William Beidelman

William Beidelman (1840-1903) was an American politician from the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and saw combat at the Battle of Gettysburg, which was the war's turning point in the Union's favor but also its bloodiest battle.

After the end of the Civil War, Beidelman served in various Northampton County offices prior to his election as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania State Senate. He also served as the second mayor of Easton, Pennsylvania.

Early life and education

Beidelman was born in Lower Saucon Township on January 17, 1840, to Daniel Beidelman and Anna Née Margaret and had a brother, Robert C. Beidelman. Shortly following his birth, the family moved locally to Williams Township, where he was raised. He attended public school and then the New York Conference Seminary prior to attending Troy University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He received a law degree from the Albany Law School.

Union Army

After graduating, Beidelman volunteered for the Union Army on April 18, 1861, and served for nine months in the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry as a Second Lieutenant. He saw combat at the Battle of Aldie, the Mud March, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Gettysburg, and the Battle of Funkstown before he was mustered out of service on July 24, 1863.

Northampton County

After leaving the Union Army, Beidelman served in various positions in the Northampton county government as a Democrat. Including from 1865 to 1867 when he was the county's deputy sheriff. In 1868 he was admitted to the Northampton Bar association as an attorney as well as briefly being editor of the Northampton Democrat. He was elected District Attorney of Northampton County in 1871 and served until 1874.