Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 462 - 463 

H. H. SNYDER is a farmer and stock-grower of Rockford Township, of which lie was one of the first settlers. His farm, finely located on section 27, is all under cultivation; its rich, alluvial soil has well repaid his care, and yields him a fine income. He has built a good, commodious residence, his farm buildings are comfortable and convenient, and his orchard of choice fruit trees is in a bearing condition. He makes a specialty of raising fine, blooded horses, and has met with unmeasured success in that line, his horses being in great demand and selling at good figures; they are among the best in this township. His cattle are of common stock, but are well kept, sleek-looking animals, and command fair prices whenever he wishes to dispose of them. Formerly he paid great attention to raising superior breeds of hogs, more so than at present.

      Our subject was the seventh of a family of eleven children born to William and Mary E. (Martin) Snyder, and was born Feb. 15, 1845, in Kentucky. His parents were born in Kentucky, his father in 1812, his mother in 1817. His father was a farmer, and moving to Missouri with his family plied his calling there, for twelve years. He then moved to Saline County, Kan., and after a brief residence there of six months his useful life was brought to a close by death in the spring of 1864.

      Our subject grew to manhood in Missouri, receiving the usual educational advantages in the common schools, and from his worthy parents a good training in the duties of life, so that he was well prepared to make his own way in the world. He was strong, energetic and ambitious, and when lie adopted the calling to which he had been reared as his life work he determined to have land of his own. Accordingly he came to Saline County, this State, with his father, in the year 1863, and pre-empted a quarter-section in Smoky Hill, living there for several years. He commenced with characteristic energy and resolution to set about preparing the land for culture, and he steadily carried on its improvement while it remained in his possession, increasing its value many fold. He finally decided to take up his abode in Rockford Township, and in 1870 pre-empted a quarter-section on Spring Creek, where he lived until 1882, when he bought the farm where he now resides. This farm is considered one of the finest and most productive in the township, he having spared no pains or money in its improvement.

      In building up this attractive home our subject has had the cheerful and able assistance of a good wife, to whom he was married Aug. 1, 1867. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Farris, and she is one of the two children born to Lindsey and Elizabeth (Snyder) Farris, natives of Kentucky. In 1856 they became residents of Shawnee County, Kan., where her father kept a store, in those days called "ranches," for the accommodation of travelers, continuing in that business for a number of years until his death. Mrs. Snyder received her education in the schools of Shawnee County. To her and her husband have been born four children, viz: William, born April 5, 1869; Charles H., Nov. 27, 1879; Amy, Sept. 8, 1884; Fred W., Jan. 24, 1887.

      Mr. Snyder is identified with the I. O. O. F., and is a full member of the lodge to which he belongs. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is one of its strongest supporters in this vicinity. His intelligence, ability, and well-known probity of character make him a leading citizen of Rockford Township, and he is now serving his second term as Township Treasurer.

[ Home ]