My Genealogy Hound

JESSE HEEBNER SYNDER, JR., one of the best-known teachers of Montgomery county, having had long experience in the profession, is the son of Jesse and Maria (Schultz) Snyder. He was born February 2, 1859, at the Snyder homestead in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, now occupied by his brother, Aaron Snyder. He attended the public schools of the district until he had attained his eighteenth year, being one of the foremost pupils. He then attended the North Wales Academy and School of Business, of which Samuel U. Brunner was principal, having organized and conducted it successfully from his early manhood to the time of his death. Mr. Snyder also attended Norristown high school for one year. He next taught for two years in the school in which he had formerly been a pupil in Towamencin township, being very successful in the maintenance of order and in imparting knowledge. He then entered as a student at the State Normal School at West Chester, Pennsylvania, his object being to qualify himself more thoroughly for his profession of teaching. He graduated from that institution in the class of 1884, and resumed his profession of teaching, better equipped than ever for the difficult and arduous task before him. He was teacher of the Western School, in Upper Gwynedd township for a period of fourteen years, and since 1900 has had charge of what is known as the “Eight Square” school, in that township, having acquired a reputation as a capable and conscientious teacher. Mr. Snyder married, November 12, 1892, Mrs. Elmira (Kriebel) Cassel, daughter of Andrew and Regina (Kriebel) Kriebel, and widow of Abraham K. Cassel. Mr. Snyder then located at Locust Corner, in Towamencin township, where he remained until 1895, when, having bought a property with three acres of land at Gwynedd Square, with substantial improvements, from the estate of Josiah Snyder, he removed to it, and has since resided there. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Snyder: John, born November 11, 1894; Mabel, born November 15, 1903.

In politics Mr. Snyder is a Republican, he having always manifested a good degree of interest in the success of its candidates and principles. He is now serving his second term as township auditor, a position which in Gwynedd township has been in past years filled by its leading citizens. In his religious views he follows the traditions of his forefathers, and adheres to the Schwenkfelder faith.

Jesse Snyder (father) was the son of Joseph Snyder and his wife, Sophia (Krieble) Snyder. Jesse Snyder was born February 15, 1812, and died in 1894, on the farm now occupied by Isaac Snyder, a relative. Jesse Snyder was a farmer by occupation, and was actively interested in township affairs, especially in educational work, serving for a number of years as a school director. He affiliated with the Whig party, and later with the Republican organization. In religious faith he was a Schwenkfelder, being for many years a deacon. He married, November 17, 1836, Maria, daughter of Henry and Anna (Schultz) Heebner. Mrs. Snyder was born October 31, 1817. Their children: Hannah, born October 20, 1837, died November 19, 1839; Margaret, born November 8, 1838, died November 2, 1839; Lydia, born October 16, 1840, and lives in Towamencin township, being unmarried; John H., born January 3, 1843, married, in January, 1869, Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Silas and Margaret (Davis) Kulp, is a farmer, and resides in Towamencin township; Elias, born August 24, 1845, married Lydia, daughter of Abraham and Barbara (Kriebel) Weigner, of Cedars post office, in Towamencin township; Susanna, born November 22, 1847, died December 29, 1874; Aaron, born October 29, 1850, married Emeline, daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Kriebel) Dresher; Elizabeth, born March 11, 1853, married Aaron Bergey Kriebel; Mary, born January 4, 1856, married Adam, son of Abraham and Mary (Heydrick) Fisher; Jesse H., subject of this sketch; Sarah, born March 4, 1862, died September 10, 1863.

Joseph Snyder (grandfather) was the son of Henry and Regina (Reinewald) Snyder. He married, April 25, 1811, Sophia, daughter of Abraham and Eve Kriebel. Sophia was born January 18, 1789. Joseph, her husband, was born September 17, 1786. Their children: Jesse (father), Margaret, born April 14, 1814; Hannah, born July 25, 1816; Elizabeth, born August 31, 1818, died August 1, 1876; George, born July 16, 1821. Sophia Snyder died September 4, 1824. Joseph died December 1, 1858.

Henry Snyder (great-grandfather) was the son of Heinrich and Rosina (Neuman) Schneider. He was born in Gwynedd township, and married, May 10, 1785, Regina, daughter of Balthasar and Elizabeth (Yeakel) Reinewald. Their children: Joseph (grandfather); Abraham and Isaac (twins), born July 23, 1789; Job, born November 11, 1793; Regina, born December 8, 1795, died at the age of one week; Elizabeth, born November 28, 1798. Regina Snyder, wife of Henry, died November 5, 1825, aged sixty-one years. Henry died April 2, 1836, aged seventy-three years.

Heinrich Schneider, the immigrant, born August 3, 1729, in Germany, arrived in Pennsylvania, August 30, 1749, united himself with the Schwenkfelder Society, and married Rosina, daughter of Christopher Neuman. Heinrich settled in Gwynedd township, then Philadelphia county, now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. His children: Rosina, 1757; George, 1758; Christopher, 1761; Henry (great-grandfather); Christian, 1764; Abraham and Isaac (twins), born July 23, 1769; Susanna, 1772; John. Heinrich Schneider and his wife each died at an advanced age, he April 3,1779, and she March 16, 1804. Christopher Neuman, father of Heinrich Schneider’s wife, came with his wife, Susanna Muehrner, in 1734, with the other Schwenkfelders, to Pennsylvania, bringing two children- David and Rosina. He lived in Gwynedd township, near the present village of West Point. His wife, Susanna Neuman, died March 27, 1760. He died September 10, 1768.

It has been seen that the Snyders have married Schwenkfelders ever since the coming of their ancestor, Heinrich, to this country. His descendants are very numerous, and among the most substantial citizens of the middle and upper end of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, having retained very largely the traits of industry, integrity and thrift which distinguished their forefathers.