Bio: Snyder, Eli L. (History - 1861)

Contact: Janet Schwarze 

Surnames: SNYDER HOWARD NESBIT BURKE WILLIAM

----Source: Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891 pages 199 - 200.

Eli L. Snyder, proprietor of a variety store in Thorp, was born in Michigan, December 2, 1861, the son of Levi and Anna (Valden) Snyder, the former a native of Jefferson County, New York, who removed to Michigan when young the mother was born near Attica, New York. The parents had eight children, four of whom are not living: Lovina, now Mrs. George C. Howard, of Thorp Warren, of Onalaska, LaCrosse County, Wisconsin Sarah, the wife of Lewis Barnes, also of Onalaska, and Eli L., the subject of this sketch. The father brought his family to Tomah, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1865, and died in Adrian, in 1872 the mother now lives in Onalaska.

Eli L., our subject, remained on a farm until eleven years of age, when his father died, and he was then thrown upon his own resources. He first worked a few months for his board in Cole's Valley next for Mr. Howard six months then for Wallace Jackson, of Jacksonville, Wisconsin, nearly two years in 1875 went to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for Merritt Tripp seven months then returned to Adrian and attended school that winter the next summer worked in the saw-mills of Warren Co. in 1876 went to St. Paul, where he worked for four months in a jewelry store then as waiter in the Merchant's Hotel there until the fall of 1877. He then came to Onalaska, Wisconsin, and that winter worked in the pineries in Monroe County, for Warren Co., and in the spring of 1878 went to St. Paul, remained four months, and then returned to Onalaska, where he worked in a jewelry store a short time. Next he went to the vicinity of Stevens Point, where he worked in the pineries one winter for Brooks Barrs in the spring of 1879 he went to Appleton, Wisconsin where he established a shooting gallery and confectionery stand, which he conducted six months, and then returned to Stevens Point. There Mr. Snyder entered the employ of the Inter-Ocean Circus, and traveled with that company through Southern Wisconsin, leaving them at Racine. Late in the fall of the same year he went to Adrian, where he attended school, and in the spring of 1880 went to Onalaska, and was engaged in sorting logs on Black River several months, after which he again attended school. Mr. Snyder worked in the pineries that winter on Yellow River for Joe Nesbit, and in the spring of 1881 went to St. Paul, where he worked in a jewelry store four months next he returned to Onalaska and worked in a saw-mill thence to Tunnel City, where he clerked in the store of George Howard in 1882 he entered into partnership with Mr. Howard, after which they came to Thorp and build a store near the depot and engaged in general merchandising. This was in October, 1882. In 1883 Mr. Snyder dissolved partnership, and soon afterward engaged in his present business, keeping a general variety of goods. He has a capital stock of $700, his annual sales amounting to about $2,500.

He was married June 20, 1883, to Louisa Burke, who was born in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, December 15, 1863, the daughter of John Burke, of this city. They have three children George L., William (deceased) and Levi J. Mrs. Snyder is a member of the Catholic Church, and politically Mr. Snyder is a Republican.

SNYDER HOWARD NESBIT BURKE WILLIAM