John Christian Schneider ^{1 2}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. He immigrated On the ship Allen on 7 Jul 1729 to Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ^{2 4}

2. Book: Biographical Annals of Lancaster County: Schnader, 1903. ³
From Page 109:

SCHNEIDER (OR SNADER). Matheis Schneider, Jacob Schneider with his wife Magdalen, and Christian Schneider with his wife Susanna Margretha, with fifty-six other Palatinates and their families, sailed from Cowes, Isle of Wight, on the south coast of England, July 7, 1729, for America, in the ship "Allen," James Craigie, master. They landed at Philadelphia and took the oath of allegiance to King George II, then King of England, Sept. 15, 1729. [Pennsylvania Archives, Vol I, Page 18.] They originally came from northern Switzerland near the boundary line of Baden and Wurttemberg, Germany. Some time prior to their coming to America they had found their way to Holland, from which country they were sent to England, with a view of being transported to Pennsylvania. They soon found their way to Weber-Thal, Lancaster Co., Pa where their friends George Weber, Henry Weber and Jacob Weber, Swiss Mennonites, had settled a few years earlier.

Christian Schneider had surveyed for him, under warrant from the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, dated Jan. 10, 1733, 138 acres of land on the north and south of Conestoga creek, adjoining said George Weber's land. This tract of land was afterwards conveyed to him by deed for the consideration of £20, 6s, 1d by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn. He erected a cabin on this tract, on the south bank of Conestoga creek, at a spring on land now (1903) owned by John Trego, in East Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pa., where he and his family resided up to the time of his death in 1793. His wife died in January, 1767 [Zeltenreich Church Record.] The name is spelled in various ways, viz.: In his will he signed it "Sneder;" in a deed to his son Christian he wrote it "Schnyder;"in the patent deed to him it is written "Sneeder," alias "Schneder;" later on we find it written "Schnader," "Sneider," "Snyder," "Sneder" and "Snader." When they came to this country they invariably wrote it "Schneider" which is undoubtedly the proper orthography.

Jacob Schneider and Matheis Schneider took up by patent about 250 acres of land some distance northeast of Weber-Thal where Center (now St John's) Reformed and Lutheran Church is erected. Jacob Schneider also purchased considerable land from William Morris, who had previously received a patent for the same. The writer has been unable to find that Matheis left any descendants or that he ever married. The descendants of Jacob are numerous and widely scattered; among them may be mentioned Rev. Charles Schneider, pastor of the Reformed Church at Shamokin; Rev. Davis Schneider, Reformed missionary in Japan; Edward R. Snader, professor of Physical Diagnosis at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

They were all followers of Zwingli, and in this country their descendants have generally united themselves with the Reformed Church. Many of them are buried at Center (now St John's) Reformed Church above mentioned. The descendants of Christian Schneider are buried in New Holland and Zeltenreich's Reformed burying-grounds. The children of Christian and Susanna Margretha Schneider were: John Jacob, Christian, Philip, Michael (sometimes called John Michael), Margaret, Elizabeth.

Michael Schneider, fourth son of Christian, on Nov. 25, 1766, married Elenora Mueller, a daughter of Lenhard Mueller, one of the early Huguenot settlers of Earl township, Lancaster Co., Pa. He received a deed from the Executive Council of Pennsylvania dated April 4, 1785, for 100 acres of land surveyed under a warrant to Andreas Graeff. This land adjoined his father's tract on the west. He also purchased forty-four acres and 146 perches of land from Peter and Barbara Worst, immediately north of his 100-acre tract. He and his brother Christian erected a barn on the tract of land originally taken up by his father Christian Schneider, in 1781, which is still standing on land now (1903) owned by Elias Martin. He died Sept. 2, 1831, in his eighty-seventh year. His wife died Sept. 22, 1821, in her seventy-ninth year. Michael and Elenora Schneider left five children: Christian, Michael, Lenora, Sophia, Susanna.

From Page 692:

The Schnader family originated in this country with the great great grandfather of Reuben K. who emigrated in the early part of the eighteenth century to East Earl township, this county, settling on a farm which is still in possession of the Schnaders. It is not known where he is buried.

Jacob Schnader, the great grandfather, was one of the organizers of the Centre Lutheran and Reformed Church, the site of which was the burial ground of one of his children. When Jacob settled four miles back from the Conestoga river in the virgin forest, all the surrounding country was a wilderness and he commenced to clear a farm with his axe. He worked with the energy of those men of iron who seemed to know no fatigue during his entire life and at his death, this sturdy pioneer was the owner of 1,000 acres of excellent land. Jacob Schnader was a most remarkable man, for he lived to his ninety-fifth year, being born in 1735 and died in 1829. He was married for the second time at the age of seventy five.

3. Book: The Schnader Family Reunion, 1929. ²
The Schneder Family Reunion, 15 Sep 1929

The Schneder Family, which we represent today, begins with the immigration of a man by the name of Jacob Schneider and his wife, Magdalen. In July, 1729, the ship "Allen" brought from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, England, three Schneiders: Jacob, Matheis and Christian, together with fifty-six other Palatines, with their families, altogether one hundred and twenty-six souls, and arrived at Philadelphia on September 15th of the same year. It is believed that the home of the Schneiders was in Switzerland, near the boundary line of Baden and Württemberg.

Whether the three were brothers is not known. After landing at Philadelphia they soon started for Weberthal, or Weaverland, where their friends, George, Henry and Jacob Weber had preceded them by several years. The Schneiders were followers of Zwingli, that is, Reformed people, but the Webers were Mennonites. So that it appears that from the very beginning there existed that pleasant friend ship between the people of the two bodies which continues to this day.

Of the three Schneiders, Christian remained in Weaverland and became the progenitor, among many others, of the late Aaron W. Snader, Esquire, once member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. Matheis and Jacob went north-east and took up by patent 250 acres of land about where Center Church now stands, and Jacob also later purchased land from William Morris. Nothing further is known of Matheis. Concerning Jacob, too, it is unknown exactly where he lived, when he died, and where he lies buried. He no doubt lived the hard life of a pioneer, and the times were unfavorable for the keeping of records.

However, it is known that he had at least one son, Jacob by name, and this brings us to the second generation. Jacob Schneder (for now the name changes from Schneider to Schneder) was born on March 8th, 1735, less than six years after his parents had landed in the New World. The place where he lived in manhood and old age we know. It is the place near Center Church which was long known as the Jacob Becker place, and on which Cyrus Messner now lives. Probably the splendid spring of water that is there attracted him, or perhaps his father before him, to this place.

His first wife's name was Maria. He was evidently a man of energy and force, for he attained to unusual wealth and influence in his community. He began what is now the Center Church graveyard. The story is that a child of his died, and because of the distance to either Zeltenreich or Muddy Creek Church, to one or the other of which he probably belonged, he decided to bury his dead on his own land. He selected a spot on the top of the hill just east of his home, where the ground was stony and unfit for farming. Alongside of his own grave, which is marked with a marble stone, there is a sand stone slab marked "1777 Elisabet S." It is possible that this was the first grave. If so, it must have been a girl ten or twelve years of age, for the grave is of that size.

In 1770, the date being plainly and ineffaceably marked on the west gable, he built the very substantial stone house which still marks the place, though it has been remodeled and somewhat enlarged. Its walls are fully two feet thick, and made with excellent mortar that has become almost as hard as the stones that are laid in it. There was an enormous fire-place, and the large living-room had in it a huge walnut table that was sold with the house as it changed ownership from time to time, and was preserved until, through the re-modeling of the house, there was no room any more large enough to accommodate it.
Jacob's first wife died probably in 1803, and in 1810, at the age of 75, he was married a second time to a woman by the name of Kafroth. He took part in the founding of Center Church, and the first building, a fine substantial stone structure with appropriate and artistic inside finish, was erected in 1819 on land that had belonged to him.

Before he died he had become possessed of some 1000 acres of land. His death occurred in 1829, just one century after his parents landed, having reached the age of 94 years. He is buried a few rods in from the gate of the Center Church graveyard.

Jacob Schneder's was undoubtedly a remarkable life. Already 41 years of age when American Independence was declared he lived to see the beginning of the administration of Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States. There is evidence that he sometimes travelled to Philadelphia, and perhaps to other places.

Coming now to the third generation, we do not know how many children Jacob had. There is a tradition that he built, or helped his children to build, four large stone houses that still remain as notable landmarks; namely, the one known as the Schweitzer house, now occupied by Joseph Eberly; the Stauffer house, now occupied by Benjamin Stauffer; the Lesher house, now occupied by Martin Good; and the Joel Eshelman house, now occupied by a Mr. Wenger. In addition to this, it is known that he purchased for his son, Baltzer, what was long known as the Christian Pleam place, now owned by Joseph Gehman. It is to be noted that at each of these five places there is a good spring of water, except at the Stauffer place, which is situated on the banks of a creek. It is certainly known that the Stauffer house was built by Christian Schneder, a son of Jacob, in 1795. Christian was born in 1757, and bought from his father the place on which the house stands in 1792, the father having purchased it from William Morris in 1774. Christian lies buried very near to Jacob.

It is also likely that he had one son by the name of Jacob, for in one of the deeds in which his name appears, it is written Jacob Schneder, Sr. A Jacob Schneder is known to have lived on the Lesher place, the one who was father of William, grandfather of Jacob and great-grandfather of Irwin Schneder. There is buried at Center not far from the old Jacob a Jacob who was born in 1758, and it is entirely likely that it is this Jacob, son of the old Jacob, who was the said occupant of the Lesher place. But with the exception of Baltzer, nothing definite is known of any other children.

Baltzer Schneder was born November 23rd, 1765. On December 5th, 1786, when he was just about twenty-one years of age, he married a Barbara Kitzmiller. Now there is a tradition that this Barbara Kitzmiller was a redemptioner whom Jacob had brought from Philadelphia to serve in his household; that young Baltzer fell in love with her and married her when he became of age, which procedure greatly displeased the father; and it was probably this situation that caused the young couple to leave the home neighborhood soon after their marriage.

Certain it is that Baltzer and his young wife went to Franklin County and lived there a number of years. Finally, however, the father seems to have relented, and to have offered to provide Baltzer with a home if he returned, but threatened to disinherit him if he did not return. Probably as a preparation for his return he purchased from Michael Messner in 1794 a tract of land which comprises the greater part of what are now the farms of Elmer Burkhart, Joseph Gehman and David B. Bender, the price paid being 800 pounds, or about $4,000. On this tract there stood at the place where Joseph Gehman's house now stands a dwelling house that was extraordinary for its time. It was probably built in 1774, as this date appeared on a stone of the wall of the building, and in that case was built by Casper Messner, who obtained the original title to the land in 1748. It was a stone structure with a high peaked roof, covered with red tiles that were imported from abroad. It also had leaden window sashes, the size of the panes being four by four inches. Visitors came from far to see the splendor of the mansion. There was also a large, thatch-roofed barn built in 1786 and a spring in the meadow near-by. It was to this place that Jacob invited his son Baltzer to come; and he came in April, 1796. Three years later the place was deeded to Baltzer for 400 pounds, just half the sum that his father had paid for it.

Baltzer occupied this place until 1826, when he built the stone house that in remodeled form still stands on the farm owned for many years by Baltzer Schneder, the younger, but now owned by David B. Bender. Baltzer left his son, William B., in charge of the old homestead, of which he later gave to his son, Amos, the greater part of what, for many years, constituted the Amos Schneder farm, but which is now owned by William Good.

In 1842 Baltzer sold the old homestead, consisting then of about 105 acres, to Christian Pleam. Baltzer himself continued to live on his new place until, four years after the death of his wife, he sold it to Peter Fry, the deed being dated Feb. 3, 1853. Eighteen days later, Feb. 21st, 1853, Baltzer passed away at the home of his son Amos, at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 28 days. He is buried at Center alongside of his wife, Barbara, perhaps the poor girl, part of whose life was sold to pay her passage across the sea.

Baltzer is described as a rather tall man, of medium build, active in his movements, and cheerful in disposition. Thus another patriarchal life came to its close.

Next is the fourth generation. Baltzer and Barbara Schneder had 13 children.

First was Benjamin, who lived and died at Columbia, Pa., where he, with his wife, Jemima, lies buried in Mt. Bethel cemetery. He was the father of the wife of J. C. Pfahler, a prominent citizen of Columbia.

The second was Elizabeth, who probably died in infancy.

The third was John, who lived, and is buried, at Middletown, Pa.

The fourth was the second Elizabeth, who was married to William Pannebecker, and is buried at Gouglersville, Pa.

The fifth was Catherine, who was married to John Bucher, and lived near Muddy Creek Church, and lies buried there.

The sixth, Sarah, remained unmarried. She reached the age of 85 years, and is buried at Center Church.

The seventh, William B., was married to a Miss Riemensnyder. One of his children was Anna, the wife of Henry Stauffer and the mother of his large and well known family. Another was William, the father of George, Mary and Laura Schneder. The wife of William B. met a tragic death on the old homestead by a fall from a cherry tree. Both are buried at Center Church, William having reached the age of 55.

The eighth was Jacob, who as married to Lydia Clime, and who was a prominent citizen of Terre Hill during its earlier history. He was a devotedly religious man, whose life left its impress upon his many children. His sons were Davis, Reuben, William and Levi, all of them men of prominence and influence; and his daughters were Caroline, wife of John Bowman, Sophia, wife of Jacob Flickinger, and Lydia, wife of Isaac Garman.

The ninth, was James, who married a Miss Kessler and lived at Allegheny, Berks Co., Pa. He was the father of Frank, Richard, John and James Schnader, and of Marria, wife of John Schweitzer, and others. He is buried at Allegheny Church.

The tenth was Mary, who probably died in infancy.

The eleventh was Amos.

The twelfth was the second Mary, who was married to Isaac Lausch, and is buried at Muddy Creek Church.

The thirteenth was Lydia, who was married to Michael Schnader, uncle of Aaron W. Snader, Esq. She is buried at New Holland.

Of these the one who is of chief importance for our sketch is Amos. Amos was born on New Year's Day, 1807, at the old Baltzer homestead. His life companion became Catherine Kessler, a sister of the wife of James Schneder, and one of the daughters of the large and interesting Kessler family. She was an excellent housewife, a good mother, a woman of sound sense and sunny disposition, and a great favorite with her grandchildren. The couple had five children, Rebecca, Baltzer, Elizabeth, Mary and Catherine. They built their own home on the land given them by the father - first, a one-story log-house, then repeated enlargements, until a large dwelling house, partly stone, was evolved. First, a small stable, then a good-sized barn, were also built. Additional land was also purchased until the farm became about twice its original size of about 25 acres. Amos learned the shoemaking trade in his youth, so that in addition to farming he also made shoes, and also made his own harness and wagons and agricultural implements, and did his own blacksmithing. He was a man of energy and of high spirit. He took an interest in public affairs, and in politics was an ardent Democrat. For his time he acquired an unusual knowledge of the English language. He was naturally gifted in speech, and had he had the advantages of a good education, might have made his mark in political life.
In appearance, he had a slightly stooped form, like his father before him, a high forehead, sharp eye and a prominent aquiline nose. The beloved grandmother passed away in 1888, at the age of 80 years. The grandfather lingered ten years longer and brought his age to 91 years and 8 days. He died on January 9th, 1898, and both he and the mother are buried at Center Church.

John married Susanna Margreta Ranck. (Susanna Margreta Ranck was born in 1707 in , , , CHE,⁵ died in 1767 in Terre Hill, Lancaster, PA ⁵ and was buried in New Holland: Saint Stephen United Church of Christ Cemetery, Lancaster, PA ⁵.)