Rev. Charles E. Snyder

JONES, SNYDER, REEDER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/5/2015 at 18:53:59

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

There is no earthly station higher than the ministry of the Gospel, and no life can be more uplifting than that which is devoted to the betterment of the human race. It is not possible to adequately measure the height, depth and breadth of such a career, for its influence continues to permeate the lives of theirs through succeeding generations. Among the able and popular preaches of northwestern Iowa is numbered Rev. Charles E. Snyder, pastor of the First Unitarian Church of Sioux City, who has not only filled a large place in the civic and moral affairs of his own community, but is also influential in affairs of national importance.

Mr. Snyder was born at Hollowville, Columbia County, New York, on the 13th of October, 1877, and is the son of Marshall and Maria P. (Jones) Snyder. In 1884 he moved with his parents to a farm near Martindale, Columbia County, where he attended the rural schools. He graduated from the high school at Chatham, New York, in 1895, received a certificate for college work from the University of the State of New York in 1900, and graduated from the State Normal College, at Oneonta, New York, in 1901. He then prepared for the ministry at the Meadville Theological School, Meadville, Pennsylvania. He began teaching in the district schools at Garfield, New York, in 1895, remaining there two years; was at Hollowville, New York, in 1896-98; Copake Falls, New York, 1898-99; was principal of the Uniondale School, Hempstead, Long Island, 1901-03, and was senior master of the Lakewood Boys School, Lakewood, New Jersey, 1903-08. His first ministerial work was as pastor of the First Unitarian Church at Franklin, Pennsylvania, which he served from 1908-1911, and then, from 1911-1917, was pastor of the North Side Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, since which time he has been pastor of the First Unitarian Church at Sioux City. He is a preacher of marked ability, is an earnest and forceful speaker and always commands a large hearing. He has been secretary of the Iowa Unitarian Association since 1918; was a director of the Western Unitarian Conference from 1918 to 1925; is a member of the executive Committee of the National Federation of Religious Liberals, and was a member of the fellowship committee of the General Conference of Unitarian Churches from 1921 to 1924.

Mr. Snyder has taken an active interest in benevolent and social work, having served as chairman of the executive committee of the Iowa State Housing Association, 1918 – 21; chairman of the housing committee of the Iowa State Tuberculosis Association, 1922-23; chairman of the committee on delinquent children, Iowa State Conference of Social Work, 1924-25, and vice-president of that organization in 1926-27; director of the Family Welfare Bureau of Sioux City; director of the Sioux City Day Nursery; member of the Council of the Boy Scouts and that of the Girl Scouts, and a member of the council of the Bureau of Social Agencies, Sioux City, as well as president of the Parent-Teachers’ Association of the Central High School, 1923-24.

In 1904, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Sara M. Reeder, of Big Flats, New York, and they are the parents of three children, namely; Robert Gordon, born in 1905, who is a student at Morningside College; Betty Beach, born in 1908, also a student at Morningside College’ and Barbara Ives, born in 1912. Fraternally Mr. Snyder is a member of Landmark Lodge, No. 103, A.F. & A.M.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A.A.S.R.; Rose Croix Chapter, No. 400, O.E.S., of which he was worthy patron in 1921; Sioux City Lodge, B.P.O.E., of which he was Chaplin in 1925-26; and the Royal Arcanum, of which he was grand regent of the Iowa Grand Council in 1922-24, and has been a member of the Supreme Council since 1924. He served as grand chaplain of the Iowa Grand Lodge of Masons in 1922-23. He has been secretary of the Sioux City Academy of Science and Letters since 1918. He has been active in Kiwanis circles, having been a charter member of the Sioux City organization; a district trustee, 1920-23; a director in 1924; chairman of the public affairs committee, 1920-24, and president in 1925. He is a charter member of the Sioux City Professional Men’s Club, which he served as vice-president in 1924 and as a director in 1925 and 1926. He was president of the Inter Club Council of Sioux City in 1925-26. He is a member of the War Eagle Monument Association of Sioux City and was chairman of the communities which had in charge the erection of the monument. He also belongs to the Sioux City Boat Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, having been chaplain of the Iowa Society in 1926-27, and president of the Woodbury County Chapter in 1926; the Society of the War of 1812, the Iowa Academy of Science and the Mississippi Valley Historical Association. It is thus seen that Mr. Snyder has filled a large place in the life of the city in which he resides, standing at all times for the best things in the community and for all that tends to make life better and brighter for everyone. A man of forceful individuality, cordial and friendly in manner and intensely optimistic in his outlook on life, he is a welcome member of any circle which he enters. Because of his influence, his accomplishments and his fine public spirit, he is entitled to specific recognition in the history of this section of the state.