Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-07-29
Death Of Judge Adam c.:snyder.

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community, and saddened the hearts of hi
: many friends throughout the country N,
man ever enjoyed the confidence of hi
friends and acquaintances more than he, ant
none more deservedly, and we bring this tri
butte of our affection for him, and Law it upo1
his bier with deep and unfeigned sorrow
, When first stricken neither his friends no
his physicians apprehended serious results
He was apparently strong, he had never beer
seriously i'll, his abstemious habits, and sim
pie modes of life all argued in his favor, and
it was the confident hope that he was only
slightly ill. But about two weeks before his
death his malady became alarming and he
grew rapidly worse until death came to his
relief. The cause of his death was not exact
ly known, but seemed to be catarrhal affec
ton of the stomach, which baffled medica
Iskill.
Judge Snyder was 62 years of age, hayine
been born in Crabbottom in Highland county
Virginia in March 1884 His father was John
Snyder, son of Jacob Snyder who had moved
thither from Pennsylvania after the close OF
the Revolution. His mother was Elizabeth
Halderman, daughter of John Halderman, a
soldier IN the War of Independence. His
early education was obtained IN the schools
about his fathers home where he spent his
boyhood days. Afterward he attended Messy
Greek Academy in this county under It's
founder, Major Jed Hotchkiss. in 1915 he
was at Tuscarora Academy Penn, then he
went to Dickinson College at Carlisle, Penn,
and in 1878 completed his academic educa-
ton at Washington College at Lexington.
He then entered the law-schcol of Judge j.
w. peterborough who was then Judge of the
U. S. District Court, and there laid the found
alton of the legal education, which afterward
made him famous.
He seemed to have peculiar talent for
law and absorbed its principles with wonder
full avidity. After leaving the 1aw-school he
located in Lewisburg where he began the
practice Of his profession which was inter-
rupted by the war. AS soon as war began he
enlisted in the Confederate Army in Co. E.
OF the 9th Va Regi ment, part of the Old
Stonewall Brigade, of which he soon became
adjutant, and was with it in the Valley in
front OF Patterson. marched with it to Man.
assas and fought with it in that memorable
battle. where he was wounded severely in the
side. and which wound always thereafter gave
him trouble. He was with Jackson in the
Romney expedition, in the battles of Kerns-
town, Winchester, Cross. Keys Port Republic,
and in the seven days fighting about Rich
mond, at Second Manassas, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Gettys-
burg, as an active participant. In 1868 whilst
on furlough in Highland he was captured
and imprisoned in the Athenaeum at
Wheeling He was exchanged in 1864, but
his health had become so impaired by the
hardships of prison life and sickness that he
never again went into active service. After
the war closed he again resumed the practice
of law, and was elected in 1865. Prosecuting
Attorney of Highland county. Shortly there
after he went again to Lewisburg, W. Va,
| and in short time built up lucrative prac-
tice. At leisure hours he did editorial work
for local paper, and this had much to do
| with his ornateness of expression, and finish
ed diction, traits which were ever after appar-
ent in his writings
His reputation as learned and able lawyer
became so well established in his State that in
April 1882 upon the death of Judge Jas. F.
Patton, Coy. Jackson appointed him to fill
the unexpired term. At the time of his ap-
pointment nearly three years of Judge Pat
toms term were not yet expired, and as the
position could only be filled until the next
general election, Judge Snyder was before
the approaching election nominated by the
democratic party. and at the election received
majority of more than 5000 votes over his
competitor. In 1884 he was again nominated
by his party this time for a term of twelve
years, and again reelected by large MAORI
ty. This term he did not complete but resign |
ed in 1890, against the protests of lawyers and
laymen, to attend to his much neglected pri-
vate business. At the time of his resignation |
and for some time previous he had been
President of the Court. During the term of
bis office as Judge he delivered many Opini |
ons, which have always been regarded with
the utmost respect, and are cited as among
the ablest, clearest, and most concise, which
adorn the records of that court. His grasp of
facts, his application of principles and his
citation of precedents. were always so forcible
that it vas next to impossible to differ with
MIN, and the honesty of his conviction and
the soundness of his judgment, made him a
power i'll that body. His knowledge of land
law bordered on the profound, and his opin-
ions in this branch are peculiarly lucid, and
valuable.
But his chief charm was in his home life
as husband, and father. and friend. Difident |
and unobtrusive, but with the kindest and
gentlest nature he attracted all whom he met
and those who knew him best, loved him
IIo oh fu. on6 accicto6 |
the needy with marked generosity and |
modesty. In 1869 he married Henrietta
H. Cary, daughter of VIM. and Ophelia-
Mathews-C Cary, whose father had moved
to Greenbrier from near Frederick, Md,
and whose mother was daughter of |
John Mathews for many years clerk of Green
brier county. They have five children, four
sons and one daughter. The sons are DR..
Harry Otey Snyder, of Baltimore, J.
Verne, Kenton M, and Fred. W.. students at
Washington and Lee University last year, land
the daughter, Zulieme, who is IA years of
age.
In person he was tall, somewhat stopped,
with the appearance of studious habits plain
y marked. He was a constant and varied
reader and kept right up with the events and
learning of the times. His sense of humor
was particularly noticeable, and his geniality
attractive.
During the last years of his life he was en-
gagged in the development of mineral lands
in Virginia and West Virginia in which he
was interested, and he was also President of
the Bank of Lewsburg. It has been said
that Few citizens of the State have done
more for its material prosperity than Judge
Snyder With consummate knowledge OF
the resources of West Virginia, he has made
known these advantages in the commercial
and financial centers of the country, and
brought to bear well trained mind in the
work of furthering the interests of capitalists
from far and near who have availed them
selves of his invaluable knowledge both as to
the condition of the titles and the law relat-
ing to the vast tracts of ore and timber lands
for which West Virginia has become famous
Many sided in his intellectually. Judge
1 InY1-