SNYDER-John M. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John M. SNYDER, who has a well-equipped flourmill on Coal Creek, Cain Township, Fountain County, has the reputation of manufacturing the best brand of flour made in the state of Indiana. Mr. Snyder was born in Butler Co Ohio, Jan 4, 1828. His father, John Snyder who was born in Germany was one of the pioneers of Montgomery County, this state. He came to this country with his mother, his father, Jacob Snyder, having died on the water after the family had started on their journey to a strange country. His widow was left with the care of two boys and two girls, Jacob, John, Sophia and Elizabeth, who were sold on the arrival of the family to work out the pay for their passage. Jacob was not well pleased with being disposed of in that manner, and as soon as he had an opportunity he ran away, and has never been heard from since. The mother made her home in PA until her death. The father of our subject grew to manhood in PA, and was there married to Mary Mertina, who was of Dutch origin. After marriage they located at Hagerstown, but 8 years later removed from PA to Butler Co Ohio where she died in 1838. She was the mother of six children, two sons and 4 daughters, of whom our subject and his sister Mary Ann, wife of WIlliam Talbert are the only survivors. THe father married for his second wife, Mrs. Meridith, by whom there were two children, Rev. A.M. Snyder being the only one living at that union. He is quite a prominent mininster of the United Brethren Church and has held the office of Elder 4 years, and is still their Elder. Rebecca, Catherine, George, Amelia and Suasn are the names of the children that died, the latter a child of the second marriage.John SNyder was a successful farmer. In cultivating the soil and sowing seed he was guided strictl by the rules that were formerly so rigidly observed by every farmer as to the proper time to plant. His corn was always planted when the moon was new and in the sign of the tinws, and everything of the kind was done according to the position of that planet with reference to the signs of the zodiac, which was supposed to have some mysterious influence over the growth of the crops. The neighbors would come for miles around to consult him as to the rgith time to sow their grain. He was an exemplary Christian, and one of the leaders in the United Brethren Church, whose doctrines he sometimes expounded from the pulpit, although not a licensed preacher. John M. Snyder of whom we write was but a boy when his father came to Indiana in 1838 after 14 years' residence in Butler Co Ohio. The latter bought a farm in Wayne Twp, Montgomery County upon which he spent his remaining years, dying at a ripe age in 1870. Our subject passed the rest of his youth on that farm and was educated in the local schools. When a young man he learned the trade of a carpenter. After his marriage he resumed the calling to which he had been reared, and was engaged in farming the ensuing 12 years on an 80 acre farm in Wayne Twp. At the end of that time he sold his farm and took up his residence at Blue Grass, Vermilion Co Ill where he remained 3 years. Returning then to this state, he settled in Cain Township, where he owned 80 acres of land, which he subsequently sold and then bought a quarter-section of land in the same township. He lived thereon six years. IN 1875 he disposed of that farm and bought the mill owned by George Brown, which is now known as Snyder's Mill and he has operated it ever since. The mill is fitted up with modern machinery, has a capacity of 25 barrels a day, and the flour manufacutred is of a specially fine grade. There is a good market near home for all that can be made, as it commands a ready sale at Crawfordsville, Waynetown, Hillsboro, Veedersburg, Newtown, Pleasant Hill, Elmdale, Mace and New Ross. Mr. Snyder does a large exchange business and last year 5000 bushels of stored wheat were consumed in the manufacture of flour in his mill. They grind into flour about 30,000 bushels of stored wheat annually. Mr. Snyder was married in Cain Township to Miss Mary Jane Meredith, daughter of Mrs. Meriman. Her father died and her mother married again. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been blessed in their pleasant wedded life by the birth of 7 children, of whom one died in inancy. The others are Albert, who is engaged in poultry at Waynetown; Ann Eliza, who is the wife of Thomas Barcklow, a prosperous farmer of this township; George who lives at home and helps his father mmanage the mill; James, who is in LaHogue, Ill; H.L. who is a farmer at New richmond; and Charles A, who lives at home and assists his father. Our subject is a thorough Christian gentleman, who has the fullest confidence of the people among whom he lives and who think highly of him. His advice is often south, as he is a wise and safe counselor; he has acted as administrator of estates and has been guardian for children who were orphaned. He has long been prominent in the United Brethren Church as one of its foremost members in this section and he has done much to extend the faith. He built a church on his own place in 1873 at a cost of $800 and was one of its trustees. In 1876 the building was completely demolished by a cyclone and has never been replaced. Politically, Mr. Snyder is a Democrat. He is one of the moneyed men of his township, and has valued property here. He owns 60 acres of land, including his mill site.