Anton Schneider, a respected citizen of Hawkinsville, was a native of Prussia, born October 1, 1825. In youth he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and four years were consumed in learning the trade. In that country it was necessary that a mechanic should
travel throughout the provinces before he became a master mechanic.
He traveled through Germany. When war broke out in Baden he joined the forces of the revolutionists known as the forty-niners. After the defeat of his party, they were exiled from Germany.
Mr. Schneider was given passage from Barma in Switzerland of Havre de Grace to New York. Being a skilled mechanic, he soon secured employment and remained in New York for eight years. In 1858 he journeyed southward, obtained employment at Savannah, Ga., and later moved to Macon, Ga., and afterwards located at Hawkinsville, Ga.
In 1861 Mr. Schneider enlisted in Capt. 0. C. Horne’s company, Tenth Regiment, Georgia Volunteers, and went to the front to battle for his adopted country.
Mr. Schneider came back to his adopted home at Hawkinsville and resumed business as cabinet-maker and dealer in furniture, and in 1875 he became interested in grape culture and established the Pine Level Vineyard, employed a skillful wine-maker, sent to Europe for a cooper to prepare the necessary vessels, and built up an industry of large proportions.
Mr. Schneider was successful in all his financial undertakings, all of which, as well as his enviable reputation, he gained by industry, honesty, and fair dealing. September 16, 1885, Mr. Schneider married Matilda Market, an American lady of German descent, and one child, Minnie May, survives this union. She was born in August, 1891, and married Amorous Goette in June, 1.914. They have the following children: Mary, Amorous, Jr., and Catherine.
Mrs. Schneider died in May, 1899. In April, 1901, Mr. Schneider married Josephine Waggerstein, also American born but of German descent.