Husband Rev. Henry Augustus Philip Muhlenberg 1 2
Born: 13 May 1782 - Lancaster, Lancaster Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: 11 Aug 1844 3
Buried:
Father: Rev. Gottlieb Henry Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815) 4
Mother: Mary Catharine Hall ( - ) 2
Marriage:
Other Spouse: Rebecca Hiester ( -1841) 2 3
Wife Mary Elizabeth Hiester 2 5
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1806 3
Buried:
Father: Gov. Joseph Hiester (1752-1832) 6 7 8
Mother: Elizabeth Witman (cal 1750-1825) 6
Children
1 F Mary Elizabeth Muhlenberg 3
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: E. Jonathan Deininger ( - ) 3
General Notes: Husband - Rev. Henry Augustus Philip Muhlenberg
During the period from 1829 to 1844 Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg-the son-in-law of Governor Joseph Heister-was the most prominent political representative in Berks County, Pennsylvania. By a reelection to Congress for five consecutive terms he evinced much popularity. In 1835 he received the nomination of the Democratic party for Governor; but he was not elected. Several years afterward, President Van Buren appointed Muhlenberg to be the first minister to Austria, and, in accepting this distinguished appointment, he resigned his seat in Congress.
So learned a man was his father, and so happy in his instructions to his son, that the latter was most thoroughly and liberally educated, and it was deemed unnecessary to send him to college, as before the period of life at which young men most commonly are matriculated at such an institution he had completed the usual collegiate course. In those days party spirit in the land was running high, and his father's family and connections were all imbued with "Republican," or, as they were afterward termed, "Democratic" principles. The odious "Alien and Sedition Laws" had been passed, and the Germans of Pennsylvania were sorely harassed by their provisions, and many able men were engaged in opposing their spirit and endeavoring to secure their repeal.
Though but sixteen years of age, he was writing in defense of Jefferson and McKean, and his pen gave promise of the potent influence which, in after-years, it was destined to wield over the German mind of his native state. According to the wishes of his father, he proceeded to New York to study theology under Rev. Dr. Kunze, and, in 1802, having been duly licensed to preach, took charge of the congregation of German Lutherans in Reading, Pennsylvania, which he retained for twenty-seven years. During a greater part of this time he was a member of the Synod, and filled the offices of secretary, treasurer and finally, by unanimous election, that of president, to which he was subsequently re-elected as often and as long as the constitution would permit.
As a pulpit orator he was celebrated. His great learning, his complete knowledge of his subject, his splendid rhetoric and profound logic combined to make in him one of the finest preachers of his church. His health becoming impaired, he resolved to withdraw from ministerial duties and retire to a farm; and no sooner did he signify his intention of so doing, than his fellow-citizens, who had long admired his quiet and consistent support of Democratic principles, solicited him to represent the district in Congress. In June, 1829, he resigned his ministerial office, having during the preceding October been elected a Representative in Congress.
In December, 1829, he took his seat at Washington, and gave his support to the administration of President Jackson. The latter, as the leader of the Democratic party, was attracted by the position assumed by Henry A. Muhlenberg, who, though he might have been deemed inexperienced in the forms of legislation, was yet so thorough in his understanding of the measures proposed, and so energetic in the manner in which he advocated their adoption, that in the very outset of his Congressional career he established an influence in the party which few men obtained after many years of service.
His views on the tariff question were very moderate. He believed more in the permanency of the system than in the amount of protection; the latter to be purely incidental, and the adjustment of duties to be such as should furnish a revenue to defray the expenses of the government.
He was opposed to the United States Bank, and coincided in all the views hostile to that institution expressed by the President. It was he who, on the 18th of February, 1834, after more than two months of daily appeals on behalf of the friends of the banks, moved the previous question, and, by the vote which was then taken settled forever its destiny.
He continued for nine years his position as member of the House, and was indefatigable in his duty to his constituents and to his country. In 1835 he was a candidate of a portion of the Democratic party for the Governorship of Pennsylvania, but was defeated. In 1836, when it seemed more than probable that each section of the party would nominate an electoral ticket, he induced his friends to give way and support the ticket already chosen. They did so, and Martin Van Buren was elected. In 1837 the latter tendered him a seat in the Cabinet as Secretary of the Navy, and afterwards the Russian mission, both of which, for private reasons, he was obliged to decline. In 1838 he was named ambassador to Austria, was unanimously confirmed, and remained at Vienna until the close of 1840.
In 1844 he was nominated by the State Convention for the post of Governor, which he accepted, but died suddenly on August 11, 1844, two months prior to the election. [HBC 1886, 514]
Sources differ as to which of his children were the offspring of which wife.