Snyder - John Corson
Source:
Taken from Citizens Historical Association Biographies
John
Corson Snyder, born on a farm near Middletown, Ohio son of Jacob C. and Mary
(Kemp) Snyder. Jacob C. and Mary Kemp Snyder moved from near Middletown Ohio to
a farm near Crawfordsville, Indiana when their son, John Corson Snyder was
seven years of age. They later moved to a farm in southwestern Missouri. John
C. Snyder, the subject of this sketch attended district schools near
Crawfordsville, Indiana and later took a business course in Kansas City,
Missouri. When 15 years of age he accompanied his parents to Southwestern
Missouri where he remained until 21 years of age. He taught school several
years when a young man and after attending business college, engaged in the
real estate business a short time. Prior to 1893 he was associated with his
brothers, Frank L. and Harry K. Snyder in a lead and zinc mining enterprise
near Joplin Missouri for several years. After learning of the organization of
The Supreme Tribe of Ben Hurt, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, John C. Snyder joined
the original founders of the order. The plan at that time was to institute
Simonides Court No. 1 in Crawfordsville as the first court. However, due to the
efforts and enthusiasms of Mr. Snyder, two courts were organized before the end
of February 1894 one in Kansas CIty, Missouri and one in Kansas City, Kansas.
His first official position with The Supreme Tribe of Ben Hur was that of
keeper of the outer gate, and he was also a member of the law committee which
drafted the articles of incorporation. In the latter part of 1894, Mr. Snyder
and his family moved to Evanston, Illinois where he remained four years as a
fieldworker for the Supreme Tribe. In 1896 he was advanced to the position of
keeper of the inner gate. In 1898 he was elected a member of the executive
committee and at that time moved to Crawfordsville where he became an assistant
to DW Gerard, supreme chief. Shortly thereafter, he was made chairman of the
executive committee which position he since has held. In 1900 he became supreme
organizer, and in 1905, following the death of his brother, Frank, he succeeded
the latter as supreme scribe. In 1923 he was elected to the office of supreme
chief, succeeding Dr. Roy H. Gerard (deceased). He now is president of the
organization, which since 1930 has been known as the Ben Hur Life Association.
Since 1924 he has been president of the Elston Bank & Trust Company of
Crawfordsville. During the World War he directed many activities in Montgomery,
heading drives for the American Red Cross, YMCA, War Chest and Liberty Loan. He
served on the executive committee of the Indiana State C. of C., was chairman
of that body in 1918 and president in 1919. He served 3 terms as president of
the Montgomery County C. of C (sic). He formerly was a member of the Crawfordsville
School Board. Mr. Snyder, who is independent in politics, is a member of the
following: Masonic Lodge; Commander (KT) and Shrine; Rotary Club (past
president); Crawfordsville Country Club; Elks Lodge; Montgomery County Chapter,
Citizens Historical Association (a life member) and St. John's Episcopal
Church. Mr. Snyder is active in civic affairs and in undertakings for public
betterment. On Sept 27, 1890, John C. Snyder married Estella F. Cortright of
Kansas City, Missouri. Children: Helen, who is the wife of Arnold Lockerby
(Grand Rapids, MI). Marian, who married Wallis F. Petersen. His is Lt. Commander
in the US Navy of USS Yorktown and is stationed at Honolulu. Estella, who graduated
from Bryn Mawr (Penn College) and from King-Smith Studio School in Washington
DC. on May 24, 1934, she married William W. Kummings who graduated from Wabash
College and from the University of Michigan Law School. He now is a lawyer in
Crawfordsville. Mr. and Mrs. Kummings have one child, John born in 1936.