Enos Erdman, the late president of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, was one of the best representative men of the county in all its varied interests. Born April 16, 1822, in Upper Saucon township, the oldest son of Hon. Jacob Erdman, he was the proper representative of his family, whose history from the early settlement of the township is sketched elsewhere in this work. Industry, integrity, energy, a spirit of social, business, and public enterprise, a large and fine physique were the prominent characteristics by which he was known. Primarily a farmer, he took a thorough and practical interest in agriculture, holding the position of president of the agricultural society for the last twelve years of his life. He also engaged in mining and manufacturing, was a bank director, and was frequently selected to manage important private trusts. He was one of the projectors of the Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike, and was president of the turnpike company from its beginning to the time of his death. Like his father, whose efforts in the Legislature in behalf of the public school system were recognized as largely effective of its adoption in Pennsylvania, he fostered educational institutions, public and private, and was at one time a trustee of Muhlenberg College. In comparatively early life he was captain of a cavalry company— the Saucon Troop— in the volunteer military service. Ardent and influential in politics, he never sought for any office of emolument, but was often given places of distinction. He was a prominent Odd-Fellow, Mason, and Knight Templar, and was one of the founders of the lodge of A.F.M., at Coopersburg. He died on March 22, 1884, at his home at Centre Valley, while yet in the full prime of lite, and was buried under the same monument with his father at Woodland Cemetery, at St. Paul’s Church (Blue Church), of whose Lutheran congregation he was a member, it being the same church and burial-place where his ancestors worshiped and were buried during nearly a century and a half preceding his death. His widow, Ann, a daughter of Solomon Keck, of Salisbury township, and three sons, C.J. Erdman, Esq. (of Allentown, a prominent member of the Lehigh County bar), Preston K. Erdman, Esq. (a member of the Philadelphia bar), and Dr. Frank C. Erdman.
Enos Erdman, the late president of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society, was one of the best representative men of the county in all its varied interests. Born April 16, 1822, in Upper Saucon township, the oldest son of Hon. Jacob Erdman, he was the proper representative of his family, whose history from the early settlement of the township is sketched elsewhere in this work. Industry, integrity, energy, a spirit of social, business, and public enterprise, a large and fine physique were the prominent characteristics by which he was known. Primarily a farmer, he took a thorough and practical interest in agriculture, holding the position of president of the agricultural society for the last twelve years of his life. He also engaged in mining and manufacturing, was a bank director, and was frequently selected to manage important private trusts. He was one of the projectors of the Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike, and was president of the turnpike company from its beginning to the time of his death. Like his father, whose efforts in the Legislature in behalf of the public school system were recognized as largely effective of its adoption in Pennsylvania, he fostered educational institutions, public and private, and was at one time a trustee of Muhlenberg College. In comparatively early life he was captain of a cavalry company— the Saucon Troop— in the volunteer military service. Ardent and influential in politics, he never sought for any office of emolument, but was often given places of distinction. He was a prominent Odd-Fellow, Mason, and Knight Templar, and was one of the founders of the lodge of A.F.M., at Coopersburg. He died on March 22, 1884, at his home at Centre Valley, while yet in the full prime of lite, and was buried under the same monument with his father at Woodland Cemetery, at St. Paul’s Church (Blue Church), of whose Lutheran congregation he was a member, it being the same church and burial-place where his ancestors worshiped and were buried during nearly a century and a half preceding his death. His widow, Ann, a daughter of Solomon Keck, of Salisbury township, and three sons, C.J. Erdman, Esq. (of Allentown, a prominent member of the Lehigh County bar), Preston K. Erdman, Esq. (a member of the Philadelphia bar), and Dr. Frank C. Erdman.
Family Members
Siblings
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