Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Snyder, Simon

SNYDER, Simon, governor of Pennsylvania, b. in Lancaster, Pa., 5 Nov., 1759; d. near Selinsgrove, Pa., 9 Nov., 1819. His father, Anthony, a mechanic, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1758. After his death in 1774 the son apprenticed himself to a tanner in York, Pa., and employed his leisure in study. In 1784 he removed to Selinsgrove, opened a store, became the owner of a mill, and was justice of the peace for twelve years. He was a member of the convention that framed the constitution of 1790, and in 1797 was elected a member of the house of representatives, of which he was chosen speaker in 1802, serving in this capacity for six successive terms. With him originated the “hundred-dollar act,” which embodied the arbitration principle and provided for the trial of causes where the amount in question was less than one hundred dollars. In 1808 he was made governor of Pennsylvania and served three, terms. Upon his retirement in 1817 he was elected to the state senate, and died while a member of that body. Snyder county, Pa., was named for him.