Robert E. Difenderfer Explained

Robert Edward Difenderfer
State:Pennsylvania
District:8th
Term Start:March 4, 1911
Term End:March 3, 1915
Preceded:Irving P. Wanger
Succeeded:Henry Winfield Watson
Birth Date:7 June 1849
Birth Place:Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting Place:Westminster Cemetery
Party:Democratic
Occupation:Politician

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.

Early life

Robert Edward Difenderfer was born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and studied dentistry.[1]

Career

Difenderfer 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

Difenderfer 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]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Difenderfer, Robert E. . . 2023-04-29.
  2. News: Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer... . 1911-05-16 . The Montgomery Times . 4 . . 2023-04-29.
  3. News: Democrats Gain Several Congressmen . 1910-11-09 . The Harrisburg Telegraph . 6 . . 2023-04-29.
  4. News: House Democrats Adopt A Program . 1911-04-03 . The Morning Call . 1 . . 2023-04-29.
  5. News: Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer... . 1911-06-14 . The Central News . 7 . . 2023-04-29.
  6. News: Attempt to Bribe Congressman's Clerk . 1911-06-27 . . 1 . . 2023-04-29.
  7. News: Congressman Asks Federal Coal Probe . 1912-06-01 . . 16 . . 2023-04-29.
  8. News: Grim Beats Diefenderfer . 1914-06-01 . The Morning Call . 9 . . 2023-04-29.
  9. News: Diefenderfer to Contest Nomination of Harry Grim . 1914-06-19 . The Morning Call . 1 . . 2023-04-29.
  10. News: May Launch Watson . 1917-08-04 . The Allentown Leader . 4 . . 2023-04-29.
  11. News: Robert E. Diefenderfer . 1923-04-26 . Buffalo Morning Express . 2 . . 2023-04-29.