For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 131
OTTIE S. SNYDER. Ottie S. Snyder, is one of the successful business men of Muscatine, conducting a livery stable and carriage repository at Nos. 213 and 215 West Front street. He is native of this city, his birth having here occurred on the 3d of February, 1867, the only child of William H. and Rebecca ( Bitzer ) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The family comes of German ancestry, although the first representatives of the name in America settled here at an early period in the colonization of the new world. It is definitely known that his great grandparents were residents of Pennsylvania, for in that state his grandfather Samuel Snyder, was born. By his first marriage he had but one child, William H. Following the death of his first wife Samuel Snyder married again and by that union had a daughter, who became the wife of a Mr. Metcalf and died in Colorado. At the time of the war in 1812 Samuel Snyder espoused the cause of his country and did active dute at the front. He was a minister of the United Brethren church and labored in various communities to spread the truth of the gospel. He lost his life at Lawrence, Kansas, as a result of a barbarous attack by bushwhackers.William H. Snyder, father of O. S. Snyder, was reared to manhood in the Keystone state and on removing westward became one of the early settlers of Muscatine. Here he engaged in driving a team for the Musser Lumber Company and his early work foreshadowed his business interests in later life. Subsequently he established a transfer line and also carried the mail for more than twenty years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the livery business, which he followed until his death. He built a large barn and had an extensive patronage, for he was always straightforward in his dealings and put forth earnest efforts to please his patrons. He died October 1, 1898, and his wife passed away December 6, 1897. Both were members of the United Brethren church.
Ottie S. Snyder was reared in Muscatine and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the public schools. After putting aside his text-books he worked with his father and upon the latter's death became his successor as owner of the livery business. He conducts a very extensive livery barn, unsurpassed in the state of Iowa, and in addition has a carriage repository for carriages, buggies, wagons and harness. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor and his record is an example of what determination can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character.
In 1898 Mr, Snyder was married to Miss Rosa Hinkhouse, a native of Cedar county, Iowa and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hinkhouse, who were natives of Germany. Coming to America, they settled in Cedar county, Iowa, and many years ago became residents of Muscatine. The father was at one time proprietor of a lime kiln and hauled lime from Cedar county to Muscatine in an early day. Both he and his wife died in this city, where they had long made their home and where they were accorded the friendship and high regard of many who knew them. They had three children : Minnie, Rosa, and a son, but Mrs. Snyder is the only one living now. She is a member of the Luthren church and has a wide acquaintance in the city in which almost her entire life has passed.
Mr. Snyder votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Mechanics Aid Society and to the Muscatine fire department and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city. Any movement tending to benefit Muscatine can count on his hearty cooperation and aid. He is a man of strong force of character, determined purpose and sound judgment and through all the long years of his residence in Muscatine he has maintained a reputation for honesty in business affairs that is above question.
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