Born near Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, nephew of James Ross Snowden. Received A.M. from Jefferson College in Pennsylvania in 1856. He studied law at the University of Pennsylvania but was not admitted to the bar. Married Elizabeth Robinson Smith February 16, 1864. They had two daughters and a son.

Served in Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War. Employed as Register and promoted to Chief Coiner of the U.S. Mint in 1866 and served until 1877. Served as Postmaster in Philadelphia 1877 to 1879. Superintendent of the U.S. Mint 1879 to 1885. He twice declined directorship of all U.S. Mints. He served on the Assay Commission for 1878, 1879, 1897, and 1989.

Snowden appears on a U.S. Mint medal (MT-14) honoring his service as superintendent.

Appointed minister to Greece 1889 to 1891 and minister to Spain 1891 to 1893.

bio: ApCAB; Evans; NCAB 12; TCBDA; WWWA-1

obit: AJN 46 Jul 1912 page 151; NUM 25 Sep 1912 page 331