Biographies for Edwin and Simeon Snyder, Eaton County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by Jan Sedore. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ SNYDER FAMILY EATON COUNTY MICHIGAN PAST AND PRESENT OF EATON COUNTY Page 564 EDWIN M. SNYDER, M. D. Edwin M. Snyder, M. D., is one of the able representatives of his profession in Eaton County and is established in successful practice in the village of Sunfield. He was born in Barry county, Michigan, October 24, 1866, and is a son of Dr. George W. and Mary A. (Bowman) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Elmira, New York, in 1844, being now a successful physician and surgeon at Mulliken, Eaton county; his wife also is living, being a native of the state of Pennsylvania. In 1854 John Snyder, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Michigan and settled on a pioneer farm in Baltimore Township, Barry County, his son George W. having been ten years of age at the time. The latter received a thorough training in his profession and has been engaged in the active practice of the same since 1878. Of his children Dr. Edwin M. is the eldest; Henry P. is a prosperous farmer of Ionia county; Fannie is the wife of Leon Moyer, of that county; George W., Jr., is likewise engaged in farming in Ionia county; and Winnie died at the age of seven years. Edwin M. Snyder received his early educational training in the public schools of Portland, Ionia County. He was then matriculated in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery, in the city of Detroit, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889, r4eceiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith located in Sunfield, which village had its inception about that time, and though a young man he may be considered a pioneer physician of this place, having built up a large and representative practice in this part of the county and being held in high regard both as a physician and as a citizen. He is the owner of a nice residence and his well equipped office building and is one of the public-spirited citizens of the village in which he makes his home. He has served as health officer but has never been a candidate for any other office. He is a Republican in his political allegiance, is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. March 4, 1892, Dr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Rosamond E. Derby, who was born in Ionia county, Michigan, February 28, 1868, a daughter of Edwin C. and Nellie (Carpenter) Derby, the former of whom now resides in Sunfield and the latter of whom is deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Snyder have four children: John H., born January 28, 1893; Jessie, December 28, 1897; and Robert and Roberta, twins, born August 12, 1905. It may be said in conclusion that the family of which Dr. Snyder is a scion is of Holland Dutch extraction, he being of the fifth generation in direct descent from one of the name who came to America from Holland in the colonial era of our national history, three of his brothers having accompanied him to the new world. PAST AND PRESENT OF EATON COUNTY Page 565 SIMEON A. SNYDER Simeon A. Snyder, of Walton Township, is following the vocation of bridge contractor, and also supervises the cultivation of the fine farm, which his wife inherited from her father's estate. Mr. Snyder was born in Lamont, Ottawa County, Michigan, November 10, 1859, being a son of Simeon A. and Calista P. (See) Snyder, both of whom were born in the state of New York, whence they came to Michigan in an early day, and for a term of years they conducted a hotel in Lamont. They became the parents of nine sons, all of whom are living except two. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Michigan and has resided on the present homestead since 1899. He has built up a prosperous business as a bridge contractor and is a popular citizen of Walton Township. He is a Republican in his po9litical allegiance but has never been a seeker of public office. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Emmie E. Starkweather, who was born and reared in Eaton County, being a daughter of that honored pioneer, the late George A. Starkweather, who was one of the prominent and influential farmers and business men of Brookfield township. To Mr. and Mrs Snyder were born six children, of whom five are living, namely: Bessie, Robert, Jerusha, Ray and Jessie. Bessie, who was born in Kent county, Michigan, is now the wife of Allen Krebs, of Pine Lake, Ingham County; Robert, Jerusha and Ray were born in Eaton County, and still remain at the parental hone; Jessie was born in Ingham County, and is still a member of the home circle; Eva was born at Cedar Springs, Kent County, and died in 1883, aged two years, nine months and twenty-two days. The homestead owned by Mrs Snyder comprises eighty acres, all available for cultivation, while the farm is well improved. She inherited the property from the estate of her father, who died in 1899. She is a daughter of George A. and Eliza J. (Maxson) Starkweather, considering whom it is fitting that more definite mention be made in this connection. Mr. Starkweather was born in Burlington, Otsego County, New York, December 19, 1833, being a son of Alfred and Marilla (Tarner) Starkweather, who passed the closing years of their lives in Michigan. George A. passed his childhood and youth in the dominion of Canada, and finally became a resident of Ohio, whence he came to Eaton County, Michigan, as a pioneer of 1854, locating in Charlotte, where he followed the carpenter's trade for a time. In 1859 he purchased forty acres of wild land in Brookfield township, soon afterward securing an additional tract of the same area. There was a log cabin on the place and this was the first dwelling of the family. In 1870 Mr. Starkweather purchased a steam sawmill, which was burned the following year. He rebuilt the mill and finally removed the same to his farm. He later established on the farm a fine modern plant, including planing mill, etc., and he built up a most flourishing manufacturing enterprise, the products of his establishment including whiffletrees, handles, mouldings, and general building materials in the lumber line. He was one of the leading men of his section and left a fine property, while his life was one marked by impregnable integrity and honor, so that he ever commanded the high regard of his fellow men. His wife passed to the life eternal I 1893, and of their six children four are living, Mrs. Snyder having been the second in order of birth, the date of her nativity being July 15, 1860. Eva, the oldest, died at the age of two years, two months, and two days. Hattie I., the youngest, died at the age of seventeen years. The names of the others living are Geo. M., Jessie and Mary. dz