SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Albert Erdman, Page 433

ALBERT ERDMAN, a highly respected and well-known citizen of Mosel Township, was born November 13, 1839, being the elder of two children, whose parents were Christian and Eliza Erdman.  His birthplace was in Schwartzburg, Germany, in the province of Saxony.  He received a good education in his native language and was reared to a useful and industrious life.

    When twenty-five years of age, Mr. Erdman set sail for America with his young wife, leaving Hamburg in 1865.  On arriving in New York City, he at once turned his face Westward and came direct to Sheboygan County.  He purchased eighty acres of partly improved land, paying for it at the rate of $25 per acre.  His farm is now all well improved and is thriftily and carefully kept.

    As previously stated, Mr. Erdman was married in his native land, the ceremony being performed January 9, 1865.  His wife was of German birth and was born in December, 1842.  They have become the parents of seven children, as follows:  Rieke, the wife of Valentine Wilbert, who is engaged in the carpenter trade in Mosel Township; William, who is represented elsewhere in this work; August, a cheese-maker by occupation, who lives in Manitowoc County; Charles, who also follows the same calling, and is married and resides with his father, and who soon intends to open a summer hotel; Laura and Selma, who are twins, the latter being the wife of William Blanke, a blacksmith of Sheboygan; and Herman, who lives with his parents.

    The first Presidential vote of Mr. Erdman was deposited for Gen. Grant, but since that election he has voted with the Democratic party.  He has served as Town Clerk, and has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for about fifteen years.  In educational matters he has always been interested, having been Clerk of the School Board for many years.  He and his worthy wife are consistent members of the German Lutheran Church, in the faith of which they were reared from childhood.  Socially, our subject is a member of the Sons of Herman, and belongs to the Order of United Workmen.  He is much respected by his friends and neighbors and is a worthy citizen of his adopted country.