US Congressman. He was born in Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and attended schools there before moving to Ohio in 1815, where he clerked in a store. In 1817 he moved to Cahokia, Illinois, where he managed a wool carding plant and fulling mill while studying law with the owner, future US Senator Jesse Thomas. He won admission to the bar in 1820, and began a practice in Cahokia while also owning and operating a farm. From 1822 to 1823 he served as the Prosecuting Attorney for the First Judicial District of Illinois. He won election to the Illinois Senate in 1830 and 1832, and during the Black Hawk War he served as commander of a militia company with the rank of Captain. He maintained his membership in the militia, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1833 he moved to Belleville when it replaced Cahokia as the St. Clair County seat, and in 1834 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the US House. In 1836 Snyder was a successful Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1837 to 1839. He did not run for reelection in 1838 and returned to practicing law and farming. Snyder served again in the Illinois Senate from 1840 to 1841. He was the Democratic nominee for Governor when he died in Belleville.
US Congressman. He was born in Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and attended schools there before moving to Ohio in 1815, where he clerked in a store. In 1817 he moved to Cahokia, Illinois, where he managed a wool carding plant and fulling mill while studying law with the owner, future US Senator Jesse Thomas. He won admission to the bar in 1820, and began a practice in Cahokia while also owning and operating a farm. From 1822 to 1823 he served as the Prosecuting Attorney for the First Judicial District of Illinois. He won election to the Illinois Senate in 1830 and 1832, and during the Black Hawk War he served as commander of a militia company with the rank of Captain. He maintained his membership in the militia, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1833 he moved to Belleville when it replaced Cahokia as the St. Clair County seat, and in 1834 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the US House. In 1836 Snyder was a successful Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1837 to 1839. He did not run for reelection in 1838 and returned to practicing law and farming. Snyder served again in the Illinois Senate from 1840 to 1841. He was the Democratic nominee for Governor when he died in Belleville.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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