Came to America on the ship Samuel arriving Aug. 11, 1732.8 Will probated 10 Apr 1795 in Upper Saucon, Northampton Co., Penna.56
ERDMAN FAMILY
From: History Of Lehigh County, Vol 1, 2, & 3.
John Erdman, of Pfungstadt, Hesse Darmstadt, German, emigrated to America upon the ship St. Andrew Gaily, which arrived at Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1737. Prior to 1750, this pioneer had settled upon a large tract of land located near Center Valley, in Upper Saucon township, Lehigh county. The Erdman homesteald remained in the family for many generations, and there he died before 1760. His widow, Anna Catharine, was born in 1682; died Oct. 29, 1760, aged 78 years.
Their son, Andreas Erdman, was twice married. His first wife was Anna Dorothea, who was born October, 1726, died Jan. 5, 1753. He married second, August 5, 1753, Anna Margaretha Frederick. His children were: (l) John; (2) Abraham; (3) Andrew; (4) Jacob, b. March 14, 1750, d. Feb. 21, 1753; (5) John George, b. April 22, 1754; (6) Yost; (7) Catharine, b. Feb. 14, 1748; (8) Sybilla; and (9) Anna Margaretha.
Abraham (2) removed to Westmoreland county, Pa., at an early day, and his descendants are lost sight of. Andrew (3) and Yost (6) settled in Hilltown, Bucks county, Pa., and they are the ancestors of many of the name now residing in that county. John George (5) settled in Upper Saucon, and had two sons, John and Jacob, the latter named being the father of Jacob H., of Emaus; Charles H. and Elias H. Erdman, of Upper Saucon. Catharine married Jacob Barihart; Sybilla married Henry Bitz, and removed to Lower Mount Bethel, Pa.; Anna Margaret married George Sober, who with the family of Jacob Barnhart also settled in Westmoreland county.
Jacob Erdman (4), son of Andreas and Anna Maria (Frederick) Erdman, was born August 15, 1763; died April 30, 1819. He married Catharine Rornig, born March 19, 1774) died May 15, 1856, and settled on the old Erdman homestead, and they were the parents of eight children: Jacob ( l ), of whom below; Isare (2) ; Aaron (3); John (4); Elizabeth (5); Catharine (6) ; Theresa (7) ; and Judith (8). Isare (2) married Catharine Gangware; their daughter married Alfred J. Breinig, of Allentown; Aaron (3) married (first) Anna Breinig, and (second) Maria Weider. He resided at Mac;ngie John (4) married Hannah Keck, of whom elsewhere. Elizabeth (5) married Ehr- hard Weaver, and was the grandmother of Victor B. Weaver, of Coopersburg, Pa., and John B. Weaver, of Center Valley; Catharine (6) married Solomon Reichard, no issue. Judith (8) married John G. Brunner. ( i ) Hon. Jacob Erdman, eldest son of Jacob (4) and Catharine (Rornig) Erdman, succeeded to the old homestead. He was a prominent and influential citizen, and represented his district in the Twenty-ninth Congress of the United States from 1845 to 1847- His efforts in the Legislature in behalf of the public school system were recognized as largely effective of Its adoption in Pennsylvania. Hon. Jacob Erdman married Sarah Hartzel, Catherine (Rornig) Erdman, had children, viz: (i) Enos, of whom below; (2) Addison; (3) Charles; (4) Jacob; (5) Rebecca; (6) Eliza; (7) Maria; (8) Sarah; (9) Belinda; (io) Adaline. Addison Erdman, the second son of Hon. Jacob and Sarah (Hartzel) Erdman, born about 1824, married Mary Fogel; they had Enos F. and Annie Erdman. Charles (3) and Jacob (4) died in youth; Rebecca (5) married Charles W. Cooper, of Allentown, and after her death he married. her sister, Sarah (8). Eliza (6) married Henry S. Cope, of Sellersville, Maria (7) and Belinda (9) unmarried; Adaline (io) married Dr. J. A. Laros, of Coopersburg. Enos Erdman, the eldest son of Hon. Jacob and Sarah (Hartzel) Erdman, was born April 16, 1822, in Upper Saucon township. He was one of the most representative men of the county, in all its varied interests. Industry, integrity, energy, a spirit of social, business and public enterprise, together with 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 Lehigh county Agricultural Society for the last twelve years of his life. He also engaged in mining and manufacturing; was a bank director, and was often selected to manage important private trusts. He was one of the projectors of the Allentown and Coopersburg turnpike, and was president of that company continuously until his death. He fostered educational institutions, public and private, and was once a trustee of Muhlenberg College. In quite 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 any office of emolument, but was often given places of distinction. He was a prominent 0t.'d Fellow, Mason, and Knight Templar, and was one of the founders of F. & A. M. lodge at Coopersburg. He died March 22, 1884, at his home at Center Valley, while yet in the full prime of life and was interred under the same monumerit as his father, in Woodland cemetery, at St. Paul's church (Blue church), where he was a member of the Lutheran congregation, it being the same church and burial place where his ancestors had worshipped and were buried during a century and a half preceding his death. Enos Erdman was married to Annie Keck, daughter of Solomon Keck, of Salisbury township ; she survived him. They had children, viz.: Preston K. Erdman, a member of the Philadelphia bar; Dr. Frank C. Erdman, of Center Valley; and the Hon. Constantine Jacob Erdman, of whom below.173 |