Robert E. Difenderfer

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Robert Edward Difenderfer

| image = R.E. Diefenderfer LCCN2014686243 (cropped).jpg

| caption =

| state = Pennsylvania

| district = 8th

| term_start = March 4, 1911

| term_end = March 3, 1915

| preceded = Irving P. Wanger

| succeeded = Henry Winfield Watson

| birth_date = {{birth date|1849|06|07}}

| birth_place = Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1923|04|25|1849|06|07}}

| 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.{{Cite web |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/D000343 |title=Difenderfer, Robert E. |work=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2023-04-29}}

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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-times-congressman-robert/123725857/ |title=Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer... |date=1911-05-16 |newspaper=The Montgomery Times |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}}

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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/harrisburg-telegraph-democrats-gain-seve/123725284/ |title=Democrats Gain Several Congressmen |date=1910-11-09 |newspaper=The Harrisburg Telegraph |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}} He was a member of the foreign affairs and pensions committee and the Army expenditure committee.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-house-democrats-adopt-a/123725336/ |title=House Democrats Adopt A Program |date=1911-04-03 |newspaper=The Morning Call |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-news-congressman-robert-e-d/123725395/ |title=Congressman Robert E. Diefenderfer... |date=1911-06-14 |newspaper=The Central News |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}} 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-attempt-to-bri/123725428/ |title=Attempt to Bribe Congressman's Clerk |date=1911-06-27 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}} in 1912, Difenderfer asked that Secretary Charles Nagel of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor investigate high coal prices.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-congressman-as/123725523/ |title=Congressman Asks Federal Coal Probe |date=1912-06-01 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}} In 1914, Harry Grim defeated Difenderfer in the Democratic nomination for Congress. Difenderfer challenged the vote count and requested a recount.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-grim-beats-diefenderfer/123725620/ |title=Grim Beats Diefenderfer |date=1914-06-01 |newspaper=The Morning Call |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-diefenderfer-to-contest/123725636/ |title=Diefenderfer to Contest Nomination of Harry Grim |date=1914-06-19 |newspaper=The Morning Call |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}} He was succeeded by Henry W. Watson.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-allentown-leader-may-launch-watson-b/123725671/ |title=May Launch Watson |date=1917-08-04 |newspaper=The Allentown Leader |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}}

He was engaged in the retail confectionery business at Jenkintown.

Personal life

Difenderfer lived in Ashbourne, Pennsylvania. Difenderfer died on April 25, 1923, at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was interred in Westminster Cemetery.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-morning-express-robert-e-diefen/123725773/ |title=Robert E. Diefenderfer |date=1923-04-26 |newspaper=Buffalo Morning Express |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-04-29}}{{Open access}}