My Genealogy Hound

T. ALLEN SNYDER, attorney-at-law of Lehighton, has worked his way upward until he has attained a foremost place at the Bar of Carbon County. He was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pa., on the 15th of April, 1856, and comes of one of the prominent families of that county. His grandfather, George Snyder, was of English and German lineage. His father, John E. Snyder, was a native of Northampton County, Pa., and as a means of livelihood followed farming while at home. In early manhood he removed to Stroudsburg, where he engaged in contracting and building. He became a prominent man of that community, and was closely identified with the growth and development of that place. He married Elizabeth Utt, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Northampton County, and a daughter of Elias Utt, who was the founder of a general store at Bangor, formerly Uttsville, which bore his name when first started. Mrs. Snyder died in Stroudsburg, July 25, 1888.

Mr. Snyder of this sketch is the eldest of three children, two sons and a daughter. His education was acquired in the common and high schools of his native city, and in the Normal School of Millersville, from which institution he was graduated after completing the scientific and classical course. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching, and was employed for a time in that capacity in the grammar school of his native city. Later he came to Lehighton, having in 1877 been offered the Principalship of the schools of this place. He accepted the same, and thus served for two years.

Mr. Snyder then returned to Stroudsburg, and after reading law under the direction of Hon. John B. Storm, was admitted to the Bar in Monroe County, in 1883. He then again came to Lehighton, and was once more Principal of the schools for two years, after which he was elected County Superintendent of schools of Carbon County for a term of three years. So ably did he fill the office that he was twice re-elected, serving in all for nine years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. During that time he gave some attention to the practice of law, and continued his reading; and on his retirement from official life, in June, 1893, he at once entered the legal profession, to which he now devotes his entire time and attention. He has a good law library and a handsomely appointed office, and is enjoying a liberal patronage.

On the 22d of December, 1879, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hauk, daughter of John and Sarah Hauk, of Lehighton. Their union has been blessed with two children, Raymond J. and Edith M. The parents were first members of the First Presbyterian Church of Stroudsburg, but later of the First Presbyterian Church of Lehighton.

In his political views, Mr. Snyder is a Democrat, and takes quite an active part in county and state politics. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows’ Society, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Royal Arcanum. In connection with his other business interests he is now Secretary and Attorney for the Building and Loan Association Enterprises Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and is a stockholder in the Lehighton Building & Loan Association. He is serving as attorney for the Lehighton Land Company, and is also its Secretary. He has been three times elected a member of the Executive Committee of the State Teachers’ Association and was once its Chairman. He took an active interest in institute work during his connection with the schools, and in educational ranks he attained a foremost and enviable position, being recognized as one of the leading educators in the state. The standard of excellence in all schools with which he was connected was advanced, and his efficient service in Lehighton is still manifest. He is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen, is a forcible and earnest speaker, and at the Bar is rapidly winning prominence.