This branch of the Snyder family descends from a Rhine family of Germany, who have behind them a long line of German ancestors.
(I) John Snyder was born in Heimersheim, a village of Germany, situated on the river Rhine, not very far from the city of Cologne. His father was a man of education and a professor in the German schools. The Snyders were Catholics in religion. John Snyder married Mary Ann Weaver, born in the same village as her husband, where they continued to reside until after the birth of their son Charles. In 1845 they sailed for the United States, where they arrived at New York after a voyage of three months. They settled in Schenectady, where at that time there were very few German families. John died about 1852, aged a little over fifty years. His wife, born October 8, 1807, died March 23, 1879.
(II) Charles, son of John and Mary Ann (Weaver) Snyder, was born in Vestum, near Cologne, Germany, August 16, 1842. He was three years of age when brought to the United States, where he was reared and educated in the schools of Schenectady. During his boyhood days he was intimate with the sons of John Ellis, the great locomotive builder, and through the sons gained the friendship of their father, who was ever his firm friend. When of a suitable age, Mr. Ellis took him into his plant and had him taught the blacksmith's trade, where he remained until 1863, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at his trade about two months. He then enlisted in the United States navy, and served as an engineer on board the gunboat "Exchange." He was honorably discharged August 9, 1864, and returned to his old position in the Ellis works. He was made foreman of the blacksmith department of the works, remaining in that position until failing health warned him that he must desist from active effort. He offered his resignation, but instead of accepting it, the Ellis sons, who had succeeded their father as owners of the Schenectady Locomotive Works, sent him to Europe for an extended trip at the company's expense. He returned greatly improved and resumed his place at the works, but on a second breakdown retired permanently. He purchased thirty acres of farm land at Scotia, which he has improved at great profit, the growth of the village making it valuable for building lots. He is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and a Republican in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
He married (first) in Schenectady, 1867, Mary Walter, born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 11, 1850, came early in life to the United States with her father, her mother having previously died. Mary (Walter) Snyder died September 4, 1884, leaving three living children:
- Charles M., born December 1, 1868; justice of the peace in Scotia; married Anna Hammon, who died leaving two children: Harold C. and Helen M.
- Margaret G., born November 30, 1879, unmarried.
- Julia, born July 18, 1883. He married (second) in Schenectady, May, 1887, Cornelia A. Fuerst, born in Hungaria, Austria, January 27, 1865, and came to the United States when a young woman. Children: [not listed].
- Edward, born June 5, 1888; enlisted in the United States navy as yeoman, advanced to paymaster's yeoman, circumnavigated the globe in the famous cruise of the United States battleship fleet, 1907-08, and is now (1910) stationed at Brooklyn navy yard.
- William J., born January 25, 1890. He has served in the United States navy three and one-half years on the battleship "South Dakota" as electrician.
- Florence, born July 4, 1892.
- Nicholas T., born June 16, 1894.
- Frank J., born February 14, 1896.
- John J., born December 31, 1899.
- Catherine M., born May, 1901.
- Leopold G., born April 14, 1903.
- Henry R., born March 10, 1905.
The family are all communicants of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and the voters are Republican.