My Genealogy Hound

P. O. Snyder, jeweler and watch-maker at Peirce City, Mo., was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., November, 1837. His father, Abraham Snyder, was born in the same place, and was also a watch-maker by trade. He was married to Margaret Ottman, a native of the same county and State as himself, and their union resulted in the birth of six children. P. O. Snyder is their eldest child, and was reared in his native county, learning the printer’s and watch-maker’s trades. He moved to Illinois in 1858 (Kankakee County), and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years. He was at Jackson’s Cross Roads, the siege of Vicksburg, Fort Blakely and others, and at the close of the war returned home, and was engaged in the peaceful pursuit of farming until 1868, when he came to Barry County, Mo., and since that time has been engaged in the watch-making and jewelry business. Since 1880 he has been a resident of Peirce City, and is considered one of its upright citizens. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and G A. R., and has held the office of justice of the peace. January 10, l866, he was married to Esther A. Niskern, who was born in the same county as her husband. They have four children: John E., Nancy M., Frank and Stella. Mr. Snyder was twice elected mayor; first time by a plurality of nine, and second time by a majority of sixty-six, but was refused certificate of election by the board of aldermen, on technical points.