Donald O. Snyder

Donald O. Snyder, a life-long resident of Holgate, traces his ancestry to Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany, the home of his paternal great-grandfather, George Schneider. The family immigrated to the United States. Upon arriving in America, they settled first in Columbiana County, Ohio, moving on to Henry County about 1844. There a tract of wild land in Flatrock Township was developed into the family farm.

Grandfather Jacob Schneider was also a Henry County farmer and was well known as a dealer and shipper of livestock. In addition, he had a lumber mill and was a stave inspector. Jacob also possessed good mechanical ability. He was an active Democrat, but he never sought public office. Jacob and his wife Elizabeth (Leifer) had nine children: Mary, the wife of Fred Franz; John, who eventually moved his family to Arkansas; Catherine, who married G. A. Farrison; Samuel Lewis; Julius Conrad; William; Daniel; Callie, who married William Rettig; and Elbert. Elbert married Estella Rodey, who is the only survivor of this generation and currently resides in Fostoria, Ohio. The Schneider and Leifer families were all members of the Lutheran church.

In March, 1894, Samuel, Julius, and John bought the Holgate flour mills from Jacob Reiser. The mills manufactured fine grade flour and meal with the best known product being the Silver Star brand of flour used by many families in northwestern Ohio. The mill had a capacity of 75 barrels per day, considered to be very good for that time. Mr. J. Jacklin was the miller. Brothers Samuel and Elbert were also associated in the ownership and management of the mills.

Donald's mother was the former Catherine Matilda Rettig. The Rettig side of the family also traces its ancestry to Hesse, Germany, where maternal grandfather George A. Rettig was born in 1839, the son of Adam and Mariah (Breight) Rettig. In 1846, Adam brought his family to the United States. The Rettigs sailed from Bremen. During the ocean voyage, some members of the family became quite ill. A grandmother and sister died and were buried at sea. Upon arriving in America, the family settled first in Crawford County, Ohio, then moved on to Flatrock Township in Henry County.

In Henry County, Adam obtained forty acres of government land, which he cleared and developed. He purchased additional land and owned 200 acres at the time of his death. Adam and Mariah had ten children: Catherine, Eva, Adam B., George A., Michael, Gertrude, Peter, Nicholas, John, and Lizzie.

George A. Rettig worked at home with his parents until the War Between the States. In 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-eighth Ohio Regiment, and took an active part in all the engagements in which the regiment participated. He received his discharge on July 10, 1865.

George, like his father, became a successful farmer. In 1866, he married Eva Rosanna Klink, who was a daughter of George and Catherine Freede, both natives of Germany. At the time of his marriage, George bought 80 acres of wooded, swampy land and converted them into a valuable farm. He acquired additional land and was one of the county's successful and practical farmers. He, too, was a Democrat and served as supervisor and school director. The Rettigs were members of the German Reformed Church. Seven children were born to the couple: John William; Samuel H.; Charles; Catherine Matilda, who married Julius C. Schneider; Emma, the wife of William Schneider; Ida, who married Daniel Schneider; and Oliver. It is interesting to note that the three Rettig sisters married three Schneider brothers.

The marriage of Julius C. Schneider to Catherine Matilda Rettig united these two well known area families. As noted previously, Julius was associated with his brothers in the milling business and was also involved in farming. At some point during this time, the brothers Anglicized the family name by changing it to "Snyder." After Julius' death in 1904, his widow continued to be associated in the family business. Five children were born of this union: Mabel, Clarence, Clyde, Ralph, and Donald.

Mabel became the wife of Carl Rettig. Both are now deceased. They resided on a farm outside of Holgate and raised two children. Glen, an ordained minister, is married and has a family. Arlene is the wife of Robert Willford and lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with her family.

Clarence married Elsie Shiarla. They, too, are deceased. Their family included Clarence, Jr., who served as a career officer in the United States Army and is deceased; Katherine, who is married to John Tracy, a lawyer, and lives with her family in Spokane, Washington; and Mary Ellen, the wife of Richard Reed, who lives with her family in Columbus, Ohio.

Clyde married Leona Rettig. At the time of his death they lived on a farm near Florida, Ohio. Leona still lives there. Their son Robert, his wife Mary (Klear), and their children live near New Bavaria. William, the second son, his wife Florence (Smith), and their children live near Florida, Ohio.

The two youngest children of Julius and Tillie Snyder survive and live in Holgate. Ralph, who is retired, was a highly skilled builder and cabinet maker. He married Ida Fruth. Their daughter Jeanette is a registered nurse and is married to Lee Hornung. Jean and Lee have two daughters, Debra and Mary, and live just outside of Holgate. Ralph and Ida's youngest daughter Judith is married to William Sonnenberg. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in elementary education. Judy, Bill, and their daughter Michelle are currently living in Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

Donald, who was born on September 5, 1902, attended Holgate High School and then was engaged in farming. On September 25, 1926, he married Mildred C. Eis. (She was born on July 12, 1910.) The young couple established their home on a farm owned by her father, Calvin A. Eis. Donald continued to farm and also ran a threshing machine for other farmers during the harvest season. On August 4, 1927, he was operating the boiler on a threshing machine being used on the Dr. Cole farm. The boiler exploded as Donald was getting off; he was seriously injured. Both legs were crushed below the knee. His career as a farmer was ended. After a very lengthy recuperation that saw him progress from a wheelchair to crutches and canes, Donald was finally able to walk on his own.

A capable mechanic, he entered a new occupation and owned and operated the Cities Service Garage in Holgate from July, 1931, until the spring of 1941. During this time, the young couple became parents of three children. Joyce Ann was born on October 24, 1930; Kay Frances, on June 13, 1934; and Gene Calvin, on April 6, 1937.

After selling the gas station, Donald became a journeyman electrician. He followed that occupation until his retirement in 1971. Donald was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 8 and held various elected positions in the Defiance area sub-local. A Democrat, Donald served on the Holgate City Council, and he is an elder in St. John's United Church of Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder live at 216 North Squire Street in Holgate, which has been their home since 1946.

All three of the Snyder children are graduates of Holgate High School. After graduation in 1948, Joyce entered Riverside Hospital School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio, and is a registered nurse. With her husband, Richard E. Colwell, an electronics engineer, she lives in Deshler. They have two children, Richard Durwood and Christy Cae. Both are married. Christy is now Mrs. Dennis D. Myers. They have one son, Damian, born April 4, 1975. Young Damian is the fifth living generation on his maternal grandmother's side. His great-great-grandmother, Mrs. Freda Eis, survives and lives in her home at 218 South Wilhelm Street in Holgate.

Kay holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from Bowling Green State University where she majored in business education. She was the top graduate in the Business Education Department when she received her B.S. degree in 1956 and is a member of various education and business undergraduate and graduate honorary societies for scholarship and leadership activities. After graduation from Bowling Green, Kay taught for seven years at Lake High School near Walbridge, Ohio, where she and her students were active in local, state, and national FBLA activities (Future Business Leaders of America).

In 1963, Kay accepted an appointment by the United States Department of Defense to teach at the American High School in Goose Bay, Labrador. For her efforts there, she received a Superior Performance Award. Kay spent one year in Labrador, transferred to Lajes Field in the Azores the following year, then spent the next two years in Wurzburg, Germany. She was able to travel throughout most of Europe, including Russia and other Iron Curtain countries, as well as through Egypt and the Middle East.

Returning to the United States, Kay taught for one year at Clyde High School, Clyde, Ohio, while completing work on her Master's degree. She then moved to La Mesa, California, and taught at Lincoln High School in San Diego for two years before moving to Helix High School in La Mesa, where she has taught for the last five years. She has been chairman of the Business Education Department at Helix for the past four years.

Kay is married to Clifford T. Raines, who is a native of Brooklyn, New York. Clifford is a computer expert for NCR Corporation's Data Processing Division in Rancho Bernardo, California. Clifford has three children from a previous marriage: Clifford, Jr., Colleen, and Sharon. The two girls now make their home with Kay and Cliff.

Gene is also a graduate of Bowling Green State University. His college work was interrupted by a tour of duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, and he received his B.S. degree in mathematics and science in 1963. The same year he married Sharon Anne Williams of Marion, Ohio, who also holds a B.S. degree in mathematics from Bowling Green.

Gene worked first as a computer programmer for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, before accepting a similar position with Whirlpool Corporation in St. Joseph, Michigan. Gene and Sharon have six children: Gene, Jr., Jeffrey Allen, Katrina F., Lance Eric, Melissa Jayne, and Derick Owen. The family now resides in Covert, Michigan.

Submitted by Donald Snyder