Jacob M. Snyder, the genial, accommodating, and popular proprietor of the Snyder House at Gallupville, in the town of Wright, Schoharie County, was born in Berne, N. Y., May 6, 1837, a son of Peter I. Snyder. He is the worthy representative of one of the early settled Dutch families of this section of the State. His grandfather, John Snyder, and his great-grandfather, Ludwig Snyder, natives of Holland, emigrated to America in Colonial days, and both served as soldiers in the Revolutionary army.
John Snyder came with his parents to Schoharie when a young man, and with them settled in the unbroken woods. At the beginning of the Revolution he entered the Continental army, and on July 26, 1782, was carried as a prisoner to Canada. He there enlisted in the British army, from which he very soon after made his escape, and returned to Schoharie. Here he was afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits until his decease, in 1850. He married a Miss Dorstein. She died at an advanced age, after bringing up a large family of children.
Peter I. Snyder was born on the homestead in Schoharie in 1802. Learning the trade of a shoemaker in his youth, he followed it for a time in Berne, Albany County. Returning to Schoharie, he lived there a while, and after that he was located in Gallupville as a shoemaker a few years, and then he removed to Knox, Albany County, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and served as an Overseer of the Poor. While a resident of Berne he united with the local lodge of Odd Fellows, an organization in which he took great interest all his life. Both he and his wife were active members of the Lutheran church. Her maiden name was Eva Dietz. She was born in the town of Berne of German parentage, being one of the fourteen children of John B. Dietz. Eleven of these children grew to mature life, and the average age of nine of them was seventy-nine years, a record for longevity seldom equalled. Of the seven children born to Peter I. and Eva (Dietz) Snyder four grew to years of maturity and two are now living, namely: Jacob M.; and Elizabeth, wife of Sidney Shufildt. The mother died December 12, 1885, aged eighty-two years.
Jacob M. Snyder received his early education in the district schools of Berne, and after finishing his studies learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in Knox until 1863. Coming then to Gallupville, he opened a custom shop, in which for twenty-two years he made shoes to order, being the pioneer of that line of industry in this region. In 1885 he purchased from the former owners, Twitchell & Collins, the old Collins House, to which he has since built an addition. It is now known as the Snyder House, has been entirely refurnished, and is one of the best country hotels in this section of the State. Mr. Snyder also owns a livery stable, which he carries on successfully in connection with his hotel.
He is prominently identified with the Democratic party of this locality, which he has represented at various county conventions as a delegate. In 1891 and 1892 he was one of the Board of Supervisors, and for six years he has served as Town Clerk.
On November 27, 1862, Mr. Snyder married Julia Allen. She is a daughter of Sylvester Allen, who was formerly a carpenter of Knox, Albany County, but is now successfully engaged in farming in that town. Seven children have been born of this union, and four of them are now living; namely, Jefferson, Edna, J. Miner, and Ursula. Jefferson, who married Nellie Pecker, was for seven years connected with the Albany day line of steamboats, and for four years was connected with the management of Stanwix Hall in Albany, but is now proprietor of Hotel Berne in Berne, N. Y.
Edna is the wife of Sanford D. Schell, a farmer in Gallupville, and has six children — Eva, Libbie, Hazel, Martin, Jefferson, and Howard. J. Miner, for four years connected with the Albany day line of steamers and now manager of the Snyder House, married Carrie Zimmer. Ursula is the wife of Charles E. Spateholts, a farmer of Wright. Mrs. Snyder is a Methodist in her religious belief and a regular attendant of the church of that denomination.