Josiah Snyder

Taken from Washington Post & News, Washington, IL, Thursday, March 6, 1913.
(edited for clarity)

AN OLD SETTLER GONE AT AGE OF 86

Josiah Snyder, probably Washington’s oldest and one of her most prominent citizens, passed to his final reward on Wednesday, March 5, at 1 p.m.  Squire Snyder suffered a stroke of paralysis about two years ago.  He recovered sufficiently to be around, but was never in robust health again.  Last Thursday at noon, he was stricken with another stroke, and he gradually grew worse until the final summons came.  Up until he suffered his first stroke, he was without doubt the best preserved man for his age of anyone in this community.

Josiah Snyder was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on February 20, 1827.  March 30, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Lawson, a sister of Mrs. Henry Denhart.  In 1863, they came to Illinois and settled in Washington.  Mr. Snyder was one of quite a colony of Somerset people who came to Washington in an early day.

Mr. Snyder early assumed an active role in advancing and upbuilding Washington.  He was especially active in religious affairs and was probably the father of Lutheranism in this city.  He helped to organize the first German Lutheran church and was really the head of the movement in organizing the English St. Mark’s Lutheran church.  It was one of the greatest pleasures of his whole life to see the magnificent new $100,000 St. Mark’s church built and dedicated.  During its year and more of building, he was constantly on hand to watch its progress.  He held many positions of trust and responsibility in the church.

In business life, Mr. Snyder pursued various endeavors during his long residence among us.  He was in the mercantile business for a good many years.  He held many positions of trust and responsibility.  He was a member of the board of supervisors, a Washington school board member, and the policy magistrate for many years.

Throughout his long life in this community, he was honored and respected by all.  He was of a most kindly disposition and always had a kind word for young or old.