livedat home until he attained to the age of manhood. He married, June18, 1848, Miss Cynthia Blackley, a daughter of William and Jane Blackley.She was born in Tennessee, November, 1825. After his marriage our subjectresided on the farm on which he still lives. He commenced with 260 acresof land, with no improvements, and now owns l90 acres, well improved withgood house and barns for grain and stock and other modern improvements,while his land is well cultivated, being devoted to mixed farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had nine children,six of whom are living. Sarah Jane was born June 21, 1849, and marriedHarvey Cole. She died in Buena Vista township May 3, 1878, leaving threechildren. Margaret E. was born December 12, 1850, and resides at home.Martha E. was born April 3, 1853, and died June 18, 1856. Mary E. was bornApril 3, 1853, and married George Warrington, and resides in Buena Vistatownship. Lydia F. was born November 18, 1859, and resides at home. LouisaA. was born December 27, 1862, and married Ross Pittman, and now residesin Rushville, of Schuyler county, Illinois. Cynthia B. was born October9, 1864, and died December 15, 1864. Hannah L. was born, May 24, 1867,and resides at home. Mazie C. was born September 25, 1868, and lives withher parents at home.
Mr. Snyder affiliates with the Democraticparty, and has been honored by his constituents by an election to the officeof Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served his county ably andwell. Like his parents before him, he is a Protestant Methodist, to thesupport of which church he contributes. Commencing life with little means,he has, by industry and economy, accumulated a competence, and by reasonof his honest dealings and cordial manner he has won the friendship andgood will of the community.
Biographical Review of Cass, Schuylerand Brown Counties, Illinois, Biographical Review Publishing Co., Chicago,1892, pages 135-136.
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