Henry M. Schneider ²

  Noted events in his life were:

• Church: Lower Mahanoy Township: Hickory Corners: Zion's Stone Valley Church, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA.

• Book: Genealogical & Biographical Annals of Northumberland County by J.L. Floyd, 1911. ¹ Henry M. Snyder, postmaster at Hickory Corners, Northumberland County, was born Sept. 27, 1851, in Upper Mahanoy Township, on the old homestead. He received but meager educational advantages, his whole attendance at school covering only seven months, but by application and intelligent use of his time he has won the reputation of being the best read citizen of his section, and he is well up on current events, having an active mind and a taste for reading which has made many of his leisure hours enjoyable. With the exception of the ministers he has the largest and most comprehensive library in his district and his fondness for history is apparent in his selections. Mr. Snyder has led an active progressive life. Reared on the farm, he passed his early years in agricultural work, and when eighteen began to learn shoemaking and harness making, following same for thirty years. From 1871 to 1875 he was with his brother Gehret, in 1875 settling in Hickory Corners, where he has made his home ever since. In addition to his business he has found many duties in the public affairs of the place, where since 1893 he has held the office of postmaster, having been first appointed that year and reappointed every four years up to the present. During his earlier years Mr. Snyder was a very active worker in the Democratic party in his locality, having served fifteen consecutive years as township committeeman, and for twelve years was delegate to the county conventions. He was one of the confreres of Congressman Simon P. Wolverton who nominated him for the district on the occasion of his latest nomination, which was followed by his election. He was an ardent Democrat until 1896, when he joined the Gold Standard wing of the party. In 1901 Mr. Snyder was elected a member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, which then had a membership of 1,800 in the United States. Mr. Snyder has been a correspondent for four county papers since 1898, and he was the principal contributor to an elaborate article published in the Philadelphia Record and other metropolitan papers in October, 1898, entitled "Homage in Cannon Roars." He is one of the stockholders in the Sunbury National Bank, and his judgment in financial matters is highly prized.
On March 21, 1875, Mr. Snyder was married to Esther R. Zartman, daughter of Daniel and Hettie (Raker) Zartman, and they have had a family of six children: Daniel J., who is at present principal of the Mifflinville high school in Columbia County, Pa.; Harlan R. C., also a public school teacher, now supervising principal of the West Berwick schools in Columbia County; and four who died young, Halmer B., Wilson, Susanna and Esther. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder and their family are Lutheran members of the Zion's (Stone Valley) Church; Mr. Snyder served two years as deacon and was secretary of the Sunday school for a number of years.

Henry married Esther R. Zartman, daughter of Daniel Zartman and Hettie Raker, on 21 Mar 1875.¹