Charles W. Snyder Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1059-1060 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	CHARLES W. SNYDER, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in 
Mellette township, Spink county, is a native of the Badger state, having 
been born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on the 10th of January, 1855, 
and being a son of A. K. and Margaret Snyder, the former of whom was 
born in Germany, while the latter was a native of Ireland. Both died in 
Wisconsin, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits for 
many years, having been one of the early settlers in Washington county.  

	The subject grew up on the home farm and as a boy became inured to the 
strenuous work involved in its cultivation, while he received his 
educational training in the common schools of Hartford, Wisconsin. In 
1876 he purchased a small farm in Dodge county, that state, and 
initiated his independent career as a husbandman. As he himself has 
stated the case, he “farmed the same two years, among stumps, stones and 
gravelly hills, the land being high-priced at that." His experience in 
this connection doubtless accounts in no small measure for his marked 
appreciation of the superior advantages found in his present location. 
In the fall of 1878 Mr. Snyder disposed of his farm in Wisconsin and 
moved westward into Minnesota, locating in Freeborn county, where he 
purchased a small farm, to whose improvement and cultivation he devoted 
his attention for the ensuing seven years, disposing of the property in 
1885 and coming thence to what is now Spink county, South Dakota, his 
financial resources at the time being represented in the sum of about 
two thousand dollars. Apropos of this statement we may say that his 
estate at the present time may be conservatively placed at a valuation 
of twenty thousand dollars, and the significance of the comparative 
statements is prima facie. Shortly after his arrival in the county Mr. 
Snyder purchased a quarter section of land in Mellette township, one 
mile southwest of the present village of Mellette, and this has ever 
since been his place of residence, while as success has crowned his 
efforts he has added to his landed possessions from time to time until 
he is now the owner of a valuable ranch of six hundred acres, while the 
permanent improvements are of excellent order, everything about the 
place betokening thrift and prosperity, while it may be stated that Mr. 
Snyder is recognized as an able business man and as one who is well 
entitled to unequivocal confidence and esteem. To the writer he spoke 
most pertinently as follows, the words well indicating his attitude: "I 
intend to remain here, and, all things considered, believe this part of 
the Jim river valley the best agricultural region in the United States." 
On the place is found an abundant supply of pure water, the same being 
secured from a fine artesian well. In politics Mr. Snyder has always 
been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its principles, 
though he has never sought office of any sort. Fraternally, he is 
identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and the Royal Neighbors.  

	On the 9th of October, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. 
Snyder to Miss Josephine Dempsey, a daughter of James Dempsey, of 
Hartford, Wisconsin, and it is pleasing to note that the family circle 
remains unbroken at the time of this writing, their twelve children all 
being still beneath the home roof, while eight of the number were born 
on the homestead here. The names of the children are here entered in 
order of birth: Frank, Harry, Mattie, Helen, Frederick, Lois, Mary and 
Howard (twins), Carl, Frances, and Willard and Wilburt (twins).