Pushing Pennsylvania Through The War of 1812 - Governor Simon Snyder
Simon Snyder was the third Governor of Pennsylvania and the person who oversaw moving the State capital to Harrisburg.
Simon Snyder
Simon Snyder was born into a working class family in Pennsylvania who secured him an apprenticeship as a young man.
Snyder skipped fighting in the Revolutionary War in an effort to support his family.
He instead opened and operated a gristmill.
Emerging Politician
Despite his lack of connections to elite society, Snyder’s community elected him as a Justice of the Peace.
His dedication to public virtue secured the admiration of his contemporaries who sent him to Pennsylvania’s 1790 State Constitutional Convention.
In this position, Simon played a supporting role in creating the State’s new Government.
Speaker
By 1797, Snyder was elected to the State House of Representatives.
He spent a decade in this office, including three years as Speaker of the House.
Simon’s popularity led him to challenge Thomas McKean for Governor of Pennsylvania, though he was unable to unseat the incumbent.
Three years later, Snyder tried again and this time successfully secured the office. He became the third Governor (though under the previous Constitution the State had several ‘Presidents’, including Benjamin Franklin).
Governor
Snyder’s three terms as Governor lasted nine years.
Notably he supported James Madison’s declaration of the War of 1812, during which time he led Pennsylvania in recruitment of soldiers and defensive preparations.
Simon is also notable for suggesting the relocation of the State capital to Harrisburg due to its central location. Pennsylvania still meets in Harrisburg to this day.
When his third term came to a close, Simon Snyder’s name was floated as a possible Vice Presidential candidate for James Monroe, though he declined to run.
Snyder retired to his home where he caught typhoid and passed away just two years later.
Do you want to read more about other Presidents of Pennsylvania?
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Enjoy these articles on Thomas Mifflin and Thomas Wharton.
Want to learn more about Pennsylvania’s role in the War of 1812?
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‘Pennsylvania and the War of 1812’ is a great study on that State’s enthusiastic support of the hostilities.
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