Biographical Sketches
ROBERT M. SNYDER
President of the Mechanics' Bank of Kansas City, and also of the Missouri Gas Company, has a reputation in business circles that might well be envied. His name is a synonym for honorable dealing, and his career is all the more creditable from the fact that his success has been achieved through his own efforts. Kansas City numbers him among its progressive and enterprising residents who in the midst of his own pressing business cares has ever found time to devote to the public welfare.
Mr. Snyder was born in Columbus, Indiana, March 10, 1852, and is a son of John and Sarah (Pence) Snyder, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather, John Snyder, was a Virginian, and by occupation a miller. He met his death by accident in the mill when in the prime of life. His family numbered 8 children. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Pence, was also born in the Old Dominion, and was a manufacturer of fine cutlery and guns. In personal appearance, he was a man of commanding presence, 6 feet in height and well proportioned; in manner was a genial, quiet and unpretentious man. He was well informed on all of the issues and questions of the day, became a great student in his latter years and could speak fluently several languages. He had reached the advanced age of four-score years when called to his final rest. The father of our subject became a prominent merchant of Louisville, Kentucky, where he died, in 1875, at the age of 48 years. His wife still survives him and is living in Independence, Missouri. They were members of the Christian church and Mr. Snyder served as deacon for some years. In their family were 8 children, namely: Robert M., John J., George P., William D., Ella, wife of William E. Garrett; Lillian, wife of A. L. McBride; Mattie K.; and Lulu, wife of Edward Kirchmaier.
Mr. Snyder, whose name initiates this biographical review, was reared and educated in Louisville, Kentucky, and remained with his father until he had attained his majority. He was fortunate in his home surroundings and influences and the sterling lessons which he learned in boyhood have done much to mold his manhood's career. After passing his 21st birthday he became clerk in the Louisville Rolling Mill Company, and a few months later was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, in which capacity he served for a year. He was then made cashier and afterward served as cashier and bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery house of Louisville. In 1876, Mr. Snyder left that place and removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he did business as a merchandise broker for 4 years. In t he undertaking he won success, and after accumulating a few thousand dollars he came to Kansas City, and for nearly 4 years did business here as a dealer in fancy groceries, selling to the wholesale trade. Again success attended his energetic and well directed efforts, and he invested a portion of his capital in a cattle ranch, which he still owns, also began loaning money on real estate and dealing in high-grade investment securities. Out of this grew the Mechanics' Bank, which was organized and opened for business in January, 1891. From the beginning he has served as president, and has made it one of the solid financial institutions of the county. In May, 1895, on the organization of the Missouri Gas Company, he became president of that concern. This company, supplying gas to consumers at a great reduction, has won thousands of friends and already has very liberal support.
On the 17th of January, 1876, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Miss Fannie M. Hord, a daughter of James B. and Mamie Hord. She died in 1876, leaving 1 child, Robert M. Mr. Snyder was again married in 1880, his 2nd union being with Miss Mary L. Dawson, daughter of George W. and Georgia A. (McCann) Dawson. They have 4 children: Mattie C., who died in infancy; Cary D., Roy J., and Kenneth W. The parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Snyder is now serving as deacon. In politics he is a democrat and socially is a 30 second degree Scottish-rite Mason.
Mr. Snyder is noted for this kindness and generosity and the poor and needy find in him a friend, yet his giving is always quiet and unostentatious, and his charities are frequently known only to himself and the recipient. He is a man of remarkable symmetry of character, whose judgement in commercial affairs and upon general matters is singularly wise and sagacious, and who is always loyal to a high sense of moral obligation. He is a gentleman of unvarying courtesy, highminded and scrupulously faithful to every trust committed to his care. Quiet and unpretentious in his demeanor, with not the slightest trace of affection, he bears himself with a becoming graceful dignity and acts with deliberation and the approval of his conscience in the discharge of his responsibilities. In him are blended in rare and attractive symmetry firmness, gentleness, kindness and an unswerving devotion to his loftiest ideals.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.