GEORGE D . SNYDER . The career of George D. Snyder, of Bluffton, has been in many ways a typical American success. Coming to Indiana a poor boy, working on farms and in stores, he proved his capacity and fidelity in small things and was promoted to increasing responsibilities, finally getting into business for himself and now for many years has enjoyed an enviable position in business and civic affairs. At the present time Mr. Snyder is district agent at Bluffton for the People’s Life Insurance Comp any at Frankfort, Indiana. He is also a stockholder in the company.
Mr. Snyder was born at Mount Etna in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1863, son of Aaron and Lavina ( Lebo ) Snyder. His parents spent all their lives in Berks County. His father was a man of good education, taught in public schools, and later practiced law and became well known both in the law and in democratic politics. He was a member of the German Reformed Church. There were thirteen children in the family, ten sons and three daughters. Ten of the children are still living, Emma, Robert, George D., Keturah, Matthew, Kate, Carrie, J. L., William and Lester. George’s brother J. L. also lives at Bluffton. A member of a large family of children, George D. Snyder early acquired a sense of serious responsibility. His father was moderately well - to - do in financial circumstances but with such a l arge family it devolved upon the children as early as possible to become self supporting. George D. Snyder lived at Mount Etna until he was seventeen years of age He attended public school as opportunity offered, and at the age of nine began contributing to the support of the family. He worked in a general store and at other lines of employment. On coming to Indiana he found work in a livery barn, was there three months, then went out to Washington County, Kansas, where he found something more to his liking in a - dry goods store. Mr. Snyder came to Bluffton, Indiana, in 1881 and entered the dry goods store of that old pioneer merchant, S . M. Dailey. After three and a half years he transferred his services to another well known old time merchant, G. F. McFarren. Mr. Snyder began his employment at Bluffton at wages of a week. When he left Mr. McFarren he was getting a year. He gave up his employment in the McFarren store to enter the boot and shoe business for himself, and conducted a very successful store at Bluffton for about ten years. In the meantime he had bought the Bluffton shoe factory. The weight of business responsibilities finally undermined his health and he spent two years recuperating in Asheville, North Carolina. On leaving Bluffton he had divided his stock with a partner. He also had a brief experience in the jewelry business and later resumed the boot and shoe trade. For a short time Mr. Snyder lived with his family in California. On returning to Bluffton he entered the life insurance business, and in that line has had a very marked success. June 12, 1887, he married Miss Ida A. Sturgeon. She was born in Jefferson Township of Wells County, the only child of S. H. and Harriett (Caston) Sturgeon. Mrs. Snyder lived on the old farm with her parents until she was ten years of age. She was liberally educated, attending both the grammar and high schools at Ossian, and she also graduated in the scientific course at Valparaiso University with the degree Bachelor of Science. She took up teaching, being employed in Noble County, Indiana, and two years in the schools of Ossian. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are active members of the Baptist Church and Mrs. Snyder teaches the woman’s class in the Sunday school. Mr. Snyder is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife have owned several good properties in Bluffton and their prosperity is a source of satisfaction not only to themselves but to their many friends. Mr. Snyder has always been a leader in temperance work and some of the early meetings to promote temperance were held in his store. He and his wife had two children : Raymond G, born September 12, 1890, was educated in the grammar and high schools of Bluffton and married Miss Pearl Shardelow of Dayton Ohio. Ruephell, the daughter, was born November 16, 1892, was educated in the local schools and in a business college, and is now the wife of Thomas E. Miller. |
1889 - 1971 (82 years)