History of Bucks
County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
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HENRY H. SNYDER Henry H SNYDER, one of the prominent and successful farmers of Hilltown township, was born December 10, 1842, on the farm upon which he still resides and which has been the property of this direct ancestors for over a century, having been purchased by Jacob SCHNEIDER June 6, 1796. The SNYDER family (originally spelled "SCHNEIDER") were among the earliest settlers in Hilltown and the "Manor of Perkasie," which included a part of Hilltown township and the Rockhills. The pioneer ancestor of this branch of the family was Michael SCHNEIDER probably a native of Germany, and certainly of German parentage, who with sons Jacob, Michael, Conrad, and Christian; and daughters; Hannah, wife of Frederick SHULL; Catharine, wife of Jacob HIGH, and Rebecca SNYDER, settled in Hilltown township, prior to the Revolution. Both he and his two eldest sons became extensive landowners there prior to 1779. Michael SNYDER died in Hilltown in 1806 and devised his plantation, purchased in 1777 of the Penns, to his son Conrad, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Michael Jr. died in 1822, and also devised his farm to his brother Conrad. Jacob SCHNEIDER, the grandfather of Henry H. SNYDER, was the son of Conrad and Catharine SCHNEIDER, and was born in Hilltown about the year 1770. He married Elizabeth YOST, and in 1796 purchased 112 acres near the source of the west branch of the Neshaminy, one-half mile west of Leidytown, where he resided until his death in 1822. He was a saddler by trade, and followed that business in connection with the conduct of his farm. The children of Jacob and Elizabeth (YOST) SCHNEIDER, were: George; Michael, who married (first) Mary ROSENBERGER and (second) Elizabeth ROSENBERGER; Enos; Elias; Christian; Catharine, married John L. SHELLENBERGER; Hannah, died unmarried; Lydia, married Jacob SAVACOOL; Amelia, married Levi SELLERS; and Elizabeth, who married Charles ECKHARDT. The family were members of the Lutheran church, and were among the founders of St. Peter's Lutheran church of Hilltown. George SNYDER, eldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth, was born on the old Hilltown homestead, and at his father's death in 1822 became its owner. He erected a mill thereon, now conducted by his grandson, Isaiah S. SNYDER, which he operated for a number of years. In 1850 he conveyed the lower half of the homestead with the mill to his son Francis, and in 1872 conveyed the remainder to his youngest son Henry H., the subject of this sketch. He later purchased the Peter L.SNYDER farm adjoining, and lived thereon until his death, January 10, 1884. He was a member and trustee of St. Peter's Lutheran church of Hilltown, and was one of the prominent business men of Hilltown, and interested in the local enterprises of that section. In politics he was a Democrat, and took an active part in the councils of his party. He was a director of the poor for Bucks county for the term 1868-1871, and likewise filled many local offices. He was married four times. He married (first) July 4, 1824, Mary WITTIG, born March 1, 1803, died November 16, 1837, who bore him five children - Francis, who died in Hilltown several years ago, leaving a large family; Jacob B. for many years a prominent merchant at Plumsteadville, Bucks county; Ephraim; Sarah Ann; and Mary Ann. He married (second) Lydia HARTZELL, born July 3, 1807, died January 18, 1858; their only child was Henry H., the subject of this sketch. His third wife was Elizabeth MARTIN, born March 5, 1811, died September 1, 1873. Mr. SNYDER married a fourth time, February 12, 1876, Caroline WOODRING, who was born April 14, 1814. No children were born to the last two marriages. Page 583 Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III Transcribed June 2001 by Pat Reagan as part of the Bucks Co., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html Published June 2001 on the Bucks county, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/ |
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Page was last edited:
11/15/2008