Snyder Community
Hale County, Texas

Mennonite Colony

The Life of Grace Swartzendruber
by Maribeth Troyer

Chapter One: Land of Promise

[In 1989, for an advanced college writing course at Hesston College, Hesston, KS, Maribeth Troyer wrote a 57-page biography of her grandmother Grace Snyder Swartzendruber (1907-1999). In addition to being interviewed for the paper, eighty-one-year-old Grace wrote comments on some of the pages, making corrections or clarifications. I have edited the paper slightly for publication here. Bonnie Snyder Smith, February 2007]

The cool morning air blew over the wide expanse of prairie in the panhandle of Texas. As Peter looked out across what was to become home for him and his young family, there was a feeling of gratefulness to God for leading him to Texas and for safety in the long journey and move. It had been a big decision to leave their home and to move a family of seven children to the unknown state of Texas, not to mention the large sum of money that had been invested in the 360 acre tract of prairie land.

Peter B. Snyder had been a Mennonite minister in Alpha, Minnesota but had been feeling discontented and dissatisfied with the situation there. As he and his wife, Ida had looked at promising advertisements of land agents for the inexpensive and rich farmland of Texas, Peter had been lured by the idea of a new life, an adventure and the possibility of establishing a new settlement of Mennonites in such an area.

After taking an “investigative” trip south in the fall of 1906, he decided that the land near Plainview would be a perfect location for the realization of his dreams. Peter returned home with stories of the things he had seen and the potential of this new territory. He not only shared his findings with his family and community there in Minnesota, but also traveled to neighboring states and encouraged other Mennonite families to join him in this pioneering adventure.

February 1907 dawned a bitter -40 degrees and saw the Snyder family boarding the train and heading for Plainview, Texas. One train car contained all their earthly belongings and another housed the livestock that was to be transported with the family to their new home.

It was not an easy or speedy trip for husband, wife or the young children who accompanied them.

“Mama, when will we get there? How much farther?” questioned the children.

“Why do we have to keep stopping all the time? And why do the men keep throwing fence posts off the train, Papa?”

Now that was all behind them and they had arrived in this paradise and were greeted by beautiful 77 degree weather. The thought of all that had to be done before they could begin living comfortably in their new location was overwhelming, but their excitement and anticipation of what was to come lightened those unpleasant thoughts. Two wooden frame tents were erected, one to house the family and the other to serve as a barn for the animals.

[Photo at left shows the Peter B. Snyder farm, looking east from the Jonas M. Kreider place; from the Grace Snyder Swartzendruber Collection]

In the months that followed, fields were plowed and planted, fences were erected to enclose the Snyder property, and a new house was begun. One accomplishment was the construction of an irrigation system, which was the first of its kind in the area. It included a large lake from which water was pumped by a large Besimere engine every night through a single pipe. In the daytime the output of water was increased through two pipes. This water was then channeled through the ditches in the fields. There was much work in those early days, but the able-bodied and hardworking Snyder family joined together to make this their new home comfortable and prosperous.

[Photo of the interior of the Peter B. Snyder house; from the John L. Snyder Collection; also in the Orville Snyder and Ernest Miller Collections in the Goshen Archives]

 As a result of Peter’s enthusiasm for and promotion of the possibilities of this new territory, it was not long before the Snyders were joined by a number of families from Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The community is known to this day as the Snyder Mennonite Community as a result of Peter’s influence and leadership in its beginnings.

August 4, 1907 hailed the arrival of the newest member of the Peter B. Snyder family. In the middle of the night there was a commotion on the lower floor of the two-story tent, and the boys were awakened.

“What do you think is going on?” asked Paul.

“Sounds like the whole neighborhood is here,” replied Vernon.

“Quiet you two, I’m trying to sleep. If it’s anything important they will come and get us, but in the mean time go back to sleep. Morning will come too soon anyway,” commanded John.

Arising from the ground floor came a faint plaintive cry.

“I wish someone would tell us what is going on. Sounds like a wounded rabbit now.” suggested Vernon, the baby of the family.

Vernon, at seven years of age, was to find out that his position as youngest in the family was taken from him by the birth of a baby sister. Grace Fern Snyder was born that night in a tent on the flat prairie of Hale County, Texas.

As work continued on the large farmhouse, which would become a landmark in the Snyder colony, the family became more accustomed to the lifestyle and environment of their homestead. The wide open spaces of Texas were the site of many cattle drives, some of which would pass over the Snyder property. Several times the cowboys stopped in at their tent to purchase eggs and milk or camp nearby for the night. It was always a treat to have these visitors for they surely knew how to sing and entertain.

Prairie fires were also a threat to the existence of these early settlers. Fire guards were plowed around all the buildings. One time the Snyder boys were part of a group who plowed a fire guard the 25 mile length of the railroad from Plainview to Lubbock.

It was not until 1909 that the spacious white farmhouse was completed and the family could move all their possessions from the tent. At this time Peter’s parents, John R. and Elizabeth Snyder, came to live with the family. [Grace's handwritten note: "from Alpha Minnesota"]

This made a total of 12 mouths that ate daily at the Snyder home. It was an enormous job for the ladies to keep up with the housekeeping, laundry and cooking for such a large group.

They always had a bountiful garden where they grew most of their own vegetables. A bountiful orchard located between the house and the irrigation lake supplied an ample supply of peaches and apples for the larder and table. Grandma Elizabeth loved flowers and enjoyed being outside in the yard and garden. Many times young Grace would accompany her outside, hindering more than helping, as Elizabeth painstakingly cared for her immaculate garden.

As the others were busy with their various duties and chores, Grace would accompany her Grandpa to collect the eggs, riding high and proud in an old baby buggy. When Grace was only three years old she received a live-in playmate and friend, Ruth Kreider. Ruth was the daughter of Grace’s widowed sister Maude. Although they were aunt and niece their relationship was like sisters. The two of them were accompanied by another niece of Grace, Vera Snyder. They spent many hours together inventing their own fun and fantasies.

“Come see what I made,” called Grace to her little nieces. “It’s over here by the barn.”

“What is it?” chorused the excited girls.

“Follow me and I’ll show you,” said Grace leading them to her invention. She had fashioned a “car” out of an overturned tank, a stick and an old wheel used for a steering wheel.

“You two ride in the back,” Grace instructed. “I’ll drive ’cause I’m the oldest.”

Obediently Ruth and Vera climbed into the car and were driven off to see wonderful, imaginary lands.

[Photo at right shows Grace's "car"; from the Grace Snyder Swartzendruber Collection]

It was nice to have someone closer to her own age with whom to play and grow up since Grace was quite a bit younger than her brothers and sisters. Grace got along well with her siblings. Her favorite was her sister Susie who was 16 years older than her. Susie had a winning personality that made all those who knew her, love her. The boys however, were boys and loved to tease and cause mischief. Grandpa John affectionately called Grace “Gracie”. Grace’s brothers took no time in perverting it to “Crazie”, much to her chagrin.

[Photo at left of Grace and her older sister Susie in the Snyders' backyard; from the Ernest E. Miller Collection in the Goshen Archives.]

Most of the family spoke Pennsylvanian Dutch as their first language. However by the time Grace appeared on the scene and began talking, most of her brothers and sisters had learned English at school and therefore spoke it more readily at home. As a result, Grace never learned to speak the language of her forefathers. However she was better prepared to enter into the studies at the newly erected one room school house because of her knowledge of English.

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 copyright © 2007 Bonnie Snyder Smith