Leon F. Snyder, one of the best known dealers in real estate of Utica, New York, was born in that city, on June 19, 1890, the youngest son of Charles C. and Flora R. (Vogt) Snyder, his brothers being J. Carl and Grover C. Snyder. His father, an attorney at law, was born in Germany and died in Utica in 1907. His mother was born in Utica and died there in 1920.
Leon F. Snyder was educated in the public schools of Utica, then attended the Zion Lutheran School. At an early age he started selling newspapers while attending school, then became clerk at various places until 1905, when he entered the employ of Wicks & Greenman and remained for five years. He then became associated with the W. S. Peck Company of Syracuse, New York, in charge of their custom department for a year, after which he returned to Wicks & Greenman until 1913, then traveled for a year for the American Tailoring Company, after which he engaged in the real estate business for himself. He is also identified with the Utica Nursery Company.
On July 1, 1914, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Inez E. Thomas, daughter of George N. Thomas of Pavilion, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have one daughter: Inez E., aged seven years.
Mr. Snyder was appointed supervisor of the seventeenth ward to fill out a term of six months, this position being created after annexation of part of New Hartford to the city of Utica. He also served as secretary of the annexation committee and was elected supervisor of the seventeenth ward for the term of 1922-23. He was chairman of the judiciary and legislative committee of the board of supervisors and one of the officers to adjust funds between Utica and New Hartford on bonded indebtedness and transfer of funds, and has been active in the development and improvement of the seventeenth ward. During his brief political career Mr. Snyder has had several battles but has always had convincing facts and figures at hand which have enabled him to gain his point. He has also compiled tables and drawings at his own expense while on the board of supervisors which later have been adopted and used by the board as future records. Mr. Snyder is a Mason and a member of Faxton Lodge, No. 697, Mohawk Valley Consistory, and is a noble of Ziyara Temple of Utica. He is a member of the Supervisors' and Ex-Supervisors' Association and of the Republican Club of Utica, and holds membership in the Curling Club of that city.