In 1823, the Erie Canal sparked visions of opportunity and fortune in many, including Abraham Snyder, who traversed to the land that would become his namesake. But when Abraham mysteriously disappeared in 1832, his son, Michael, became the man of the family and consequently became a one-man powerhouse of industry and generosity. Michael Snyder's eponymous settlement became a hamlet of Amherst in western New York that boasts a rich history dating back to its origins. The Snyders and other early settlers established several town institutions and landmarks—including the first mercantile and band hall—that gave locals a sense of community. Further, because of their humanitarian spirit, residents cultivated a sense of generosity and tolerance, evidenced by the practice of donating instruments to schoolchildren and embracing the Seneca Indian tribe as equals. Lifelong resident and Snyder descendant Julianna Fiddler-Woite