James M. Snyder

Past Department Commander James M. Snyder
was born in Ballston Spa, July 21, 1845. His
parents moved to Troy when he was a young
boy and his home was in that city till his death.
In July 1862, at the age of 16, he enlisted as a
drummer boy in Company F, 125th NYVI and
he served with that regiment until he was taken
prisoner at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. After having
been exchanged he served with the Army of the
Potomac until the close of the war. He then
connected himself with National Guard, in which
he was commissioned as Colonel in 1871.
Comrade Snyder was at first a member of
George L. Willard Post No. 41, of Troy, but
when an overflow of that Post became the
William B. Tibbets Post 141, he was elected its
Commander and served it that capacity for eight
years and remained a good comrade of the post till his death.

He was Commander of the Department of New York for year 1905-06 and served the Grand
Army faithfully and acceptably in every position he was called to fill.

In the city in which his long life was spent he occupied many public and business positions of
responsibility, and filled all of them with success. His sudden passing cast a shadow of gloom
over the community. His had been a life for the young men to imitate. His love for his comrades
of the war for Union was evidenced by constant service in all matters of interest to them.
In these last day his Americanism was beyond question. An able speaker, he was active in all
places where pleading for war work was required.
James M. Snyder died in Troy, N.Y., on January 17, 1919 in the 74th year of his age. His death
was caused by pneumonia after a brief illness.

Source: Journal of the 53rd New York Department, Grand Army of the Republic, 1919.
Submitted by: Lorraine Orton, Camillus, NY. Past Department President, Woman’s Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the GAR.