Biographical Sketch of

Willis Ellsworth Snyder

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 526 - 527

 
Adams county, Wisconsin, is not without her full quota of intelligent and enterprising farmers, and foremost among those 
of New Haven township stands the gentleman whose name introduces these  paragraphs.  He has not engaged in that calling 
many years, but has steadily pushed himself to the front and is recognized as one of the rising young men of his 
community.  He is a member of one of the leading families of Adams County, and at present resides on the Snyder 
homestead, and aside from his farming, devotes a share of time to teaching.

Mr. Snyder was born in Kilbourn, Wisconsin, April 29, 1867, the son of Alfred and Jane (Whipple) Snyder.  The great-
grandfather of our subject came from Germany and settled in New York, and the grandfather, George Snyder, moved to 
Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he died, his wife, Caroline Snyder, passing away in New York.  Our subjects' father, 
Alfred Snyder, was born in Sardinia, Erie county, New York, September 19, 1833, and died in the town of New Haven, 
Adams county, Wisconsin, June 3, 1886.  He lived some years in Pennsylvania, and came to Wisconsin about 1854, 
locating at Stevens Point, where he was engaged in lumbering, and also had more or less logging contracts.  He later 
lived in Marathon county, and in 1863 moved to Adams county.  He enlisted in Battery F, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery,
August 19, 1864, and on account of disability was discharged February 23, 1865, after he had spent some time in Fort 
Lyon hospital.  After the war he was employed in operating a ferry on the Wisconsin river at Kilbourn and in 1874 he 
purchased a farm in section 16, New Haven township, Adams county, where he resided until his death.  He cleared most 
of the land and made improvements, and left the farm to his heirs at his death.  He had filled the principal offices 
in his township, and for a time was under sheriff of Adams county.  He took an active part in all matters pertaining 
to the welfare of his community, and attended numerous conventions.  He was a Republican in political faith and worked 
zealously for his party.  He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and John Gillespie Post, G. A. R., 
at Kilbourn.  His marriage to Jane E. Whipple, the mother of our subject, occurred January 28, 1856.  Mrs. Snyder was 
the daughter of Samuel and Marcy (Aldrich) Whipple, the father of Welch lineage, and both natives of Vermont.  Her 
father settled in Adams county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and died June 8, 1867, aged seventy years.  Her mother died in 
Pennsylvania, in 1843, aged forty-four years.  Mrs. Snyder is the mother of three sons, Charles L., a resident of New 
Haven township; Frank L. died in 1866, aged two years; and Willis E., our subject.

W. E. Snyder attended the public schools of his native place and in 1894 completed a course in the Capital City 
Commercial College, at Des Moines, Iowa.  He taught school for several years, and for a time was employed in a store 
at Victor, Colorado.  Since 1896 he has resided on the homestead farm in New Haven township, Adams county, and the 
estate bears evidence of prosperous management and care.  He also spends a portion of his time as an instructor in the 
public schools.  

Mr. Snyder was married September 14, 1892, to Beulah Powers, daughter of Oscar and Louise (Rider) Powers, and a native 
of Adams county, Wisconsin.  The father of Mrs. Snyder died in Canada, and her mother resides in Big Springs, Wisconsin.  
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder; Marjorie and Wesley Howard.  Both our subject and wife are members 
of the Congregational church at Big Springs, and Mr. Snyder holds membership in Hustler Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, 
and is treasurer of the local lodge.  In political sentiment he is a Republican and stands firmly for the principles of 
his party.  He is awake to the needs of his community, and is one of the public-spirited men of New Haven township.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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