Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 370 - 371 

C.W. SNYDER is a name representing a prominent capitalist of Wichita. The fall of 1873 introduced him to this place. He bought a quarter-section of land in Wichita Township when he first came, and farmed it for two years. He then, in 1875, took up a claim on the Ninnescah River of 160 acres. He made some improvements on this place, then sold it, and went to Colorado on a prospecting and mining tour, but one year there satisfied him that Kansas was a better place for him, so he returned and engaged in a confectionery and "short order" house on Main street. Two years at the last-mentioned business satisfied Mr. Snyder, so he went with Mr. Griffenstein into the Indian Territory, where they located a stock ranch, now known as the Griffenstein Ranch. After six months Mr. Snyder returned and became a member of the police force of Wichita, with which he remained thirty-four months. His health then failing he resigned and went to the Hot Springs, Ark., and was greatly benefited there. He then returned and went into the real-estate business, which he has since successfully followed. 

            Our subject was born March 18, 1849, at Canton, Fulton Co., Ill., and is the son of George and Mary (Racley) Snyder. They were from New Jersey and Northampton, Pa. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, and followed boating on the Ohio River. Mary Racley's father was a native of the same State, a farmer, a Democrat, descended from the Germans. By trade the elder Snyder was a blacksmith, and now resides in Tazewell County, Ill. They have four children -- Amelia, Maggie, Charles W. and Mary. The first mentioned is now Mrs. Tripps, and resides in Peoria, Ill.; Maggie joined her fortunes with John Swartz, and resides at Joliet; Mary is at home, where all good girls usually are till they have a home of their own. 

            The Mr. Snyder of whom we began writing was reared on a farm, and remained at home till his eighteenth year. He farmed thereafter in Illinois three years, then came to Wichita. He put up two buildings here, one where he now resides, and in 1887 the one adjoining on North Lawrence street. He built a grocery house on the corner of Main and Central streets in 1883; he also put up a blacksmith-shop on the same block. The Myers and Snyder Addition to the city was laid out by Mr. Snyder and his wife's father. It lies north of Carey Park and contains eighty acres, which they have sold. This is not the only property he has handled. He has a five-story building on Douglas avenue, besides other buildings in different parts of the city. 

            Mr. Snyder and Miss Gertie A. Myers were married in 1884. She was a resident of the city. Her parents' names are Thomas L. and Kansas A. (Saltzman) Myers, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Cortland County, N.Y. Mrs. Snyder is the first daughter of their family. Mr. Snyder is a Democrat in politics and a gentleman in principle. He has paid liberally to the support of public enterprises of the city, and is in every way a worthy citizen.

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