Biography

04/16/1867 - 12/07/1931

Charles A. “Carnation Charley” Snyder (R29) Schuylkill County 1909-1918

Early Life: 

Charles A. “Carnation Charley” Snyder, born April 16, 1867, Pillow, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; son of William Herb and Leah Hoeffer Brua Snyder; public schools education; admitted, Schuylkill bar, 1889; served, Pennsylvania National Guard; lawyer; deputy district attorney, Pottsville; elected, city solicitor, Pottsville; elected, controller, Schuylkill County; solicitor, Schuylkill County; married Laura R. Arters, 1891; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1903-1908; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1909- resigned April 30, 1917; elected, Pennsylvania Auditor General, 1917-1921; elected, chairman, State Workmen’s Compensation Board, 1921; elected, Pennsylvania State Treasurer, 1921-1924; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1924; appointed, special deputy, Pennsylvania Auditor General’s office, 1925-1926; elected, District Attorney, Schuylkill County, 1927-1931; died, December 7, 1931 (aged 64), Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; interment, Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. 

Early Career:

Deputy district attorney, Pottsville; elected, city solicitor, Pottsville; elected, controller, Schuylkill County; solicitor, Schuylkill County.  

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1903-1908, not a candidate, reelection, 1908. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 29th district, Schuylkill County, 1909-1917; committee assignments, Appropriations, Congressional Apportionment, Education, Executive Nominations, Federal Relations, Judiciary General, Judicial Special (Chairman), Public Health and Sanitation; resigned, elected, Pennsylvania State Auditor General, April 30, 1917.  

Names of any service after Senate:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania Auditor General, 1917-1921. 

Alternate delegate, 12th district, 1920 Republican National Convention, Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, June 8-12, nomination of: Warren G. Harding, of Ohio, President and Calvin Coolidge, of Massachusetts, Vice-President.

Elected, chair, State Workmen’s Compensation Board, 1921. 

Elected, Pennsylvania State Treasurer, 1921-1924. 

Unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1924. 

Appointed, special deputy, Pennsylvania Auditor General’s office, 1925-1926. 

Elected, republican, District Attorney, Schuylkill County, 1927-1931.  

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us) 

Legacy: 

Died suddenly, December 7, 1931, in his Pottsville office, day before he was to be sworn-in for his second term. He was 64 years old and as noted by Governor Gifford Pinchot, a “no more vital and colorful figure has existed in my time in Pennsylvania politics”.  

Given the nickname of “Carnation Charley” for his lifelong habit of wearing a fresh flower every day in his lapel. He was also a dapper dresser who often seen in a light suit, wearing gloves and spats, and a soft brown hat.  

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members S". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Cox, Harold. Senate1790-1869 (wilkes.edu). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual, (1917). Miller, H.P., (Compiler). Baker, W.H., (Assistant Compiler). Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 1150, 1163, Biographical Sketches of Senators, Page 1130.

Harrisburg Telegraph, (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Charles A. Snyder Found Dead in His Pottsville Office, December 8, 1931, page 13.

Pillow, PA - Home (pillowpa.org) 

Charles A Snyder (1867-1931) - Find a Grave Memorial