P. W. Snyder
P. W. Snyder, merchant, Ravenna, was born May 22, 1845, in Rootstown, this county, son of Peter and Henrietta (Wagner) Snyder, former a native of Allentown, Penn. They came to Franklin Township, this county, in 1840, and in 1843 located in the southwest part of Rootstown Township, where they resided until his decease, which occurred June 23, 1845. The cause of his death was erysipelas, which was then raging as an epidemic in the county. Mrs. Snyder lived to bring up her family of four boys and four girls, and died in the same township January 6, 1873. She was a lady of fine business capabilities, and of most estimable character. Our subject has taken care of himself almost ever since he was nine years of age, making his home with his sister, Mrs. William P. Collins. At eighteen years of age he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National Guards, April 27, 1864, and was in the service four months, part of which time he was confined in the hospital at Covington, Ky., suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever. Returning home he spent three years clerking in Rootstown and Randolph, this county, Mr. Snyder married, April 18, 1869, Miss Emma E. Rowe, of Ravenna. They moved to Lyons, Iowa, where Mrs. Snyder died March 15, 1870. In the following autumn Mr. Snyder returned and located permanently in Ravenna. Here he clerked two years with N. Converse, and five years with Smith Bros. On April 1, 1878, he entered into partnership with N. Converse, which was continued until 1880, when Mr. Freeman purchased Mr. Converse's interest. The firm is now known as Snyder & Freeman. Mr. Snyder married, October 19, 1873, Miss Orpha A. Brobst, of Brimfield Township, this county. She is a member of the Disciples Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885