Robert Edward Difenderfer (June 7, 1849 – April 25, 1923) was a politician from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 8th district, then composing of Bucks and Montgomery counties, from 1911 to 1914.
Robert Edward Difenderfer | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 8th district | |
| In office March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1915 | |
| Preceded by | Irving P. Wanger |
| Succeeded by | Henry Winfield Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 7, 1849 Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1923 (aged 73) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westminster Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life
editRobert Edward Difenderfer was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and studied dentistry.[1]
Career
editDifenderfer practiced this profession for fourteen years in Lewisburg and Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He built and operated the first woolen mill at Tianjin, China. He returned to the United States in August 1900, where he engaged in the wholesale lumber business and as a contractor at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.[1][2]
Difenderfer was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-second and Sixty-third Congresses. He represented the 8th district, then composing of Bucks and Montgomery counties. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1914, 1916, and 1918.[1][3] He was a member of the foreign affairs and pensions committee and the Army expenditure committee.[4][5] Difenderfer brought an investigation to the house committee on expenditures in the United States Department of War related to the government showing favoritism in awarding shoe contracts.[6] in 1912, Difenderfer asked that Secretary Charles Nagel of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor investigate high coal prices.[7] In 1914, Harry Grim defeated Difenderfer in the Democratic nomination for Congress. Difenderfer challenged the vote count and requested a recount.[8][9] He was succeeded by Henry W. Watson.[10]
He was engaged in the retail confectionery business at Jenkintown.[1]
Personal life
editDifenderfer lived in Ashbourne, Pennsylvania.[7] Difenderfer died on April 25, 1923, at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was interred in Westminster Cemetery.[1][11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Difenderfer, Robert E." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer..." The Montgomery Times. May 16, 1911. p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Democrats Gain Several Congressmen". The Harrisburg Telegraph. November 9, 1910. p. 6. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "House Democrats Adopt A Program". The Morning Call. April 3, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer..." The Central News. June 14, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Attempt to Bribe Congressman's Clerk". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 27, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Congressman Asks Federal Coal Probe". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 1, 1912. p. 16. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grim Beats Diefenderfer". The Morning Call. June 1, 1914. p. 9. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Diefenderfer to Contest Nomination of Harry Grim". The Morning Call. June 19, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "May Launch Watson". The Allentown Leader. August 4, 1917. p. 4. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Robert E. Diefenderfer". Buffalo Morning Express. April 26, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
Sources
edit- United States Congress. "Robert E. Difenderfer (id: D000343)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard
External links
edit
Media related to Robert Edward Difenderfer at Wikimedia Commons- Robert E. Difenderfer at Find a Grave
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