Alva Snyder

SNYDER PILGRIM MCCORMICK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 19:15:11

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Alva Snyder
By Michael A Snyder

Alva S C Snyder, the son of J C and Emily E Pilgrim Snyder, was born March 13, 1875, at Blyburg, Dakota County, Nebraska. He had two brothers, James and Alfred, two sisters, Martha and Elizabeth, and one half-sister, Mary. Alva also had one half-brother, William, who died as a child. Alva’s father was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars. Alva was married to Julia Margaret McCormick April 12, 1895, in Dakota County, Nebraska.

Julia Margaret McCormick was born May 23, 1881, in Iowa. She was the daughter of Alonzo Lemuel and Mary Aleda King McCormick. She had four sisters, Harriet, Fanny, Mabel and Bertha, and one brother, William. Her family lived in Jefferson County, Nebraska, prior to moving to Dakota County, Nebraska, in 1891. Julia was only fourteen years old when she married Alva.

Alva and Julia made their home in Dakota County. Alva and Julia’s father farmed together. Alva and Julia were the parents of seven children: William Henry, married Pearl Oviatt, was born November 7, 1898; John Alonzo, married Doris Coonen, was born October 17, 1900; Everetta Madeline (Mrs. Arthur Holbrook, Mrs Frank Jones), was born February 6, 1902; Mabel Leila (Mrs Ferris Jones, Mrs. William Mills, Mrs. Richard Coonen, Mrs. John WIchman) was born April 23, 1904; Ruby Pearl (Mrs. Arthur Nelson) was born September 22, 1907; and two children died in infancy. Prior to 1913, Alva and Julia moved to Sioux City. On January 13, 1913, Alva and Julia were divorced in Sioux City.

Julia continued to make her home in Sioux City with her children. She worked as a janitor in the Metropolitan Block located at Fourth and Jackson Street. She was also employed as a helper at Cudahy Packing Company, as a helper at Armour and Company Packing, as a baker, and as a washer-woman. Julia died December 2, 1921, in Sioux City. She was struck and killed by a passenger train on the North-western railroad tracks near the Thirty-third Street crossing. Julia was buried in the Omaha Valley Cemetery at Homer, Nebraska.

Alva also continued to make his home in Sioux City. He was married to Lura Bell Martin Purdy on July 17, 193, at Dakota County, Nebraska. Lura was the daughter of Bert E and Cynthia J Beaty Martin. Alva and Lura were divorced and she married a Mr. Whitmore. Alva and Lura were remarried January 25, 1916. Lura died November 7, 1916, in Sioux City and was buried in Floyd Cemetery.

On May 26, 1917, Alva married his third wife, Leona. They were divorced October 19, 1922, in Sioux City. Followed his divorce from Leona, Alva moved to Kansas City, Missouri.

Alva was married to Lillie Edmonson Perry, the daughter of Frank and Mary Cooper Edmonson, on July 27, 1925, in Sioux City. Alva and Lillie made their home in Kansas City, Missouri, under 1936 when they moved to Odessa, Missouri. Alva and Lillie were divorced.

Alva married his fifth wife, Pearl Edmonson Cornell, at Odessa. Pearl was Lillie’s sister. Alva and Pearl made their home in Odessa where Alva was employed as a mason and plasterer. Alva passed away October 2, 1966, and Pearl passed away January 4, 1975. They are buried in the Greenton Cemetery, at Odessa, Missouri.