Representative Edward Danner Ziegler

Edward Danner Ziegler (March 3, 1844 – December 21, 1931) was an American politician and lawyer who served a single term in the United States House of Representatives, representing the 19th congressional district of Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1901 as a Democrat in the Fifty-sixth United States Congress. His congressional service took place during a significant period in American history at the turn of the twentieth century, during which he participated in the legislative process and represented the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents.

Ziegler was born in Bedford, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on March 3, 1844. Little is recorded in the public record about his early family life, but his subsequent academic and professional achievements indicate an early commitment to education and public service. He pursued higher education at Pennsylvania College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (later known as Gettysburg College), from which he graduated in 1865, at the close of the Civil War era.

After completing his college education, Ziegler was engaged in teaching at the York County Academy in York, Pennsylvania. While employed as an educator, he undertook the study of law, preparing for a legal career that would form the foundation of his later public service. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 and commenced the practice of law in York, Pennsylvania, establishing himself in the local legal community.

Ziegler’s early public career developed through a series of county-level positions in York County. He served as commissioner’s clerk in 1871 and 1872, a role that provided him with administrative and governmental experience. He also served as counsel to the board of commissioners, advising county officials on legal matters. Building on this experience, Ziegler was elected district attorney of York County and held that office from 1881 to 1883, prosecuting criminal cases and further enhancing his reputation as a lawyer. His standing within the Democratic Party was reflected in his selection as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1884, where he participated in the party’s national deliberations.

In national politics, Ziegler was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 19th congressional district, serving in the Fifty-sixth Congress. His term in office began on March 4, 1899, and concluded on March 3, 1901. As a member of the Democratic Party representing Pennsylvania, he contributed to the legislative process during his single term in Congress, participating in the democratic process and advocating for the interests of his district during a period marked by issues of industrial growth, economic change, and the aftermath of the Spanish–American War. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1900 and thus did not return to Congress after his first term.

Following his tenure in Congress, Ziegler resumed the practice of law in York, continuing the legal career that had preceded his time in Washington. His expertise and experience led to further public responsibilities at the county level. He was appointed by the judge of the court of common pleas of York County to serve as auditor of the offices of prothonotary, register of wills, clerk of the court, treasurer, and recorder of York County. In this capacity, which he held from 1923 to 1925, he was responsible for examining and overseeing the financial and administrative records of these key county offices, reflecting the continued confidence placed in his judgment and integrity.

Ziegler continued in active legal practice in York, Pennsylvania, well into his later years. He died in York on December 21, 1931, at the age of 87. He was interred in Prospect Hill Cemetery in York, Pennsylvania. His long career as an attorney, local official, party delegate, and one-term member of the United States House of Representatives marked him as a notable figure in the civic and political life of York County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.