BIO: Henry A. SNYDER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  HENRY A. SNYDER.  Similar to a foundation stone which holds its place 
under an important structure, the subject of this sketch occupies an 
immovable position among the solid and reliable business men of 
Eagleville, Centre county, where he is a successful dealer in drugs, 
stationery and tobacco.  He was born in Beaver county, Penn., November 
28, 1833, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal 
great-grandfather having served in that struggle.  His grandparents, 
John and Elizabeth (Kaup) Snyder, were natives of Snyder county, this 
State, as were also his parents, Wilhelm and Margaret (Marshall) 
Snyder, but it was then a part of Northumberland county.  While a 
resident of the same county, the maternal grandfather, John Marshall, 
was drowned in the Susquehanna river when on his way to market; his 
wife departed this life in Liberty township, Centre county.
  The parents of our subject spent the last years of their life in 
Eagleville, the father dying January 18, 1895, aged eighty-six years, 
and the mother in 1866.  Both held membership in the Baptist Church, 
and in politics he was a strong Republican, on which ticket he was 
elected to several offices of honor and trust.  By occupation he was a 
sawyer.
  Henry A. Snyder is the second in order of birth in the family of 
seven children, the others being as follows: Mary, wife of Richard 
Berryhill, a coach maker and merchant of Beach Creek, Centre county; 
Sarah E., a resident of Eagleville; Margaret, wife of Roland Smith, a 
farmer of the State of Washington; William H., who will be more fully 
spoken of farther on; Thomas A., who is engaged in clerking in State 
College, Centre county; and Lydia E., deceased wife of Daniel W. 
Glossner, a carpenter of Eagleville. There were also two other children 
who died in infancy.
  Until he was twenty-two years of age, Mr. Snyder, the subject of this 
review, still made his home with his parents, and in the meantime 
attended school and assisted in the labors of the farm.  At the age of 
nineteen he began teaching, which profession he successfully followed 
for three years, and then began his career as a clerk in a mercantile 
establishment in Beach Creek, where he remained for seven years.  He 
then served as agent for the Bald Eagle Valley railroad at that place 
and Eagleville for six years, after which he engaged in clerking and 
working in the lumber woods until 1889, when he established his present 
business in Eagleville, where he has made his home since 1866.  For 
some time he was the only telegraph operator between Lock Haven and 
Bellefonte, Penn., serving in that capacity before the railroad was 
constructed.  The business interests of his village are well 
represented by him, and he deserves a leading place among the 
progressive and prominent merchants of Centre county.
  Mr. Snyder was married at Beach Creek, in May, 1862, to Miss Susan E. 
Linn, who was born at that place in 1840, a daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (James) Linn, residents of Clinton county, Penn, where the 
former died, but where the latter is still living.  He was a farmer by 
occupation, a Democrat in politics, and a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Linn also belongs.  Four 
children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, namely: Cora B., at 
home; Maud E., wife of Charles Foster, a railroad mail agent residing 
in State College; Harry B., a bookkeeper for a lumber firm in New York 
City; and Mabel G., at home.  An enterprising, wide-awake, business 
man, Mr. Snyder endeavors to keep abreast with the times, is well 
posted on current events and issues, and gives his support to worthy 
enterprises which have for their object the welfare of the community.  
Socially he is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the 
Grand Army Post, No. 302, both of Eagleville, while politically he is 
an ardent supporter of Republican principles.
  William H. Snyder, the brother of our subject, was born in Snyder 
county, February 2, 1843, and remained at home until 1860, when he 
began work for G. W. Leuffer, chief engineer for the Pennsylvania 
railroad, with whom he remained until 1881, when that gentleman 
retired.  Mr. Snyder then served as division engineer with the Beach 
Creek railroad for three years, and for a year and a half engaged in 
contracting on the Clearfield & Mahoning railroad.  At different times 
he has also been with other railroad companies.  During the battle of 
Gettysburg he was engaged in surveying a railroad to be constructed to 
that place for the purpose of carrying ammunition and troops, and was 
obliged to work night and day.  On January 1, 1882, he was married, in 
Eagleville, to Miss Laura E. Spray, and they have three children: 
William B., Helen V. and

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 391

John M. Like his brother, he is an ardent supporter of the Republican 
party; socially he is a member of the Order of Elks and of the F. & 
A.M.