SIMEON A. SNYDER

SIMEON A. SNYDER, of WaIton 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 political 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 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 home; 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 1583, 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 saw mill, 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 planning mill, etc., and he built up a most flourishing manufacturing enterprise, the products of his establishment including whiffletrees, handles, moldings, 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 in 1593, 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.