Constantine Jacob Erdman

Constantine Jacob Erdman (September 4, 1846 – January 15, 1911) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania who served two terms in Congress from 1893 to 1897. A grandson of Jacob Erdman, he was born in Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania, near Allentown, on September 4, 1846. He attended the common schools of the district and later a classical school in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, receiving a foundational education that prepared him for professional and public life.

Erdman pursued higher education at Pennsylvania College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1865. Following his graduation, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He established his legal practice in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he quickly became an active and prominent member of the local bar. His legal abilities and growing reputation in Lehigh County led to his election as district attorney in 1874, marking his entry into public office and formal public service.

In addition to his legal and prosecutorial work, Erdman was involved in the state militia. He served as adjutant of the Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, during the labor unrest and associated riots at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1877. This service placed him in a position of responsibility during a period of significant social and economic tension in the Commonwealth, further broadening his experience in public affairs and administration.

Erdman’s congressional career began with his election as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress, followed by reelection to the Fifty-fourth Congress, serving from 1893 to 1897 as a Representative from Pennsylvania. During this significant period in American history, which encompassed debates over economic policy, labor issues, and monetary standards, he participated in the legislative process and represented the interests of his constituents in the U.S. House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he contributed to the democratic process over his two terms in office. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1896, choosing instead to return to private life.

After leaving Congress, Erdman resumed the practice of law in Allentown, where he continued to be an influential figure in legal and civic circles. He also played a substantial role in local educational and business institutions. He served as a trustee of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, reflecting his ongoing commitment to higher education and the intellectual life of his community. In the business sphere, he was president of the Coplay Cement Manufacturing Company, the Allentown & Coopersburg Turnpike Company, and the Allen Fire Insurance Company for many years, positions that underscored his prominence in regional commercial and infrastructural development.

Constantine Jacob Erdman remained a respected citizen of Allentown until his death there on January 15, 1911. He was interred in Fairview Cemetery in Allentown, Pennsylvania. His career encompassed law, military service in the state National Guard, local prosecution, national legislative service, and leadership in education and business, marking him as a significant figure in the civic and political life of late nineteenth-century Pennsylvania.