Minerd.com Biography of William and Regina (Worman) Snyder of Bloomsburg, PA

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Regina (Worman) Snyder
(1820-1848)

Regina (Worman) Snyder was born in Nov. 1820, the daughter of Samuel and Regina (Kreider) Worman.

She married William Snyder (March 12, 1813- ? ) of Bloomsburg, PA, the son of Daniel and Mary Magdalene (Mickley) Snyder.

The groom's father was a tanner and farmer who had once resided in a small log house at the corner of Second and East Streets in Bloomsburg. Later, he constructed a two-story brick house and converted it into the Forks Hotel. That hotel in time was razed to create space for the normal school on East Second Street. The father also served several terms in the state legislature and, said the Bloomsburg Morning Press, "worked with all the energies in his power to secure the county seat at Bloomsburg."

The couple produced a trio of children -- Charles Snyder, Emma H. Neal and an unnamed infant daughter.

Tragedy shook the family when, just three weeks after delivering their fourth child, Regina died on Aug. 10, 1848, at the age of 27 years and nine months of age. The baby daughter passed away at about the same time. Their remains were laid to rest in the old Lutheran and Reformed Church burying ground at the southeast corner of First and Centre Streets in Bloomsburg.

By 1850, at the age of 36, William worked as a tanner in Bloom Township, shared a residence with 33-year-old Sarah Petriken and his two Snyder children, Charles (age 8) and Emma (age 5).

Old waterworks in Bloomsburg, PA
Photo by J.E. Roys - courtesy Library of Congress

William later tied the knot with Mary Funk ( ? - ? ). They may have been the parents of Mrs. F.P. Billmeyer.

He was deceased by 1889.

Regina's marriage to William is cited in two articles about the family in the Morning Press (Jan. 21, 1939 and July 21, 1941).

In March 1925, at the petition of the trustees of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and the Reformed Church, more than 260 graves at the Lutheran and Reformed cemetery were moved to the New Rosemont Cemetery in Espy, Columbia County. Any living relatives and friends of the dead were given the right to remove the remains and re-inter them elsewhere at their own expense. It does not appear that any of the Snyders took that opportunity to reclaim remains of Regina and the baby girl, and a stone today is in New Rosemont. The story was covered in the Bloomsburg Morning Press.

~ Son Charles W. Snyder ~

Son Charles W. Snyder (1843-1880) was born in 1843 and grew up in Bloomsburg.

On Dec. 2, 1868, he entered into marriage with New Jersey native Emma Hunter (May 12, 1844-1909), residing at the time in Northumberland County. Her parents were Robert and (?) (Mellick) Hunter. The wedding was performed by a clergyman with the Methodist Church of Northumberland.

One known son of the pair was Willie Snyder.

When the federal census was made in 1870, the family were farmers in the east ward of Bloomsburg. Also in their household in 1870 were Charles' sister Emma and half-sister Dora S. Hughes.

Main Street in old Bloomsburg, PA
Photo by Rotograph Company - courtesy Library of Congress

Sadly, Charles developed a deadly illness which extended over a protracted time. At the age of 36, he died in his married sister Emma's residence on March 1, 1880. An obituary in The Columbian said that the "funeral took place on Wednesday morning at ten o'clock and the remains were deposited in the family vault."

The widowed Emma remained in Bloomsburg and supported herself as a dressmaker.

On Nov. 5, 1885, she wed widowed merchant Evan Drum Hughes (May 1837-1906). Rev. S.R. Bridenbaugh officiated. They bore a son of their own, Carl Hughes.

Evan was an old soldier of the Civil War, having served as a sergeant with Company A of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. They lived in Scranton, Lackawanna County at the address of 1746 Sanderson Street.

Sadly, in late May 1909, she fell and fractured the head of her femur. She suffered for 25 days and, after meningitis set in, she passed away at the age of 65 on June 18, 1909. She sleeps in eternal repose in the Hughes family plot at Forest Hill Cemetery in Dunmore, Lackawanna County. An obituary in the Danville (PA) News said she "was a sister of Mrs. Erwin Hunter, of this city." Charles' name is inscribed on a large family marker at Old Rosemont Cemetery.

Son Willie Snyder (1871- ? ) was born in 1871. His life story is hidden behind the shroud of history for now.

~ Daughter Emma H. (Snyder) Neal ~

Daughter Emma H. Snyder (1845-1887) was born on Nov. 8, 1845. She was approaching her third birthday when her mother died.

In 1870, Emma wed Clinton W. Neal (Nov. 9, 1839-1914), son of William Neal of Bloomsburg.

Four children born in this family were William S. Neal, Grace Hutton, Harriett E. Neal and Mabel Regina Carey. They grieved at the death of daughter Harriett in infancy in 1878.

Clinton had up in Bloomsburg, attended the West Chester Military Academy and was an 1861 graduate of Lafayette College. His first job was as a clerk in Bloomsburg.

He joined the U.S. Army during the Civil War, on Aug. 6, 1862, and was placed within the 132nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company E. Within a week of enlistment, he was named corporal of the regiment and then on Aug. 22, 1862 was promoted to quartermaster. The 132nd regiment distinguished itself in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. With his term of service complete, Clinton was honorably discharged on May 24, 1863.

In 1867, he opened a wholesale and retail coal business, which became the firm of C.W. Neal & Bro. in 1870 in partnership with his brother Robert. The Neal firm in 1872 advertised in the Bloomsburg Columbian that it was offering red and white ash coal and that orders could be received at the office and yards of McKelvy & Neal's Furnace. Clinton and his brother bought out one-half of their father's interest in the Bloom Furnace, a producer of pig iron which the father had co-founded in 1853 and the sons were operating. The plant was next to the North Branch Canal and in close proximity to the father's residence on Market Street and Clinton and Emma's homeplace at the corner of Fifth and Iron Streets.

Clinton and partners N.W. Sample and L.J. Taylor circa 1869 owned Columbia Iron Works in Bloomsburg, located at the corner of Main Street and the L&B Railroad. He also was a board director of Espy Lime & Cement Company (1887) and a court-appointed school director in Bloomsburg (1887).

With much forethought, he and other local business leaders in 1889 created the Bloomsburg Electric Light and Power Company, chartered by the Governor of Pennsylvania, erecting a power plant at the northeast corner of Eighth and Catherine Streets. Circa 1891, he helped organize the Industrial Building and Loan Association, which over the years helped some 2,500 local citizens obtain loans for homes. His partners in that venture were C.C. Peacock, Samuel Wigfall and A.N. Yost.

Said an obituary, Emma "was a woman of many admirable qualities, and was beloved by all who knew her. Domestic in habit, her life was devoted to her husband, her children, and her home. She was a devout Christian and an earnest member of the Reformed Church."

Sadly, at the age of 41, on the day after Christmas 1886, said a newspaper, "while preparing to go to church, she was suddenly seized with a severe pain in the head and neck. She had long been subject to neuralgic headaches, but this attack she pronounced different from anything she had suffered previously. She continued to grow worse, an eminent physician from Philadelphia was summoned, and he, in consultation with local physicians pronounced the disease spinal cerebro meningitis and gave no hopes for her recovery. After much suffering, she passed away" on Jan. 8, 1887. Interment of the remains was in Old Rosemont Cemetery.

An obituary in The Columbian said that "Her death is a terrible affliction to those whom she was so near and dear, and a pall of gloom spread over the entire community when it was known that she had breathed her last. The funeral took place at the house on Tuesday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Mr. Bridenbaugh and the high estimation in which she was held was exhibited by the very large attendance of relatives and friends. She will long be remembered as a model wife and mother, a true Christian, and devoted friend. Peace to her ashes."

Clinton retired from the family manufacturing businesses in 1892. In 1899, he applied for and was awarded a Civil War soldier's pension [Invalid App. No. 1.217.674 - Cert. No. 988.297].

He and his daughter Grace clashed in 1903 of the terms of his wife's last will of many years earlier. At her death, Emma had left behind a large estate. It was bequeathed to her husband "For his sole and separate use at his discretion, for the support and education of my children." Clinton served as trustee of the estate, using some of the funds for himself as well as the offspring, until resigning in 1901, with Grace assuming the role. By 1903, the corpus of the holdings was worth about $35,000. His daughter took a hard line and no longer allowed any of the proceeds to be used by her father, but rather by herself and her siblings. Clinton sued in the Orphans Court of Columbia County, and in August 1903 the Bloomsburg Morning Press reported, "A decision of the question thus raised requires a construction of the Neal will and will determine whether the father or the children are entitled to the exclusive income and control of this large estate." Judge Robert R. Little handed down an opinion in December 1903 that the trust had been intended to benefit her young children and not her widower.

Clinton's last employment was as a revenue collector for the U.S. Department of Revenue. He often traveled to Masontown, Fayette County on this work, and returned there again in August 1913, staying at the LeRoy Hotel.

Burdened with heart disease and senility, he suffered a stroke of paralysis in the early months of 1913. He survived and appears to have returned home. But he came back to Masontown to continue his work. On New Year's Eve 1913, he suffered a relapse while in the LeRoy's lobby and never recovered. Death spirited him away at the age of 74 on Jan. 5, 1914.

Word of his demise was telegraphed to his married daughter Grace back home, and an account of his passing was published in the Uniontown Morning Herald. His remains were transported to Bloomsburg for interment. A large monument topped by a statue stands at the gravesite today. The family is profiled in the 1887 book History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, published by A. Warner & Company.

Son William S. Neal (1871-1944) was born on Aug. 15, 1871 in Bloomsburg. He never married and spent his entire life in his hometown. For the last 25 years of his life, he shared a dwelling-place with Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Rupert in Bloomsburg along River Road. He was a regular member of the Reformed Church and attended its Men's Bible Class. William was afflicted with prostate cancer which spread, and at the end was burdened by pneumonia and emaciation. Death enveloped him in Geisinger Hospital on March 1, 1944. An obituary in the Berwick Enterprise said that he was "a descendant of Daniel Snyder and William Neal, two of the early residents of Bloomsburg." Burial was in Old Rosemont Cemetery.

Daughter Grace Neal (1874-1928) was born in 1874. She was an 1892 graduate of the Bloomsburg State Normal School and went on to study at the Packer Institute of Brooklyn, NY. On Jun 23, 1897, she wed William Hutton (1874-1932), originally from Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, PA. Their nuptials were led by Rev. C.H. Brandt of the Reformed Church. The couple went on to bear these children, Ruth Lapet Ancker, William Neal Hutton, Emily Regina Hutton, Helen Elizabeth Morris, Robert Morris Hutton, Terry George Hutton, Zebulon Stevens Hutton and Mrs. William W. Mason. William was a house builder. Circa 1901, in her name, they acquired several lots on Seventh Street from the Bloomsburg Land Improvement Company and began constructing several houses thereon. Continuing to expand her real estate assets, she began building two large double houses on North Street in late 1905, said the Bloomsburg Morning Press, to be "built of concrete blocks and will have all modern improvements." When the town of Bloomsburg opened Ridge Alley on her property, causing her financial damage, she sued and in late 1906 was awarded more than $460 in damages. Then in February 1908, when the town council refused to issue her a building permit, she sued for $1,000. The Huttons continued to develop property in town over the years. Their longtime place of residence was on Iron Street. They were plunged into mourning at the drowning death of 21-year-old son William in 1925. Sadly, Grace died at home on March 26, 1928. Dr. D.J. Waller Jr. officiated the funeral rites, with burial in New Rosemont Cemetery. In an obituary, the Morning Press said that "Mrs. Hutton had been ill for the past few years, but her condition had been critical for only a few weeks... [T]here passed away a member of one of Bloomsburg's pioneer families -- a family that for years played a leading part in the development of Bloomsburg." The widowed William moved to Lime Ridge, PA, married again to Dorothy ( ? - ? ) and bore two more sons, William Hutton and Zebulon Stevens Hutton. After undergoing major surgery at Memorial Hospital in New York City, he succumbed to the spectre of death on Oct. 4, 1932. His obituary appeared in the Shamokin (PA) News-Dispatch, which called him "a former well known Bloomsburg business man." The body was returned to Bloomsburg for services and burial, with Rev. J.C. Brumbach presiding. Pallbearers included Francis Drake, William Geisinger, E.M. Holmes, Joseph Creasy, C.R. Stecker and Hurley Miller. His death left his widow with two sons under the age of 2.

Granddaughter Ruth Lapet Hutton (1901-1979) was born on May 13, 1901. Circa 1925-1932, she dwelled in New York City, where she was an artist on the staff of the Wanamaker Stores. She exchanged marital vows with William Mason Ancker (1901-1981). Ruth also was a sculptural artist. Their final home together was at 2501 Parker Lane, Alexandria, VA. With her health in decline, she was admitted to the local Mount Vernon Hospital. She died there at the age of 78 on Aug. 16, 1979.

Grandson William Neal Hutton (1904-1925) was born on April 26, 1904 in Bloomsburg. He was an alumnus of the Bloomsburg State Normal School where he played basketball, including a year as captain, and was "considered one of the best players the institution every turned out," said a newspaper. He never married. In the winter of 1925, he worked for Chase National Bank in New York City but decided his prospects were better if he came back home to work for his father's home-building business. William is known to have been a member of the local Presbyterian church and enjoyed camping each summer at Lake Mokoma, Sullivan County. On the fateful day of Aug. 20, 1925, while canoeing with his friend Raymond George in Lake Mokoma at Laporte, Sullivan County, PA, he drowned when their canoe capsized. Said local newspapers, William "sank immediately" while the companion "was saved by a woman who went to his rescue promptly, but who was unable to save the other [man]. The body was taken from the water with a grappling net after a five hours' search." The Bloomsburg Morning Press said that William was seated at the front of the canoe and George in back, with both paddling. "About 100 feet from shore where the water is 20 feet deep Hutton made a hard stroke with his paddle. It is thought the oar slipped as he was making the stroke and he fell overboard. As he fell overboard he upset the canoe and George followed him into the water." George reached out his hand to the struggling friend, and wrapped his arms around him, but William continued to thrash, and both men sank to the bottom of the lake. It was only when George broke his friend's hold that he was able to return to the surface. The Morning Press eulogized that William "was one of the best known and most popular boys in Bloomsburg. From the time the news of the accident reached Bloomsburg until late in the night there were inquiries at The Morning Press as to the truth of the report. His death came as a profound shock to the entire community."

Granddaughter Emily Regina Hutton (1906-1982) was born on Dec. 20, 1906 in Bloomsburg. She never married. Emily attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College and then went on to a career as a social worker in New York City. She resided in Huntington, Long Island along Wood Hollow Lane. She passed away at the age of 75 on May 15, 1982. An obituary ran in the Bloomsburg Morning Press. Her body was shipped to Espy for funeral rites and burial at New Rosemont Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Richard Patmore of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church.

Granddaughter Helen Elizabeth Hutton (1909-1990) was born on May 10, 1909 in Bloomsburg. Dr. J.E. Shurman assisted in the delivery. Helen resided in Westfield, CT in 1932. She married Philip W. Morris ( ? - ? ). Her homeplace in the early 1980s was in Huntington, Long Island, NY.

Grandson Robert Morris Hutton (1912-1967) was an alumnus of Bloomsburg High School and earned his bachelor's degree from Bloomsburg State Teachers College. He went on to receive his master's degree from New York University. He married Mary Helen Coda ( ? - ? ), daughter of Rosella Coda of Mayfield, PA. The pair did not reproduce. They lived at 158 East Ridge Avenue, Bloomsburg. Robert taught at Bloomsburg Junior High School. He held memberships in the Bloomsburg Elks Club, National Education Association, Council for Geography and Education, Pennsylvania State Education Association and Columbia County Teachers Association. Sadness blanketed the family at Robert's death on Jan. 10, 1967. The Scranton Tribune printed an obituary.

Grandson Terry George Hutton (1914-1981) relocated by 1932 to Rapid City, SD. He was a pilot with Pan-American Airways in 1967, based in Germany.

Daughter Mabel Regina Neal (1884-1929) was born on Feb. 13, 1884 in Bloomsburg. On April 22, 1908, Mabel married Wright Downes "W.D." Carey (1882-1942), son of J.P Carey of Upland, PA. Rev. Dr. J.D. Thomas officiated in the ceremony held at the Reformed Church of Bloomsburg. The Bloomsburg Morning Press announced the happy event, saying it was "a beautiful church wedding... The bride was gowned in figured silk and wore a bridal veil. She carried sweet peas." At the time of marriage, the groom was employed by the Wilkes-Barre Gas Company. One known son of the couple was Donald Neal Carey. They lived in Maryland in 1912 followed by a move to Harrisburg by 1914 with their home in a dwelling on 17th Street. At the death of Mabel's father in 1914 in Masontown, Fayette County, W.D. traveled there to accompany the body back to Bloomsburg for burial. They belonged to the Salem Reformed Church. Sadly, Mabel at the age of 45 was diagnosed with fibroid tumors of her uterus. She underwent surgery in Harrisburg Hospital, but afterward threw a blood clot and died on Oct. 6, 1929. Her remains were transported to Bloomsburg for the funeral and burial at Old Rosemont. Rev. J.C. Brumbach, of the Reformed Church, officiated the obsequies. The Bloomsburg Morning Press stated that she "was a member of one of Bloomsburg's oldest families, and had resided in Harrisburg during her married life." Rev. John L. LeVan conducted the rites. Wright survived her by a baker's dozen years and in mid-1941 relocated to New Haven, CT. He passed away there six months later on Jan. 12, 1942. An obituary in the Harrisburg Patriot-News said he had been "a resident of this city for thirty years." In June 1942, a sale of his antiques collection was held. The items included modern furniture and house furnishings, machinist and carpentry tools, early blown and press glass, china, silverware, jewelry, cabinetmaker's supplies, antique lumber (mahogany, walnut and cherry), 500 books, buttons, Indian arrowheads, stamps and covers and more."

Grandson Donald Neal Carey (1911-1996) was born on Dec. 10, 1911 in Upland, PA. At the age of 11 months, he was baptized in the Trinity Reformed Church of Bloomsburg. He was 18 years of age at his mother's death and a 1932 graduate of John Harris High School in Harrisburg. Donald entered into marriage with Kathryn Elizabeth "Betty" Bowers (1927-1986). He is known to have served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1950, they made a home in Martinsburg, Berkeley County, WV. Sadly, Betty died on June 21, 1986. Donald's residence in the mid-1990s was in Gerrardstown, WV. Sadly, at the age of 84, he passed away at home on Jan. 9, 1996. The Hagerstown (MD) Daily Mail produced an obituary. Burial was in Martinsburg's Rosedale Cemetery following services jointly conducted by the Rev. Brian Shoda and Rev. Paul Hudock.

Preliminary research for this page conducted by Della Shafer.