Snyder served as a member of the Illinois Senate in 1830 and was reelected in 1832. During the Black Hawk War he served as a captain in the Illinois militia. During the war he was involved as a commander at the first Battle of Kellogg's Grove.[1] He moved to Belleville, Illinois in 1833 where he was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1834 to the 24th United States Congress. Adam Wilson Snyder was eventually elected as a Democrat to the 25th U.S. Congress and served from March 4, 1837–March 3, 1839. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1838.
Following his time in national office Snyder was again elected to the Illinois Senate in 1840 but resigned in 1841. He was nominated as a candidate for Governor of Illinois, but died in Belleville before the election. He was interred in nearby Green Mount Cemetery.