This [Anjemima Bonner] is a possible answer to who was the mother of Buena Vista Snyder. Parents unknown
[could be the daughter of Solomon Bonner and Mary Jane Bright - as this is the only person in my database who would be the right age - also this Anjemima Bonner has some records that says she had a daughter named Buena born before she married James Kerns]
The other question in this puzzle is who was Buena’s father. The leading contenters are either Capt. Sampson Snyder or his son, Loenza Dow Snyder.
Here’s what I have as of July, 2012:
Pro - Dow being the father and Anjemima Bonner being the mother:
1. In Buena’s obituary it was stated that she was the half sister of Amos Snyder, which would make her the son of Dow.
2. 1900 census in Dry Fork, WV - Shows that Buena lived in the Sampson Snyder household and listed as “granddaughter”
3. In Ancestry.com a GED file stated that her parents were Dow Snyder and Anjemima Bonner - see:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/11162927/person/5014072297Pro - Capt. Sampson Snyder being the father
1. 1900 census in Dry Fork, WV - lists that Buena lived in the Sampson Snyder household and listed as “granddaughter” - even though listed as granddaughter this could have been hide her parentage and protect Sampson’s reputation [my conjecture]
2. I can’t tell how long Buena lived in the Sampson Snyder home but assume she did not go with Lorenza and family to Idaho in 1894 since she is found living with Sampson in the 1900 census.
3. My dad, Milton Lee Snyder, who was born and raised on the Weippe prairie and very close to John W. Snyder [practically being raised by him after the death of his father when he was 12], his grandfather and the son of Sampson, Sr. According to Milton’s story, John W. told him that Buena was actually the illegitimate daughter of his dad, Capt. Sampson Snyder. Dad said that Buena was always treated equally to all of the offspring of Capt. Snyder.
4. I have many pictures of family reunions where all of the brothers and sisters [offspring of Capt. Snyder], with their wives, would have their pictures taken with Buena in it. No other grandchildren are in the pictures [just siblings and spouses] so it makes sense that she was the daughter, not granddaughter, of the Captain.
What do I think? The “PC” answer would be to go along with Buena’s family who obviously believe her father was Dow Snyder. – however I’m troubled by the fact that Dow and family left WV for Idaho, apparently without her, when Buena was 10. So with that, and my dad’s insistence that his grandfather was convinced she was Capt. Snyder’s, I’m going to say she was the daughter of Sampson Snyder.
Page 240 Lambert Book,"(8) Jemima bonner was wed to James Kerns. Their children were:Buena, Peach, Texa, Doane*, Eli, Mary, and Sully." *(footnote) Doane Kerns was killed in France during World War I
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possible information from another souce:
b.10 Apr 1866
95d.10 Jun 1931
95bur.Parsons, Tucker County, West Virginia
95married to Anjemima Bonner
m. 28 Feb 1901, Randolph County, West Virginia
b.15 Dec 1865
95d.12 Jun 1932
95bur.Parsons, Tucker County, West Virginia
95from:
http://www.potomachighlandroots.com/wc54_266.htm--------
1900 United States Federal Census about James Kerns
Name:
James Kerns
Age:
35
Birth Date:
Dec 1864
Birthplace:
West Virginia
Home in 1900:
Dry Fork, Randolph, West Virginia
Race:
White
Gender:
Male
Relation to Head of House:
Head
Marital Status:
Married
Spouse's Name:
Angemina Kerns
Marriage Year:
1888
Years Married:
12
Father's Birthplace:
Virginia
Mother's Birthplace:
West Virginia
Occupation:
View on Image
Neighbors:
View others on page
Household Members:
Name
Age
James Kerns
35
Angemina Kerns
37
Peachie Kerns
11
Texir Kerns
8
James D Kerns
6
Eli Kerns
5
Carrie L Kerns
3
John Kerns
2/12