John & Doris Coonen Snyder

SNYDER COONEN MCCORMICK TALLADA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 19:22:30

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

John and Doris (Coonen) Snyder
By Michael A Snyder

John Alonzo Snyder was born October 17, 1900, at Homer, Nebraska. He was one of seven children born to Alva S C and Julia Margaret McCormick Snyder, the others being William H, Everetta Madeline, Mabel Leila, Ruby Pearl, and two children who died in infancy. John was named after his grandfathers, John C Snyder and Alonzo L McCormick.

John was raised in the home of his uncle and aunt, Wesley M and Bertha L McCormick Sharp. After Wesley and Bertha’s marriage in 1907, John made his home with them, returning to his parents’ home for occasional brief visits. Following the divorce of his parents in 1913, John ran away with his friend, Ralph Jones. They traveled around the country taking odd jobs. At one time, they traveled with a carnival and John also worked as a horse jockey.

By 1916, John had returned home and was living in Sioux City with his mother, brother and sisters. John’s mother was working as a washerwoman and John began selling newspapers to help with the family finances. John lived with his family until his mother’s tragic death. Julia Snyder was struck and killed by a passenger train on December 2, 1921.

John was living in Sioux City and working for Stumprud Produce when he met his future wife, Doris Bessie Coonen. Doris was born January 7, 1908, at Linton, North Dakota. She was the eldest child of five born to Raymond Howard and Bessie Ann Tallada Coonen, the others being Winifred Lucille, Richard Danial, Raymond John ‘Babe’, and Willard James. The Coonen family moved from Linton to Sioux City in 1927.

John and Doris were married February 18, 1929, While on their lunch hours, they were met at the Woodbury County Courthouse by Doris’ mother. Chas P Locke, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony and also acted as a witness along with Mrs. Coonen. Following the ceremony, John and Doris returned to their separate jobs.

John and Doris made their home in South Sioux City, Nebraska, and began their family there. Delores Ann (Mrs. John McCord, Mrs. Carl Eveland, Mrs Loris Gallup) was born March 7, 1930; and Raymond John, married Marcella Griffin, was born October 1, 1931.

John and Doris moved to Sioux City in 1932. Their last five children were born in Sioux City. Margaret Julia was born January 31, 1933, and died the same day. She is buried in Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City. Richard William, married Mary M Ritcher, was born February 9, 1934. He was killed in an auto accident on November 23, 1957, at Eatonville, Washington, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City. Willard Arthur, married Shirley M Anderson, was born March 20, 1936. Patricia Lee ‘Mrs. Richard Thompson’ was born July 1, 1940: and Rodney Gene, married Charlyne L Pojar, was born December 13, 1943.

Besides working for Stumprud Produce, John was also employed by Galinsky Produce and Rosenthal Produce. He later worked for Jensen and Craig Construction Company during the summer months and Edward and Browne Coal Company during the winter months. John retired in 1966. After his retirement, John spent much of his time at his hobby, fishing.

Doris worked as a telephone operator and a bookkeeper. After her marriage, she devoted her time to her family. Her hobbies include reading and caring for her plants and flowers.

John passed away at his residence on December 28, 1982. He is buried in the Omaha Valley Cemetery at Homer, Nebraska. Doris continues to make her home in Sioux City.