George Ege | |
|---|---|
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's5th district | |
| In office December 8, 1796 – October 1797 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Hiester |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Hiester |
| Member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office 1783 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1748-03-09)March 9, 1748 |
| Died | December 14, 1829(1829-12-14) (aged 81) |
| Political party | Federalist |
George Ege (March 9, 1748 – December 14, 1829) was a United States Congressman, elected to theHouse of Representatives fromPennsylvania.
He was born inGermantown in theProvince of Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, to Anna Catherine (Holz) and George-Michael Ege,[1] who had immigrated fromGermany in 1738. George's father participated in theFrench and Indian War, subsequently had health problems, and died in 1759,[2] when George was just 11 years old. After his father's death, George and his two brothers, Jacob Ege (b. 1745) and Michael Ege (b. 1753), were sent to live and study[3] with their mother's wealthy brother-in-law, Henry William Stiegel, a noted glass-maker who had mansions in Manheim, PA and at Elizabeth Furnace, PA, as well as several other outside business interests, including an iron operation he called “Charming Forge” in theWomelsdorf area ofBerks County, PA. Under "Baron" Stiegel's tutelage, George and his brothers learned about how to run iron operations.[4]
In 1774, George Ege succeeded the Baron as owner of Charming Forge[5] and also built a mansion on the property, adjacent to the stream used by the iron mill; this mansion was also called "Charming Forge," and it is still occupied today. George prospered with the forge, added additional forges and properties, and became one of the wealthiest citizens of Berks County.[6] He owned slaves as well.[7]
In 1783, he was elected to thePennsylvania House of Representatives. He was appointed one of the first associate judges of Berks County under thePennsylvania Constitution in 1790, and served from 1791 until 1818, when he resigned. He resumed his extensive business interests, and was elected as aFederalist to theFourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation ofDaniel Hiester. He was reelected to theFifth Congress and served from December 8, 1796, until October 1797, when he resigned. He resumed his business interests, and built and operatedSchuylkill County Forge, nearPort Clinton in 1804. He died at his residence, "Charming Forge," inMarion Township; interment was in Zion's Church Cemetery, Womelsdorf.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 5th congressional district 1796–1797 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
