Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Snetzler, John
SNETZLER, JOHN or JOHANN (1710?–1774?), organ-builder, was born about 1710 at Passau in Germany, where some of his work as organ-builder is still standing. He settled in England when the trade was in the hands of Byfield, Jordan, and Bridges, separate firms acting in practical partnership (Burney, iii. 436–41). Snetzler's organ built in 1754 for the church of Lynn Regis, Norfolk, gained him great repute (specification in Grove's Dictionary, ii. 597). His organs for Halifax (1766) and St. Martin's, Leicester (1774), were excellently built, while that supplied to Sir John Danvers at Swithland was described by Gardiner, thirty years afterwards, as a specimen of Snetzler's great talents. Saturated with damp and covered with dust, it was still in tune and playable condition (Music and Friends, i. 166).
Having saved sufficient money, he returned to his native country; but, after being ‘so long accustomed to London porter and English fare,’ he found German surroundings uncongenial, and returned to London. Letters of naturalisation were granted him on 12 April 1770 (Home Office Papers, p. 161). He died after 1773, in which year he acted as executor to his friend Burkat Shudi the elder (Grove, iii. 489).
[Miller's Hist. of Doncaster, p. 162; Gent. Mag. 1813, i. 356; authorities cited.]