Joseph Sneider, chairman of the board of county commissioners in Hot Springs county, is a native of Germany. He was born February 13, 1863, and is a son of Carl and Amelia Sneider, who were also born in that land, where they spent their entire lives. Their son came to the new world when a youth of but thirteen years and first made his way to Chicago, where he remained for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Texas, where he lived for two years, and in 1880 he arrived in Wyoming, then a territory. In 1907 he took up his abode in Hot Springs county and has since lived at Thermopolis, being one of its widely known and highly respected residents. He has taken quite an active part in shaping public thought and action in his community and is one of the recognized leaders in the ranks of the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. In 1914 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, in which capacity he has since served and is now chairman of the board. He exercises his official prerogatives in support of many well defined plans and measures for the general good, carefully safeguarding the interests of this section.
    In 1898 Mr. Sneider was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Irvin, a native of Pennsylvania, and to them have been born two daughters: Hazel, who is now attending a business college in Denver; and Mabel, a high school pupil. Mrs. Sneider is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Fraternally Mr. Sneider is connected with the Masons, belonging to Thermopolis Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is a loyal adherent to the teachings of the craft and he has many warm friends among his brethren of that fraternity and in other circles of life.