| Notes |
- Middle Initial "D" taken from Property Records 1850 Winimac Land Office. Certificate 18953 and 18952 __________
"Each year there are new members of the family present as always, some have gone to their final resting place.
This brief history is written as a tribute to the memory of Adam and Ann Snyder, the founders of the Snyder Family in Marshall County, Indiana by A W O'Keefe"
Snyder Family March 31, 1936
One of the first pioneer families to locate in Marshall County was that of Adam Snyder, who with his wife, Ann Sparks Snyder and their nine children came to what is now Marshall County, in April 1834, two Years before the county was organized.
Adam Snyder, the son of Adam Snyder, was a native of Maryland, having been born near Fredericksburg March 2nd 1795.
At the early age of seventeen he became a soldier in the War of 1812, and was one of three thousand soldiers under General Harrison who fought the decisive Battle of the Thames, in Canada. It was at this battle that the famous Indian Chief Tecum seh was killed. Years later when questioned about the battle, Adam would make the remark "I saw Tecumseh fall, but I don 't want to talk any more about it."
The rifle and powder horn that Adam Snyder carried in the War of 1812 is a cherished heirloom of the Snyder family. handwritten note (In possession at Timothy L. Okeete, Mishawaka, In (1984) M. Durman.
One of Adam Snyder's comrades and a close friend, was a young man named Sparks, who after they were mustered out of service, prevailed upon Adam to make a visit to the Sparks home near Prountytown Va.
During this visit Adam became acquainted with Ann Sparks to whom he was married on April 27, 1817.
Ann Sparks Snyder was born January 10th, 1800.Therefore the young couple were respectively twenty two, and seventeen Years of age at the time of their marriage.
Immediately after the wedding ceremony, Adam with others, built and launched a "flat boat" on the headwaters of the Monongahela River in Virginia. Embarking their respective families and earthly possessions, they proceeded down the river on thei r perilous journey west, past Pittsburgh, then a village, into the Ohio River. Their landing was at a point on the North shore of the river in Ohio.
From here they proceeded overland to Hardin County, Ohio, where the father of Adam had previously taken a homestead near Roundhead. Near the father's homestead the young couple lived for seventeen Years, during which time nine children had com e to bless their union.
Early in the year 1834 the urge had come again to move westward. With the courage of the early pioneers Adam, his wife and children, set out again in two covered wagons bound for what was called the rich Illinois land country. After a six week s journey from Roundhead, during which they sometimes had to stop to cut a way through the forest, they arrived at a point four miles north of Plymouth, where is now located the Fairmount Church.
Beside their live stock, wagons and household goods, their wealth was all in schillings, of which they had "two peck measures full." Father and sons would alternate at night in standing guard to protect this treasure from roving robbers, and hos tile Indiana.
It was in Marshall County that the destiny of the Snyder family was changed, for Adam was prevailed upon to buy land in Marshall County and make this his permanent home. The land could be bought for $1.25 an acre and Adam bought nearly 400 acres . Also it was pointed out that work could be had in the construction of the Michigan Road.
Part of this homestead is still owned by some of the grandchildren and great grandchildren, but the log home in which the family first lived, is long since gone.
Shortly after making their camp at Fairmount another and younger pioneer family joined them. A child of the latter family, whose names are unknown, became sick and died. Adam Snyder together with his son John went into the woods and cut a popla r tree from which was hewed a coffin. After a short service the child was buried on the hill where now is Fairmount. This was the first burial and Farimount is now believed to be the oldest cemetery in the county.
Adam Snyder was one of those who helped organize the county in 1836. He was the first Judge of the election held in North Township on August 5th, 1836. When the Snyder family first came to Marshall County there were neighter bridges nor fences a nd livestock was allowed to run wild in the woods.
There were many Indians, although most of them were friendly.
Personally, Adam Snyder was a tall, quiet man, and as one of his children had described him, was "as straight and quick as an Indian and as good a hunter". Although devoting most of his time to farming he was said to be fond of taking his rifl e and spending hours alone in the woods. He was naturally reserved, but friendly in character and his decendants are proud to know that he was regarded as a trustworthy and honest man.
To the Union of Adam Snyder and Ann Sparks the following thirteen children were born all of whom lived to a useful adult life.
Soloman Snyder Born March 24, 1818 Died Feb 20, 1892
Simon Snyder Born Oct 19, 1819 Died Aug 18, 1878
John Snyder Born Oct 25, 1821 Died Mar 7, 1865
James Snyder Born Oct 1, 1823 Died May 19, 1877
Julia Ann SnyderBorn July 31, 1825 Died Nov 4, 1916
Lucinda Snyder Born Nov 24 1827 Died April 27, 1864
Elizabeth SnyderBorn Feb 22, 1830 Died Sept 7, 1863
Mary Jane SnyderBorn Dec 29, 1832 Died Apr 2, 1886
Delilah SnyderBorn Feb 9, 1834 Died Mar 3, 1916
Isabella Emily Snyder Born Aug 26, 1836 Died May 7, 1907
David Snyder Born Jan 22. 1839 Died July 16, 1892
Amanda Magdalene Snyder Born Dec 5, 1841Died Feb 22, 1879
George Washington Snyder Born Nov 30, 1846 Died Oct 13, 1922
The last four were born in Marshall County. In addition to these thirteen children, are many descendants. Grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren, many of whom still live in Marsall County.
Adam Snyder died May 18, 1847. Ann Sparks Snyder died Jan 27th, 1873. They are both buried at Fairmount in Marshall County.
There is on record at the County Recorder's office a genealgoical chart of the Snyder family the first of its kind to be recorded in the County. Since this chart was recorded many changes and additions have been made, so that today the decendant s of Adam and Ann Snyder number into the Hundreds, many of whom have held positions of trust and honor in various branches of our State and County Government.
The Snyder family holds a reunion each year, usually, in Marshall County. __________
History of Marshall County Indiana Sesquicentennial 1836 ? 1986
Page 401 Written by Bess Snyder Cullison
One of the first pioneer families to locate in North Township was that of Adam Snyder, who with his wife, Ann Sparks Snyder, and their nine children came to what is now Marshall County, in 1834, two years before the county was organized.
Adam Snyder, whose father was born in Germany, was a native of Maryland. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He met his wife, Ann Sparks, during a visit to one of his army comrades and good friend, "Sparks."
Adam and his bride built and launched a flat boat, loaded with all their possessions, on the Monongahela River in Virginia. They landed at a point in Ohio and proceeded overland to Hardin County, Ohio, where they lived 17 years.
Early in1834, they, Adam, his wife, and 9 children; again moved westward in two covered wagons. They arrived at a point four miles north of Plymouth, what was later known as Fairmount. Adam decided to make this his permenant home and purchased 4 00 acres of land, which was selling for $1.25 per acre. Four more children were born to this union.
Simon, second son of Adam and Ann, was born in Hardin County, Ohio in 1819. He was married to Anne E. Kipler. Nine children were born to Simon and Anne. Only four reached maturity.
Perry Snyder, their youngest son, was born in 1870. His mother died when he was two years old, and his father died when he was eight. He stayed with whomever would take him in, helping with chores or anything a child can do, to pay for room an d board. He married Cora Dell Spaid in 1891, and to this union were born 11 children. Four members of this family still reside in North Township: Cletys Snyder Yocum, Orval, Howard and Bess Snyder Cullison. Howard still lives on the old home pla ce, which has been in the family possession for 80 years.
This family history, published 12 years ago when LaPaz celebrated it's 100th anniversary, has many changes.
Howard sold the old house and several acres to his grand-nephew, John Sullivan, who intended remodeling but found the structure so deteriorated he decided to wreck it and rebuild. The new house is a replica of the old home, only larger. Built o n the same location, full two-story, baths up and down, an open stairway to second story and very comfortable.
Our father's burthday was February 28 and as many as could went home to he lp him celebrate his birthday.
Thanksgiving Day was a day to celebrate too, by all of us going out to the farm. We still do, even to the point of some going rabbit hunting.
Lulu and howard lived with our father after our mother was gone.
Now Howard and Minnie are gone, Ora lives in Plymouth; Rolland in Monticello; Cletys at Lake-of-the-woods; Orval and Bessie in LaPaz. Bess Snyder Cullison
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Carl & Elaine (Grove) Rhodes' Genealogy Pages
1795 - 1847 (51 years)