John Charles Snyder was born on September 20, 1879 to Oscar Augustus Snyder and Tennessee Ozark Scott. He was the older brother of Thaddeus Sobeiski Snyder. His parents separated with Tennessee living in Carthage until her death in 1887. After Oscar Augustus remarried in 1895, Charles left to explore the West not returning for years. When he did return he married Elsie Klinefelter on June 10, 1906. They had nine children. Both parents died of tuberculosis, John on June 10, 1934 and Elsie, August 17, 1834.