Snyder, John Francis, 1830-1921

Born in Otsego County (NY), Snyder enlisted in Company C, 2nd Michigan Cavalry as a Corporal on Sept. 2, 1861, age 29, in Grand Rapids (Mich.). He was mustered Oct. 2, 1861 and re-enlisted Jan. 5, 1864 at Mossy Creek (Tenn.). He was again mustered on March 29, 1864. On Jan. 5, 1864 he was promoted to 1st Sgt. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. on July 31, 1865. On Aug. 17, 1865, he was mustered out at Macon (Ga.) . (For further information see the history of the 2nd Cavalry.).

From the description of Discharge certificate, 1865. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 40950655

Physician, lawyer, archaeologist, state representative and a founder of the Illinois State Historical Society.

A son of Illinois politician Adam W. Snyder, he attended McKendree College and received a medical degree from McDowell's Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1853. Snyder practiced medicine in Missouri and studied law, passing the Missouri bar in 1859.

Snyder mined gold in California during the Gold Rush and fought with the confederate army during the Civil War. In 1878 Snyder was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the thirty-sixth district (Cass County). He lived most of his adult life in Virginia, Illinois, where he practiced medicine and pursued his interest in history and archaeology, and was an active promoter of the study and preservation of Illinois history.

From the description of Papers, 1799-1941. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 24005291