Alfred Crout Harmer (August 8 1825 – March 6 1900) was an American businessman and Republican politician who represented Pennsylvania’s 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives during two periods, from 1871 to 1875 and again from 1877 until his death in 1900.
Early life and education
Harmer was born in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended local public schools and graduated from Germantown Academy. After completing his schooling he entered the shoe‑manufacturing trade and became a wholesale dealer, later expanding his interests into shipping, coal, and rail transportation.
Business career
He served as president of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Streets Railway Company for three years and was a director of the North Pennsylvania Railroad. Harmer also held positions in various other enterprises related to manufacturing and commerce.
Political career
Local politics – He was elected a member of the Philadelphia City Council, serving from 1856 to 1860, and subsequently acted as recorder of deeds for the city (1860‑1863). He participated as a delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention.
Congressional service – Harmer was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1870, serving two consecutive terms (March 4 1871 – March 3 1875). After an electoral defeat in 1874 he reclaimed his seat in the 1876 election and remained in office until his death on March 6 1900. During his tenure he sat on several committees, including those for Naval Affairs, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Railroad, Indian Affairs, Coinage, Weights and Measures, and served as chairman of the Committee on the Library.
Personal life
Harmer married Lizzie Miller of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania; the couple had eight sons and two daughters. He died in Philadelphia at age 74 and was interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Legacy
Harmer’s long congressional service spanned nearly three decades, during which he contributed to legislation on naval affairs, infrastructure, and public libraries. His career reflects the post‑Civil War expansion of Republican influence in Pennsylvania and the broader industrial development of the United States.
Sources: Wikipedia article “Alfred C. Harmer”; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; memorial addresses published by the U.S. Government Printing Office (1901).
