History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 199
boyhood in the historic town of Gettysburg and tramping many
times over the battlefield where rest many of the bravest of the
soldiers of both north and south, Professor Snyder devoted the
greater part of Ins youth to his school work, attending the public
schools, from which he was graduated with honor. His high stand-
ing won hun free scholarship in the Pennsylvania College at Get-
tysburg, a scholarship founded by Edward G. McPherson, ex-clerk
of the house of representatives. Mr. Snyder gi-aduated from
Pennsylvania College in 1873 and his alma mater has since con-
ferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. Throughont his entire
life he has followed the profession of teaching. He was first connected
with the district schools of Wyandot county, Ohio, through
one winter and later removed to Indiana, where he engaged in
teaching until 1903. For twenty years he was connected with the
schools of Muncie, Indiana, being for four years a teacher and
principal in the high school. Later he was for sixteen years superintendent
of the schools there, which imder his guidance made
rapid progress. He went from Muncie to Monmouth, Illinois,
where he remained foi- two years as superintendent of schools,
and in 1909 came to Dixon, where for five years he has now had
charge of the city schools. He holds advanced ideas concerning
education and believes with Kant that "the object of education
is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible
for him." All through his professional career he has been guided
by the spirit of President Eliot of Harvard, when he said :
"What
is needed is continuous education which lasts all through life,"
and deep thought concerning the problems of the profession, earnest
consideration of the methods of others, combined with wide
reading and study have continually promoted his efficiency until
his recognized power has gained him place among the foremost
public-school educators of the middle west.
In 1878 Mr. Snyder was miited in marriage to Miss Nannie
B. Ferran. of Acton, Indiana, and they now have two daughters,
Lilly E. and Myrtle Morrow, both at home. The family attend
the Presbyterian church, of which Superintendent Snyder and
his wife are active and helpful membei's. he serving as one of its
ruling elders. His political suppoi-t is given to the republican
party and his wide reading on significant and vital questions of
the day enables him to intelligently express himself upon im-
portant questions of government. In INIasonry he has attained
high rank in both the York and Scottish Rites. He is a past
master of the blue lodge, thrice illustrious master in the council