Person Page - 398

Samuel P. Erdman¹

• Last Edited: 28 Jun 2020

• Samuel P. Erdman was born on 24 January 1857.
• He was the son of Jacob W. Erdman and Catharine Seitz.
• Samuel P. Erdman married Christianna Maurer, daughter of Manassas Daniel Maurer and Elizabeth Coleman, circa 1879, PA.^1,2
• On October 25, 1912, Alexander Klinger pleaded guilty in Dauphin County court to involuntary manslaughter in causing the death of Samuel P. Erdman, in a bar fight in the Erdman Hotel on August 28, 1911. He was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison, but he was released several months early because of good behavior. Reportedly, on his release, Klinger vowed never to touch liquor again.
  Originally, reports of the fight varied, but one newspaper story included witness accounts:
  HOTEL OWNER SAW MURDER
  W. A. Kessler Witnessed Fatal Fight At Erdman
  POLITICS CAUSE OF CRIME
  Both Klinger, the Prisoner, and Erdman, the Victim, Were Candidates for School Director On Same Ticket and In Discussing Their Candidacies Both Men Became Incensed.
  Politics precipitated the fatal fight Saturday evening, August 26, at the Erdman hotel, Erdman, Dauphin county, between Samuel Erdman and Alexander Klinger, two Schuylkill countians. As a result one man is dead, the other in prison and two counties stirred up over the question of ownership of the accused man.
  To-morrow morning at 10 o'clock is the time set for the hearing of Klinger before Squire Tobias Klinger at Gratz. It has been decided to have the hearing up-county because it is easier to take Klinger there than it is to bring the witnesses to Harrisburg. That the fatal blow was struck in self-defense will be the ground on which Klinger's attorneys will make the fight for his life. The true story of the inception of the fight was not learned until to-day. The following version is the one that William A. Kessler, proprietor of the Erdman hotel, will tell and what Klinger's jury will hear:
  Erdman drove up to the hotel early Saturday evening and after purchasing a drink took a seat on the porch, where he was joined fifteen minutes later by Klinger. Their conversation naturally drifted on politics, both being candidates for the Republican nomination for School Director in their township.
  Personalities entered into the political discussion, but neither lost his head. They sat for an hour, then went inside to get a drink. Elbows crooked on the bar, politics were not forgotten; the discussion continued.
  "Oh, well," Klinger was heard to say, "I wouldn't care at all, if you hadn't made me pay that lumber bill twice."
  "I never made you pay a bill twice," Erdman retorted.
  "Whoever says that is a ____ ____ liar.'
  Blow Fell Short.
  No sooner had Klinger ripped out the oath than Erdman, according to the witnesses, made a pass at him. The blow fell short and then Klinger was on Erdman and they rolled to the floor. They were pulled apart. Neither was hurt, though several blows were exchanged. Klinger got on his feet and stood by the bar.
  Looking around a moment later he saw Erdman crawling towards him on the floor, coming on hands and knees. Then Klinger lifted his right foot and delivered a crushing blow on the crawling man's right shoulder, caving it in.
  Death occurred the ensuing Tuesday night from congestion of the lungs. How Klinger fled, putting the brand of guilt on himself, remained at his brother's in Shamokin and several days later gave himself up, has already been told. Klinger's defense, it is understood, will be that he thought Erdman was coming to attack him again and that he kicked him to save himself.
  Edward E. Beidleman up until 2 o'clock this afternoon, had not been retained as counsel for Klinger, though the arrested man had sent for him. Later Mr. Beidleman called on Klinger. The trial will take place in Dauphin county, though it is hardly likely that it will be held next September, as there are already four murder cases listed. A Coroner's jury yesterday rendered a verdict that Erdman came to his death from a blow or blows received at the hands of Klinger.
  Harrisburg Daily Independent, 05 Sep 1911, Tue, Pages 1, 7
  Klinger was eventually charged with murder but, as noted, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. In jail while awaiting trial, Klinger attempted suicide by cutting his wrists with pieces of a broken mirror, but the cuts did not prove serious.
  Both Klinger and Erdman were residents of Schuylkill County, and Erdman actually died there, but the fight causing the fatal injuries occurred in Dauphin County. This led to a jurisdictional squabble between the two counties, as neither county wanted to be charged with handling the matter. As one newspaper article explained:
  A nice question of law enters into the controversy. Section 48 of the Penal Code provides that "to obviate any difficulty as to where the alleging of a crime takes place" each county shall have jurisdiction 500 yards on the opposite side of the boundary line. That is, any felony committed within 500 yards of a county line, that county has the power of calling the criminal to account.
  "It is a fact that the Erdman hotel, where the fight took place, is about 200 yards from the Schuylkill county line, being situated in Dauphin county." Officials from both counties argued that the other should try the case. Eventually, the matter was taken over by Dauphin County.^{3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10}
• Samuel P. Erdman died on 29 August 1911, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 54.^11,12
• He was buried on 3 September 1911, at St. Michael's Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^13,1,14

• Father*: Jacob W. Erdman b. 18 Apr 1819, d. 6 Oct 1873
• Mother*: Catharine Seitz b. 3 Apr 1829, d. 17 May 1907

Christianna Maurer¹

Christiana (Maurer) and Samuel Edman Family

• Last Edited: 22 Jan 2021

• Christianna Maurer was born on 27 November 1859.
• She was the daughter of Manassas Daniel Maurer and Elizabeth Coleman.
• Christianna Maurer was baptized on 5 February 1860, St Paul's (Artz's) Church, Sacramento, Schuylkill County, PA.¹
• She married Samuel P. Erdman, son of Jacob W. Erdman and Catharine Seitz, circa 1879, PA.^1,2
• Christianna Maurer died on 5 June 1911, at age 51.^3,4
• She was buried at St. Michael's Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,4

• Father*: Manassas Daniel Maurer b. 17 Dec 1826, d. 4 Oct 1882
• Mother*: Elizabeth Coleman b. 10 Apr 1828, d. 24 Feb 1898

Jacob W. Erdman

• Last Edited: 31 Dec 2020

• Jacob W. Erdman was born on 18 April 1819, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA.²
• He was the son of Johann Georg Erdman and Anna Catharina Schneider.¹
• Jacob W. Erdman married Catharine Seitz in 1848.^3,2
• Jacob W. Erdman died on 6 October 1873, at age 54.²
• He was buried at Salem (Herb's) United Church of Christ Cemetery, Rough and Ready, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Johann Georg Erdman¹ b. 4 Feb 1787, d. 5 Aug 1858
• Mother*: Anna Catharina Schneider¹ b. 6 Jul 1792, d. 20 Aug 1842

Catharine Seitz

• Last Edited: 31 Dec 2020

• Catharine Seitz was born on 3 April 1829, Schuylkill County, PA.¹
• She married Jacob W. Erdman, son of Johann Georg Erdman and Anna Catharina Schneider, in 1848.^2,3
• Catharine Seitz died on 17 May 1907, Hegins Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 78.¹
• She was buried at Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Rough and Ready, Schuylkill County, PA.¹

Manassas Daniel Maurer¹

• Last Edited: 28 Jun 2020

• Manassas Daniel Maurer is also referred to as Manase Maurer in some sources.²
• He was born on 17 December 1826.³
• He was the son of Abraham Maurer and Maria Shadle.
• Some sources record that Manassas Daniel Maurer was born on 22 December 1826, Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin County, PA.^2,1
• He was baptized on 29 April 1827, Zion (Klinger's) Church, Erdman, Dauphin County, PA.²
• He married Elizabeth Coleman, daughter of Johann Peter Coleman and Elizabeth Artz, circa 1851.³
• Manassas Daniel Maurer died on 4 October 1882, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 55.^3,1
• He was buried at Zion (Klinger's) Church Cemetery, Erdman, Dauphin County, PA.⁴

• Father*: Abraham Maurer b. 16 Dec 1798, d. 14 Mar 1845
• Mother*: Maria Shadle b. 24 May 1804, d. 24 Sep 1853

Elizabeth Coleman

• Last Edited: 24 Jun 2022

• Elizabeth Coleman is also referred to as Elizabeth Coleman in some sources.
• She was born on 10 April 1828.¹
• She was the daughter of Johann Peter Coleman and Elizabeth Artz.
• Elizabeth Coleman married Manassas Daniel Maurer, son of Abraham Maurer and Maria Shadle, circa 1851.¹
• Elizabeth Coleman married an unknown person after 1883.¹
• She married Isaac Monroe Rothermel, son of Abraham M. Rothermel and Catharine Yeager, on 29 January 1891, Northumberland County, PA.^2,3
• Elizabeth Coleman died on 24 February 1898, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 69.^1,2
• She was buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Erdman, Dauphin County, PA.^2,4

• Father*: Johann Peter Coleman b. 25 Jul 1799, d. 26 Aug 1855
• Mother*: Elizabeth Artz b. 18 Aug 1799, d. 11 May 1866

Ira Irvin Erdman

• Last Edited: 18 May 2022

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Ira Irvin Erdman is also referred to as Irvin Ira Erdman in some sources.¹
• He was born on 12 December 1881, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,3
• He was the son of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger.
• Ira Irvin Erdman married Mary Alta Boyer, daughter of John D. Boyer and Mary Schartel, on 15 November 1902, Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,4,1
• Ira Irvin Erdman married Amanda B. Fessler, daughter of George Fessler, on 28 May 1908, Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^4,1
• Ira Irvin Erdman died on 2 March 1936, Hegins Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 54.⁵
• Newspaper obituary:
  IRA ERDMAN
  Ira Erdman died at his home in Valley View Monday evening at the age of 45 years. He was a native of Klingerstown, a son of Jacob and Christina Erdman. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen Lodges.
  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Amanda Erdman and two daughters, Mrs. Harold Greenwood of Mill Creek Manor and Mrs. Harry Haas of Klingerstown, both children of a former marriage. Other survivors are five brothers and a sister, John Erdman, Valley View; Mrs. Walter Davis, Miles Erdman and William Ertlman of Klingerstown; Leo Erdman, Ashland and Abel Erdman of Trevorton.
  Funeral services will be held from the residence Friday morning and interment will be made in Frieden's church cemetery at Hegins.
  Elizabethville Echo (Elizabethville, Pennsylvania), 05 Mar 1936, Thu, Page 4.⁶
  
• He was buried on 6 March 1936, at Friedens Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.⁵

• Father*: Jacob Joseph Erdman b. 2 Jun 1859, d. 11 Dec 1899
• Mother*: Christiana Klinger b. 9 Jul 1861, d. 20 Jun 1932

Mary Alta Boyer

• Last Edited: 18 May 2022

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Mary Alta Boyer was born on 19 December 1881, Dauphin County, PA.^1,2
• She was the daughter of John D. Boyer and Mary Schartel.
• Mary Alta Boyer married Ira Irvin Erdman, son of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger, on 15 November 1902, Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,3,4
• Mary Alta Boyer died on 7 October 1907, Upper Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 25.^1,2
• She was buried on 10 October 1907, at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^5,2

• Father*: John D. Boyer b. c 1847, d. 9 Mar 1901
• Mother*: Mary Schartel b. c 1854, d. b 1900

Otis Oliver Erdman

• Last Edited: 2 Jan 2021

• Otis Oliver Erdman was born on 21 July 1880.^1,2,3
• He was the son of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger.
• Otis Oliver Erdman married Edna Regina Bowman, daughter of William M. Bowman and Catherine Elizabeth Maurer, in 1918.⁴
• Otis Oliver Erdman died on 23 March 1931, Jordan Township, Northumberland County, PA, at age 50; Cause of death: suicide by hanging self from rafter in barn.^5,6
• Newspaper obituary:
  KLINGERSTOWN MAN WILL BE BURIED TODAY
  Otis Oliver Eardman, age 50 years 8 months and 2 days, was found dead in the barn of his farm home, Pillow, R. D., near Klingerstown about six o'clock, Monday morning, March 23rd. Although residing in that community for a number of years, Mr. Eardinan had removed to Shamokin but had returned to the Klingerstown community about year ago.
  He was born July 21 1880 and married Miss Edna Bowman of Klin gerstown and is survived by his mother, Mrs. Christiana Eardman; his wife, one son, Rue, at home; six brothers and one sister.
  Funeral services will be held from the residence at 10:00 o'clock this Thursday morning. Rev. D. E. Fetterolf pastor of the Line Mountain Lutheran Charge will officiate and burial will be made in the Klingerstown cemetery.
  Elizabethville Echo (Elizabethville, Pennsylvania), 26 Mar 1931, Thu, Page 2.³
  
• He was buried on 26 March 1931, at Saint Michaels Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^6,7

• Father*: Jacob Joseph Erdman b. 2 Jun 1859, d. 11 Dec 1899
• Mother*: Christiana Klinger b. 9 Jul 1861, d. 20 Jun 1932

Miles Monroe Erdman

• Last Edited: 13 Jan 2021

• Miles Monroe Erdman was born on 13 February 1898, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.¹
• He was the son of Jacob Joseph Erdman and Christiana Klinger.
• Miles Monroe Erdman was baptized on 8 April 1898, St. Michael's Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.²
• He married Mabel Ellen Heim, daughter of Samuel P. Heim and Mary Mauser.^3,4
• Miles Monroe Erdman died on 14 May 1940, Upper Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County, PA, at age 42; Newspaper account:
  Rural Resident Takes Own Life
  Miles Monroe Erdman, 42, of Upper Mahanoy Township, was found dead early today at the family home, a victim of hanging at his own hand.
  His body was discovered at four a.m. by a son.
  The man had taken a rope, tied one end of it around his neck and the other about a bannister of a stairway.
  Northumberland County Coroner Sidney Kallaway who was notified and opened an investigation said Erdman had been in ill health for some time.
  Immediate survivors include a widow and seven children.
  Mount Carmel Item (Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania), 14 May 1940, Tue, Page 11.^5,6,7,1
• Newspaper obituary:
  MILES M. ERDMAN
  Miles M. Erdman, age 42 years died at his home, Klingerstown, R. D., early Tuesday. He had engaged in the carpenter trade and was an assistant mail carrier.
  Survivors are his wife and the following children, Helen, Lena, Earl, Ruth, Walter, Ruby, and Gloria, all at home; a sister, Mrs. Walter Davis of Klingeistown, and three brothers, Leo Erdman, of Ashland, R. D; William Erdman of Klingerstown R. D and Abel Erdman of Shainokin R. D.
  Funeral services will be held from the residence Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, with further services in the Klingerstown Church. Rev. Samuel Stauffer, pastor of the Lutheran Parish will officiate, and interment will be made in the cemetery adjoining the church.
  Elizabethville Echo (Elizabethville, Pennsylvania), 16 May 1940, Thu, Page 1.⁸
  
• He was buried on 17 May 1940, at Saint Michaels Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^9,8

• Father*: Jacob Joseph Erdman b. 2 Jun 1859, d. 11 Dec 1899
• Mother*: Christiana Klinger b. 9 Jul 1861, d. 20 Jun 1932

John D. Boyer

• Last Edited: 18 May 2022

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• John D. Boyer is also referred to as John T. Boyer in some sources.
• He was born circa 1847.²
• He was the son of Isaac Boyer and Caroline Deppen.¹
• John D. Boyer married Mary Schartel, daughter of William W. Schartel and Jestina Wiest.³
• John D. Boyer died on 9 March 1901.¹

• Father*: Isaac Boyer¹ b. 23 Mar 1818, d. 30 Jul 1901
• Mother*: Caroline Deppen¹ b. 6 Jan 1822, d. 15 Feb 1881

Helen Laurette Erdman

• Last Edited: 1 Jan 2021

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Helen Laurette Erdman was born on 6 April 1903, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2
• She was the daughter of Ira Irvin Erdman and Mary Alta Boyer.
• Helen Laurette Erdman married Harry C. Haas, son of Simon P. Haas and Emma Seiler, on 6 June 1921.³
• Helen Laurette Erdman died on 25 January 1990, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Montour County, PA, at age 86.²
• Newspaper obituary:
  Helen L. Haas, 86
  KLINGERSTOWN - Helen L. Haas, 86, Klingerstown RD1, died Thursday morning, Jan. 25, 1990, in the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where she had been a patient since Monday.
  Born in Klingerstown April 6, 1903, she was a daughter of the late Irvin Ira and Mary (Boyer) Erdman. Her husband, Harry C. Haas, died April 1.
  She taught in the Upper Mahantango Township schools for many years. She was last employed as a cook at Reed's Inn, Gratz, until retiring in 1965. She also served as a local registrar of vital statistics for many years.
  Mrs. Haas was a member of Salem United Church of Christ Church, Klingerstown RD1, where she. was a former choir member and Sunday school teacher for many years. She also was a member of the Ladies Guild of the church.
  She is survived by two sons, Donald E. and Harry A. Jr., both of Klingerstown RD1; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
  She was preceded in death by a sister and an infant brother.
  The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Salem United Church of Christ Church, Klingerstown RD1, by the Revs. Bruce and Bonnie Dalious. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
  Visitors may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and after 10 a.m. Monday in the church. Contributions may be made to the Salem Church Memorial Fund, Klingerstown RD1.
  Funeral arrangements were made by the Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown RD1.
  The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 26 Jan 1990, Fri, Page 6.²
  
• She was buried on 29 January 1990, at Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery, Rough and Rerady, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Ira Irvin Erdman b. 12 Dec 1881, d. 2 Mar 1936
• Mother*: Mary Alta Boyer b. 19 Dec 1881, d. 7 Oct 1907

Sadie Ruth Erdman

• Last Edited: 1 Jan 2021

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Sadie Ruth Erdman was born on 15 May 1905.¹
• She was the daughter of Ira Irvin Erdman and Mary Alta Boyer.
• Sadie Ruth Erdman was baptized on 6 August 1905, Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.²
• She married Howard J. Greenwood, son of Ernest Greenwood and Sylvia Sawyer.³
• Sadie Ruth Erdman married Walter Franklin Umholtz, son of William P. Umholtz and Catherine M. Thomas, on 12 February 1960, Salem Lutheran Church, Elizabethville, Dauphin County, PA.⁴
• Sadie Ruth Erdman died in January 1985, at age 79.^5,6

• Father*: Ira Irvin Erdman b. 12 Dec 1881, d. 2 Mar 1936
• Mother*: Mary Alta Boyer b. 19 Dec 1881, d. 7 Oct 1907

Nevin Jacob Erdman

• Last Edited: 1 Dec 2016

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Nevin Jacob Erdman was born on 16 July 1907.
• He was the son of Ira Irvin Erdman and Mary Alta Boyer.
• Nevin Jacob Erdman died on 6 October 1907.¹
• He was buried at Saint Michaels Lutheran Church Cemetery, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Ira Irvin Erdman b. 12 Dec 1881, d. 2 Mar 1936
• Mother*: Mary Alta Boyer b. 19 Dec 1881, d. 7 Oct 1907