In 1834, he started to settle himself on the bank of the Ohio River (the present town of Albany, Indiana) which was almost unbroken forest.

He was Quartermaster of Fremont's California Battalion and held an office until last moment of the Mexican war.

From San Francisco, Snyder received the Senatorial nomination in 1851 and was elected by a large majority.

He became a member of the banking firm of James King & Company the previous year.

He was appointed a responsible position, United States Assistant Treasurer at San Francisco by President Franklin Pierce in 1853.