Snyder, Charles Howard 1879-1951

SNYDER, BUNCE, SHELDRAKE, ACHENBACK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/15/2011 at 16:59:05

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Nov. 8, 1951

C.H. SNYDER DIES SUDDENLY IN HOME HERE

Retired Business Man Stricken At Close Of A Happy Evening

Stricken without warning by a coronary thrombosis Charles H. Snyder, retired Grinnell business man, died at his home, 1415 Broad street, about 1 o'clock Wednesday morning, aged 72 years, 3 months and 3 days.

Funeral arrangements are uncertain, pending the arrival of a niece of Mrs. Snyder, Mrs. Allan Bunce of Beverly Hills, Calif. Friends may call the Smith funeral home.

A HAPPY EVENING

It had been a happy evening for Mr. Snyder. He and Charles Sumner had gone over to Kellogg and had cooked a turkey dinner in celebration of the birthday of their good friend and fishing companion A.C. Holmdahl. Charley got back about 10 o'clock feeling fine and after watching television for a time retired about 11:30. He began to feel uncomfortable shortly after and grew worse rapidly. A physician was summoned but death had resulted before he could arrive.

RESIDENT 33 YEARS

Mr. Snyder, in partnership with his brother, O.S. Snyder, who died only a few months ago, had been a Grinnell resident for 33 years and an active business man for 25 years. They operated a furniture and undertaking business in the same location as the present McGregor store, starting business on Armistice day of 1918 and operating actively until they closed out the business and retired in 1943. "Ollie" and "Charlie" were progressive, up-to-date business men and are remembered pleasantly by all who had contacts with them during those years.

AN ARDENT SPORTSMAN

An ardent sportsman, he had spent much time since his retirement in his favorite hobby, taking fishing trips to Florida, Minnesota and Canada on frequent occasions, often as a guest on the Holmdahl houseboat on the Lake of the Woods.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Leila Snyder, two brothers, John of Revere, Mo., and O.A. Snyder of Fostoria, Ohio, a sister, Miss Bessie Snyder of Kahoka, Mo., a nephew, O.H. Snyder of Caracas, Venezuela and a niece, Mrs. Allen Bunce of Beverly Hills, Calif.

BUSINESS CAREER

Charles Howard Snyder was born in Beaver, Pa., August 4, 1879, the son of Obadiah J. and Margaret Sheldrake Snyder. He later moved with his parents to Kahoka, Mo., and graduated from high school there in 1897. On May 5, 1905, he was united in marriage with Leila Achenback, in Warrensburg, Mo. From 1897 to 1899 he was employed as a tinner and salesman with the Skirvin Hardware Co. in LeBelle, Mo. and from 1900 to 1902 he was with the Jones Hardware Co. in What Cheer. From 1902 to 1904 he clerked for the Hackett, Walther & Gates Wholesale Hardware Co. in St. Paul, Minn. and in 1904 and 1905 was a specialty salesman covering five states. In 1905-06 he owned and operated a tin shop and hardware store in Kahoka, Mo., and from 1906 to 1909 conducted a tin shop and tank works at Chelaca, Okla. From 1909 to 1911 he was part owner of a Texas Oil Refinery in Texas City. He then formed a partnership with his brother and from 1911 until coming to Grinnell in 1918 they conducted a furniture, undertaking, heating and plumbing business in Adair.

AFFILIATIONS

Before coming to Grinnell Mr. Snyder had served as city clerk of Adair. In Grinnell he was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, was a charter member and past president, in 1935, of the Kiwanis club, had been president of the Grinnell Federal Savings & Loan association since its organization, and belonged to the Iowa Funeral Directors and Embalmers association, the Masons, Shrine, Knights of Pythias and Elks lodges and the Country club. He was a member of the Congregational church.