Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: ERDMAN, Otto A. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 379-380


OTTO A. ERDMAN.

	Otto A. Erdman, an attorney engaged in the general practice of 
law in Denver, yet specializing to some extent in corporation practice, 
was born in Jackson county, Iowa. November 28, 1859. His father, 
Frederick C. Erdman, was a native of Germany and came to the new world 
in 1852, while four years later he took up his abode in Jackson county, 
Iowa, and subsequently he removed to Jones county, that state. While 
there residing he served as postmaster of Oxford Junction under 
President Grant and also conducted a general store. He was a member of 
the Home Guard during the Civil war. He died in Denver in June, 1901, 
and his remains were laid to rest in Fairmount cemetery. His wife, who 
bore the maiden name of Wilhelmine Sonneman, was also born in Germany 
and is now living in Denver. They were the parents of eight children, 
four of whom survive.

	Otto A. Erdman acquired his education in the schools of Jackson 
county, Iowa, and in young manhood took up the profession of teaching 
in his native state. In 1876 the family removed to Greene county, Iowa, 
and he taught there for several years. On the 3d of September, 1881, 
however, he arrived in Colorado and was joined by the other members of 
the family in 1888. Before leaving his native state, however, he had 
entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Adel, 
Dallas county, Iowa, in 1879. He then practiced for about two years in 
Iowa but on account of ill health removed to Colorado and lived a life 
in the open for five years. He engaged in outdoor work and thus greatly 
benefited his health. For seven years he conducted a real 
estate'business, examined titles and did other work of that character. 
In 1894 he resumed the active practice of law, in which he has since 
engaged. He had followed his profession in Iowa as a partner of A. A. 
Kearney, but since coming to Denver he has practiced alone, giving his 
attention to general law practice and also to corporation law. His 
professional standing is enviable. He has ever been careful to conform 
his practice to high ethical standards and his marked ability is 
manifest in the clear and forceful presentation of his cause before the 
court.

	On the 20th of May, 1885. Mr. Erdman was united in marriage to 
Miss May Cummings, a native of Illinois and a daughter of the Rev. 
George Cummings, a Baptist minister. He belongs to Union Lodge, No. 7, 
A. F. & A. M., of Denver, and he has membership in the Denver Motor 
Club. He also belongs to the First Avenue Presbyterian church, of which 
he has been an elder for twenty years, and he has been very active in 
Sunday school work, serving as president of the Denver Sunday School 
Association for two years. He was also president of the Nevada State 
Sunday School Association for an equal length of time and he was a 
member of the executive committee of the National Sunday School 
Association from 1908 until 1911. He has been chairman of the Christian 
Citizenship Committee and active in city and county campaigns for moral 
progress. He was also a member of the first charter convention and he 
stands at all times for those interests which promote general progress.