Company and as a member of the boards of directors for the Philadelphia Rapid Transit, the Columbia Avenue Trust Company, and the Quaker City Trust. He was a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, the Columbia Club, the Five O'Clock Club of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Bourse, and the Manhattan Club of New York. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a thirty-second degree Mason. In 1895, he purchased the summer home of Charles Macalester in the Torresdale neighborhood of Philadelphia. The estate, previously named Glengarry, was renamed it Glen Foerd. Political career He was elected in 1900 as a Republican to the 57th United States Congress as a representative for Pennsylvania's at-large congressional district. He served on the committees for banking and currency, enrolled bills and ventilation and acoustics. He was re-elected in 1902 for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district and served until his death in 1903. Death and legacy Foederer died in 1903 while in office at his home in Torresdale. He was interred in Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery. It is possible that he died from chromate poisoning from his years handling chromium for his chrome tanning technique although the cause of death was listed as Bright's disease. Foerderer's son, Percival took over management of the leather goods business and is known for building the La Ronda mansion and estate in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The Glen Foerd estate is currently operated as a historic house museum, and the grounds are a public park. See also List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49) Citations External links 1860 births 1903 deaths 19th-century American businesspeople 19th-century American inventors 20th-century American businesspeople 20th-century American politicians American bankers American company founders American Freemasons Burials at Laurel Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia) Businesspeople from Philadelphia Deaths from nephritis People from Bad Frankenhausen Politicians from Philadelphia Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania Tanners