Lewis Snyder
Lewis Snyder is one of the well-known citizens of Wayne County, within whose borders he has passed more than half a century. He was born in Union County, Penn., May 29, 1824. His father, Jacob Snyder, was also a native of that State, born in Berks County, near Reading; he was by occupation a farmer, and, on reaching manhood, was united in marriage with Susannah Hock, who likewise was born in the Keystone State, and who became the mother of Lewis Snyder. In the fall of 1836 this couple came to Wayne County with their family, for whom they wished to make a home in this then new country. Their settlement was on a farm in Franklin Township, upon which the remainder of their lives was passed. The father was called to his eternal rest August 7, 1860, at the age of sixty-nine years, after a residence here of twenty years, and the mother in 1880, at the age of eighty-seven years. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, and both had in this county, as well as in their old home, acquired the confidence and respect of the people among whom their lot was cast. The father had been, in his younger days, married previous to the union with the mother of our subject, and by that marriage had become the parent of two children. Of his later union there were twelve children, eight of whom--four sons and four daughters--grew to maturity. Jacob Snyder was, in his earlier years, an active member of the Whig party and voted and worked for the grandfather of our present President, Gen. William H. Harrison.
Lewis Snyder, subject of this biographical sketch, was twelve years old when his parents came to Wayne County, and has ever since been a resident here. He stayed on the home farm, assisting his father in the toil of developing it from the wilderness, until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he took the first step toward making a home for himself by becoming united in marriage with Miss Sarah Morr, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Philip and Sarah Morr, pioneers of Wayne County. Her father died when she was a little girl, but her mother survived many years, dying on their farm in Franklin Township, at the age of seventy-six years. As pioneers, and as good and useful citizens, who had led honorable and upright lives, they were highly respected and will be long remembered. Philip Morr, grandfather of Mrs. Snyder, was a Revolutionary soldier. Lewis Snyder and his young wife began their married life on a farm which he had purchased in Franklin Township, and there they remained for twenty-six years, working assiduously to clear up and thoroughly develop their land, in which object they succeeded, and thus laid up a competence for their old age. This was not accomplished without much hard work, supplemented by frugal habits, but in their declining years, they can now take a rest from their toil, and look back with satisfaction upon a life well spent. In 1876 they retired from active labor and removed to the city of Wooster, where they have since resided, in their pleasant home on Vine Street, surrounded by every material comfort. Four children came to bless their home, three of whom are yet living, comfortably settled in homes of their own. The eldest, Ann Maria, is the wife of Andrew C. Miller, of Franklin Township; Sylvester G. married Miss Jane Reed, of Franklin Township, and also lives in that township, on his father's farm, and Lavinia Elizabeth, with her husband, William Levers, resides in Wooster. The one that died was an unnamed infant.
Our subject takes much interest in public affairs, in which he keeps well posted, but always avoided holding office. He has, since its formation, been a supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wooster, which counts them among it active workers. Mr. Snyder is a self-made man, as he had no assistance in making his start in life. The financial success he has achieved is due to the inherent qualities of the man, aided by his faithful wife, who has for forty years been a wise counselor and a capable helpmate. In addition to other property they still own 160 acres in Franklin Township, where they lived so long and where they laid the foundation of their prosperity. They will long be remembered as among the best class of Wayne County's honored pioneers.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889