Grandmas's Photo Album - Page 89 - Snyder Family in Wilkes County, N.C. and McLean Family in Gloucester, Mass.

(Top left)  Bette (living), Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001), Mozelle (living) - photo taken about 1945 in Wilkes County, N.C.

(Bottom left)  The Airstream trailer that Jim and Kay live in while in Gloucester, Mass.  Kay (living) is 2nd from left.  Jim (1922-1993) is at the far right.  I believe the 2 men are named McLean, but I don't recognize the women.

(Bottom center) Bette

(Right) I don't recognize this child.  If anyone has an idea, please let me know!

Grandma's Photo Album Page 86 - Tom Snyder Family in Wilkes County, N.C.

(Top left) Tom and Nora's five children, from youngest to oldest:

• Bette (living)
• Ralph (1932-1996)
• Mozelle (living)
• Carrie (1926-2001)
• Jimmy (1922-1993), served in the Coast Guard from 1939-1946

Photo was taken in the early 1940's on the family farm in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.

(Top right) Horse, name unknown.  Is this the back of Tom and Nora's house?

(Bottom left) Tom and Nora near a front porch.  I don't think it's their house because of all the bushes.  But maybe they cut them down?  This photo must have been taken on a Sunday because they are dressed up.

Tom was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).
Nora was Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).

Grandma's Photo Album Page 84 - Snyders on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Massachusetts in Winter

The Tom and Nora Snyder family and friends drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway about 1950.

(Top left) Betty (living) and Mozelle (living) with one of the Broyhill girls. 

(Bottom left) Left to right:  Mrs. Broyhill holding one of her daughters, Nora Snyder, another Broyhill girl, then Betty and Mozelle. 

(Bottom right) Nora and Tom Snyder.  Nora Bessie McNeil (1900-1992) wears a shawl that I believe her mother knitted.  Clara Eva Hettie Ellen Jarvis McNeil (1873-1959) knit a shawl for each of her six daughters.  The shawls were double-sided, different color on each side.  But Nora still looks cold! 

Tom was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).  It must be a Sunday because he is not wearing denim overalls, he is wearing his Sunday best suit.

(Top right) Tom and Nora's oldest son, Jimmy, by his Airstream Trailer in Gloucester, Mass.  James Neil Snyder (1922-1993) joined the Coast Guard in 1939.  While serving, his ship was in the Gloucester area, and he met his future wife, Kay (living).  Jim and Kay lived near Kay's family. 

Grandma's Photo Album Page 83 - Will Snyder Family in Winston-Salem about 1922

This is the Will Snyder family.  Based on the children's ages, I believe these photos were taken about 1922, probably in a photographer's studio in Winston-Salem, where they lived.

Will was my grandfather's brother.  William Eugene Snyder (1890-1969) married Myrtle Stewart (1897-1972) in Winston-Salem in 1913.  They had three children.  The two oldest are in these pictures.

• The boy is William Eugene Snyder Jr (1917-1991).
• The girl is Ruth Mae Snyder (1920-1995).

Uncle Will was an engineer with R. J. Reynolds' Tobacco Company for 40 years (1919-1969).  He was also a Primitive Baptist preacher.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 82 - Unknown People

These photos are in my grandmother's photo album but I don't know them.  My grandmother was Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992) who lived in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  She also lived in Winston-Salem for a few years in the 1920s.

(Left) These two children look like a sister and brother.  The sister appears to be slightly taller so I guess she's maybe a year or so older.  I searched all the descendants of my great-grandparents but couldn't figure out any two siblings who matched.

(Right)  This lady is quite dressed up but I have no idea who she is.

If anyone has an idea, please comment below!

Grandma's Photo Album Page 81 - McNeil & Vannoy in Wilkes, plus unknown child

(Left) Aunt Ila with her first child, daughter Eula Mae.

Ila was my grandmother's sister.  Her full name was Ila Margaret McNeil Vannoy (1898-1983).  She married Isaac Ransom Vannoy (1894-1979).  They operated a country store in Wilkes County.

Eula Mae became a cosmetologist.  In February 1943, Eula Mae enlisted in the Womens' Army Corps as a private in the inactive reserve.  Later in 1943, she married Atwell Sharpe (1922-1986). Atwell worked at Southern Bell for 41 years.  He also was a veteran of World War II.  They never had children.

(Right) Unknown child.  If you have any ideas about who this is, please let me know!

Grandma's Photo Album Page 80 - Snyders in Camp Jackson and Winston-Salem

(Left) My grandfather training for World War I.  He is in the middle; I have no idea who the other men are.   He was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988), called Tom or W.T.  He was drafted in 1917 and sent to Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) near Columbia, S.C.  I believe this photo was probably taken at Camp Jackson where he was assigned for about 8 months.  He wrote several letters from here to his future wife Nora:

27 Sep 1917 .. I am liking it all right. It is quite a sight to see 10,000 soldiers drilling....I get the blues sometimes and get with some of the boys and get to singing and I am all right...

2 Mar 1918 ...I am having a good time tonight making music. ..I am going to try to get a pass to come home next week... You know it's bad to be away from home especially in the camp in war times. I did want to see old John before he went away but guess he will be gone before I get to come home though... I sent one of my pictures home. They cost $10 a dozen... I am going to have one half dozen more printed and I will send you one.... Mechanic, W. T. Snyder

16 Mar 1918 ..Miss Nora, I am coming up next week and will bring my Kodak box and we will have some pictures made and I can get one of yours that way. Ha! ... Wish you was down here to go to the moving picture shows with me ever week.  And Sat. nights they are good and something new every night...I and my church went to Columbia Park last Sat. Eve. And believe me we sure did have some more fun.  We taken some pictures.  I will send you one when they get back if they are good.  I wish you could see that Park believe me they sure is something in there to see.  Ostrich - about the size of a mule with feathers on them and wings too.  I never saw such things in all day of my life.  Their neck are 'bout long as you are 5' long or 5 1/2'...

7 April 1918 -- I saw John Sunday and was with him nearly all day...John and I are going into town next Saturday if he gets his uniform...

25 April 1918 ... I have got a new house and lot in Winston-Salem, but I had to go off and leave it but if I ever get back in civilian life I am going to get married and live right the rest of my life .. I like Army life very well so far if they wasn't any war...

5 May 1918...I am coming the first of July to stay 15 days. My Father got me a furlow ...We are going to be in Greenville first of June...John says he is going to France real soon. Well I will go in about three months I heard and we may go sooner.  It's hard to tell.  We can't tell from now on where we will stay at for the orders change so fast in the Army...

(Right) The two older children of my grandfather's brother, William Eugene Snyder ((1890-1969).  He moved to Winston-Salem and worked for 40 years (1911-1951) at R.J. Reynolds' Tobacco Company.  He was an Elder in the Reddies River Primitive Baptist Church in Wilkes County.  Uncle Will married Myrtle Stewart (1897-1972) in 1913.  They had 3 children.  This photo is their two older children.  Their third child, Nick, is still living.

The boy is William Eugene Snyder Jr (1917-1991). The girl is Ruth Mae Snyder (1920-1995).  Based on their birth dates, I guess this photo was taken about 1922.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 79 - Vannoy and Snyder? in Wilkes County, N.C.

This page is in the part of the album that my grandmother didn't tell me about.  I should have sat down with her another day to get the rest of the names, but it's too late now!


(Left) This child is possibly my grandmother's niece, Mildred Catherine Vannoy Steelman (1928-2005).  She was called "Cat" and was a biology teacher at R.J. Reynolds' High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., for many years.  In fact, she was my biology teacher one year!  I never mentioned it to my friends, and since her last name was different, who would know?  She was an excellent teacher and very fair (no preferential treatment for me!).  Actually, I had a couple of teachers over the years who were relatives.  My first grade teacher, Mrs. Sloan, was a cousin on my father's side.  I guess that's pretty common really.

Cat's mother was Lacy Florence McNeil (1902-1998), my grandmother's sister.  Cat's dad was William Raynor Vannoy (1898-1947).  Cat was briefly married to a Mr. Steelman.  I never met him or knew anything about him.  She never had any children.

Cat lived with her mother in Winston-Salem.  Cat's mother rented out rooms and also worked as a clerk in various stores, including a dry cleaners.  My mother rented a room there in the early 1950's, and that's how my parents met.  My father was dating Cat, and he met my mother through her.  I don't know how Cat felt about that!  I don't recall seeing Cat while my father was alive, but after he died, I remember Cat coming to our house, we all went out to dinner, etc.  She and my mother kept in touch until my mother's death.

(Right)  Unknown man.  I showed this photo at a family reunion, and several people commented that he looks like a Snyder, but no one knew which one.  So I guess he's somehow a descendant of our oldest known ancestor, Peter Snider (born about 1750 in what's now Germany; died about 1809 in Carter County, Tenn.).  The Snyder features are a long face, high cheekbones, and a tall, thin frame.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 78 - Snyders in Wilkes County, N.C.

(Upper left)  I know 4 of these 5 women.  From left to right: unknown lady; Bette (living); Mozelle (living); Martha (living); Carrie Snyder (1926-2001). 

I recognize the location as my grandparent's house in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, N.C.  I recognize the tree, the porch, the metal porch glider, and the wood building at the back left which was the garage.  I believe this photo was taken about 1952.

(Lower left)  My uncle and his wife.  He was James Neil Snyder (1922-1993), called Jimmy by most people, and Neil by his parents.  His wife Kay is living. 

This photo shows the view from my grandparents' home in Miller's creek.  Jimmy and Kay lived in Massachusetts, so it looks like they drove down for a visit.

(Right)  My grandfather as a teenager.  Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988) was born and lived in Wilkes County until about 1911 when he moved to the big city to make his fortune.

In the 1910 census, he was an 18-year-old living with his parents and some siblings.  I have a 1912 pay stub showing he was working in Winston-Salem.  He had 2 jobs.  Weekdays he worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.  Saturdays he worked a a collector for a furniture store.  People bought furniture on credit and paid some each week.  The pay stub for one Saturday shows that he earned 10 cents an hour and worked 10 hours, so he earned a whole dollar for the day.  He always observed Sunday as the Sabbath.

I love this photo which shows his everyday clothes, his hunting rifle, and his dog. I assume this photo was taken on his parents' farm. 

Grandma's Photo Album Page 77 - Snyders and an unknown baby

(Left) I don't know who this baby is.  I don't recognize the setting.  The photo looks like it might be a 1920s vintage.

(Center)  On the left is Myrtle Stewart Snyder (1897-1972), wife of William Eugene Snyder, my grandfather's brother.  On the right is my grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992).

They are standing on the front porch of a house on Devonshire Street in Winston-Salem, N.C.  It's hard to tell which house because the two brothers (Will and my grandfather) bought identical houses next door to each other! 

The photo must have been taken between my grandparents' marriage on April 16, 1919, and the day they sold the house, April 30, 1924.

(Right) My aunt Mozelle (living).


References:

(1) Forsyth County, North Carolina, deeds, 1849-1927, 148: 143, H. A. Pfohl et al to W. T. Snider, 2 Oct 1916; microfilm C.038.40067.  Tom, a single man, bought a house on Devonshire St.
(2) Forsyth County, North Carolina, deeds, 1849-1927, 150: 137, H.A. Pfohl et al to W.E. Snider, 30 Nov 1916; microfilm C.038.40067.  Will and Myrtle bought their house on Devonshire.

(3)Forsyth County, North Carolina, deeds, 1849-1927, 230: 225, W. T. Snider and wife to J. P. Simmons, 30 Apr 1924; microfilm C038.40099.  Same reel: 226, J.P. Simmons and wife to W.T. Snyder and wife, 30 Apr 1924.  Tom and Nora sold the Devonshire Street house, and bought a farm just outside Winston-Salem on the same day.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 76 - Russell Jess Snyder in Wilkes County, N.C.

Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984) was my grandfather's brother.  He was called Jess.

I think this photo was taken in a photography studio in Wilkes County, N.C., about 1917-1920.  Jess is sitting in the same chair and backdrop as pages 74 and 75, but I'm not sure they were taken the same day.  In this photo, Jess is wearing a nice suit (possibly the same as in the other photos) but without the vest.  But his hair looks slightly different, and he appears to me to be a bit older than in those photos.

(I don't know what the other picture was on this page.  I have loose photos that fell out of the album.  I'll post the loose photos after the photos still in the album.)

Grandma's Photo Album Page 75 - Snyder Brothers from Wilkes in World War I

These are photos circa 1917-1919 of two sons of Nicholas Grindstaff Snyder (1863-1944) and his wife, Louise Jane Whittington (1863-1933).  The family lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina, so I believe these photos were taken there.

Standing in the left photo is Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984).  Seated, and in the photo at the right, is John B. Snyder (1894-1969). 




Jess registered for the draft on September 12, 1918, in Wilkes County.[1]  He was a single farmer of medium height and build with blue eyes and light hair.  He never served in the military.

John registered on June 5, 1917 in Wilkes County.[2]  He was also a single farmer.  He was tall, with a medium build, dark blue eyes and dark brown hair.  He was initially in the 16 Company 4 Training Battalion 156th Depot Brigade until April 24, 1918. This company was in the 1st Battalion, 59th Infantry Brigade, 30th Division.  He was initially sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, for training, where he and Tom met up. 

On April 24, John was transferred to the 118^th Infantry, Company B.  Just one week later, on May 1, the 59^th Infantry Brigade left Camp Sevier for Europe, via Camp Mills, NY.  May 11, they set sail to England on the SS Canada, a miserable British troop ship, arriving in Liverpool on May 23.  They immediately headed to Calais, France, arriving May 24.[3]

 

They trained with the British near Calais and then at Dirty Bucket Camp in Flanders (Belgium).  By August 17, the 59^th Infantry Brigade was on the front lines in Belgium in the Canal d’Ypres sector.  From September 22 to October 20, they were on the front line in the Somme Offensive.  On October 8, the 59^th Infantry Brigade, assisted by tanks and one battalion of the 60^th Infantry Brigade, attacked and captured Brancourt-le-Grand and Premont, and reached a line from the Farme de la Piete to the eastern outskirts of Premont.  They remained on the front lines until October 23, 1918. [4]

---

[1] Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005; card for Jess Snyder in Wilkes County, N.C.
[2] Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005; card for John Snyder of Wilkes County, N.C.

[3] Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, 5 volumes (1931-1949; reprint, Washington, DC: Center of Military History, 1988), 2: 163.

[4] Order of Battle, 2:165 - 169.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 74 - Nick Snyder family in Wilkes County

(Left) My great-grandparents, Nicholas Grindstaff Snyder (1863-1944) and his wife Louise Jane Whittington (1863-1933).  They were both born and lived their entire lives in Wilkes County.  But Nick's parents and older siblings were born in Johnson County, Tennessee.  In 1861, Nick's father Noah moved his family to Wilkes County.  Noah joined the Confederate Army (5th N.C. Senior Reserves), while 4 of his brothers back in Johnson County joined the Union Army (Co. I, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry). 

(Right) Two of Nick and Lou's sons.  At left is my grandfather in his WWI U.S. Army uniform.  He was Wiley Thomas Snyder (1892-1988).  Tom was inducted into the Army on September 18, 1917. He was sent to Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) in Columbia, S.C. for training. in Company D, 321st Infantry, 81st division (the "Wildcats").  After about a year of training, he was sent to France to fight in the trenches and was severely wounded the first week.  He spent 6 months recuperating in the Army.  He was honorably discharged on March 3, 1919.  He didn't waste any time - he married my grandmother on April 16, 1919.

Perched on the arm of the chair is his younger brother, Jess. Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984) was not drafted.  He moved to Winston-Salem and was a carpenter and builder.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 73 - Snyders about 1920

(Left) I think this is Ruth Mae Snyder Tomlinson (1920-1995), niece of my grandparents.  I believe this photo was taken in Winston-Salem since that's where she was born and lived.

(Center) The man on the right is my grandfather's brother, John B. Snyder (1894-1969).  I believe he's with a comrade from the army.  I imagine this photo was taken in South Carolina when he was in training in 1917.

John registered for the draft on June 5, 1917.  His was a single farmer with no dependents.  He was tall with a medium build, dark blue eyes, and dark brown hair.  He signed the card “John Snider.” (1) 

John was inducted into the U.S. Army in Wilkesboro on March 30, 1918.  He was initially in the 16 Company 4 Training Battalion 156th Depot Brigade until April 24, 1918.  Thereafter, he was in Company B, 118th Infantry.  This company was in the 1st Battalion, 59th Infantry Brigade, 30th Division. (2)

His daughter Dorothy told me that while on the S.S. Canada crossing the Atlantic, John stole a cabbage from the officers and shared it with the other guys to avoid scurvy.

I get chills whenever I read this account which was published in a tribute after John's death in 1969:
Mr. Snyder had a distinguished term of service in World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces where he saw active service in France.  He was actively engaged in several major battles, one of which occurred on October 8, 1918, wherein his company consisting of 256 men entered into battle and out of this number only five returned alive, Mr. Snyder being one of the five to return. (3)

After the war, John was a barber and owned his own shop in North Wilkesboro.  He was also a founder of a savings and loan.

He eventually married my grandmother's sister (Toyce Etta McNeil), so Dorothy is my mother's double first cousin.

(Right)  Is this also Ruth?  I think it's her, just a bit older.  She had 2 brothers (no sisters that I'm aware of), but this baby could be a boy!



References:
(1) Adjutant General World War I Cards, microfilm publication Army and Marine Corps Series (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1987 - 1988), roll S.1.120.37, John Snyder card. North Carolina State Archives.

(2) Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, 5 volumes (1931-1949; reprint, Washington, DC: Center of Military History, 1988), 2: 163 - 169.
(3) "Late J. B. Snyder is Honored By Savings And Loan," (North Wilkesboro) The Journal-Patriot, 29 Jan 1970, p. 3, col. 3.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 72 - Snyders in Winston-Salem and Gloucester

(Left) My grandfather's brother, Russell Jess Snyder (1896-1984) and his bride, Sallie Scott (1900-1970).   This photo was possibly taken on their wedding day.  They were married in Winston-Salem on Christmas Eve in 1919.  They had four children.  Jess was a carpenter and house contractor.  They were married 50 years.




(Right)  A photo of my uncle and some of his sailor buddies in front of the Gloucester sailing memorial.  Uncle Jimmy is on the right.  He was James Neil Snyder (1922-1993).  He joined the Coast Guard in 1939 and was discharged in 1946.  He married a wonderful woman, Kay, and they lived in Gloucester.  He worked as a tugboat engineer in New York harbor - seven days on, seven days off.  He picked up the Gloucester accent so well that you would never know he was born and raised in North Carolina!

Grandma's Photo Album Page 71 - Snyders and Broyhills in Wilkes County

(Top)  Walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway (I think).  The four ladies are, left to right:

• Mozelle (living)
• Wanda Barnett Broyhill (1920-2010), a neighbor
• One of the Broyhill girls
• Bette (living)

The four daughters of Louis and Wanda Broyhill are pictured in http://doublefirstcousins.blogspot.com/2014/03/grandmas-photo-album-page-41-paper.html

Louis and Wanda Broyhill with their two oldest daughters are pictured at http://doublefirstcousins.blogspot.com/2014/01/grandmas-photo-album-page-36-snyders.html

My grandparents' homeplace in Wilkes County, N.C. is visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which cuts across the western part of Wilkes.  At night on their front porch, we could see the headlights of cars on the Parkway.

(Bottom) A visit from Uncle Jim and Aunt Kay.  Left to right:

• Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996)
• Kay (living)
• Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001)

I believe the car belonged to Uncle Jim (James Neil Snyder, 1922-1993).

Grandma's Photo Album Page 70 - MacLeans in Mass. and Snyders in N.C.

(Top left) MacLean family in Gloucester, Mass. The woman on the right is Florence Ann "Flora" Gillis MacLean (abt 1891-1951).  The man on the left is one of her sons -- John, Archie, Ralph, Maurice, or Stanley.  The child is likely her granddaughter. My uncle Jimmy married a MacLean daughter, Kay.

(Bottom left)  Kay is 2nd from left, with Mozelle, Nora, and Bette.  Kay, Mozelle, and Bette are living.  Nora Bessie McNeil Snyder (1900-1992) was my grandmother.  This photo was taken on my grandparents' farm near Millers Creek in Wilkes County, N.C.  I recognize the top of the barn at the back.  I guess my uncle Jimmy drove this car from Massachusetts where he lived to N.C. since my grandparents' didn't have a car.

(Bottom right) My grandparents, Nora and Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892-1988) and their son James Neil "Jimmy" Snyder (1922-1993).  Jimmy was in the Coast Guard from 1939 to 1946, so I guess the photos on this page were taken before he was discharged.

Grandma's Photo Album page 68 - Carrie Snyder in Wilkes County, NC

Two photos of Carrie Mae Snyder (1926-2001) taken in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC, about 1950 or so.  The house is her parents' home, where she was born.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 67 - Snyders in Wilkes County, NC

(Top left)  I don't know who this man is.  He looks like a Snyder.  I guess this photo was taken about 1950  (since the edging on the photo is the same as the other photos on this page).  I assume this is in Wilkes County.

(Top right)  My mother, Carrie Snyder (1926-2001), pretending to play golf on her father's farm in Millers Creek, Wilkes County, NC.

(Lower left)  I don't know who these young people are.  The bicycle in front is really nice!  The house in the background is my grandparents' farm house in Millers Creek.

(Lower right)  I recognize all of these people!  They are my mother and her 4 siblings, left to right:

• James Neil Snyder (1922-1993)
• Carrie Snyder (1926-2001)
• Ralph Lewis Snyder (1932-1996)
• Mozelle (living)
• Bette (living)

This photo was probably taken on their parents' farm in Millers Creek.

Grandma's Photo Album Page 66 - Snyder Sisters-in-Law in Wilkes County, NC

Carrie and Kay modeling on the farm in Wilkes County, NC.  Kay was married to Carrie's brother.  They sure looked a lot alike!

In the photo at left, Kay (living) is in the strapless gown, and Carrie Snyder (1926-2001) is in the kimono.

I think this photo was taken about 1950.  I believe Carrie got the kimono when she worked in Washington, D.C., as a pediatric nurse in the late 1940's / early 1950's.  There was a female Dr. Snyder who worked with her, and the doctor got many invitations to embassy parties.  She would sometimes give the invitation to my mother (since she had the same last name).  The embassies had a souvenir area where the attendees could buy things.  My mother had an evening gown to wear to these events.  I played dress-up in them as a little girl!