Pennsylvania schoolmaster and US Congressman Andrew R. Brodbeck

In our nation’s history many a successful schoolmaster also made a name for himself in the political realm. One of these was Andrew R. Brodbeck, an educator from Pennsylvania who also became a member of the US House of Representatives.

Andrew was born April 11, 1860, in Jefferson, Pennsylvania. The country was just at the brink of the Civil War. As a young man, Andrew first attended and then taught in the public schools of his native York County. His career as an educator there was short, spanning the years of 1878 to 1880.

In 1880 Andrew moved to Hanover, Pennsylvania, an agricultural borough located 19 miles southwest of York and 54 miles north-northwest of Baltimore, Maryland, and five miles north of the Mason-Dixon line. In Hanover Andrew established himself in a business that sold farm implements and fertilizer. During his years there, the former teacher served as a member of the board of directors of various business enterprises. Andrew’s career as an entrepeneur lasted until 1896, when he left the business to accept a position as the sheriff of York County. He served in that position until 1899.

Andrew was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent Pennsylvania’s 20th District in the 63rd Congress. After he served his term, he was voted out of office, but in 1918 he was re-elected to serve a second term in the 65th Congress. In 1920, Andrew further served his constituents as a delegate at large at the 1920 Democratic National Convention.

Andrew passed away on February 27, 1937, in Hanover. He was 76 years old. The former educator and politician was interred in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carverton, Pennsylvania.

To view this chalkboard champion’s page on the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, click on this link: .