John Hiester | |
|---|---|
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1809 | |
| Preceded by | See below |
| Succeeded by | See below |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1745-04-09)April 9, 1745 |
| Died | October 15, 1821(1821-10-15) (aged 76) |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Hannah Pawling |
| Children | Seven |
John Hiester (April 9, 1745 – October 15, 1821) was an American military and political leader from theRevolutionary War era to the early 19th century.[1][2] He was a member of theHiester Family political dynasty.[3][4]
The brother of US CongressmanDaniel Hiester (1747-1804), the father of US CongressmanDaniel Hiester (1774-1834), and the uncle of US Congressman and Pennsylvania State SenatorWilliam Hiester (1790-1853), John Hiester was a Republican who was elected to the10th United States Congress (March 4, 1807 to March 3, 1809)[1] during the administration of PresidentThomas Jefferson.[5]
Born inGoshenhoppen in theProvince of Pennsylvania on April 9, 1745,[1] John Hiester was a son of Daniel Hiester (1712-1795), a native of Germany, and Pennsylvania native Catharine (Schuler) Hiester (1716-1789). His parents were members of the Reformed Church of Goshenhoppen.[4]
Residing at the family's home inUpper Salford Township, which was located near what is nowSumneytown, John Hiester grew up in a world of privilege with his siblings. According to Hiester family historian Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Richards, the Hiesters' home was "a fine, two-story brick mansion on the east side of the turnpike, close to Ridge Valley Creek" that was "sufficiently prominent to be noted on the map of Pennsylvania published byNicholas Scull, the Province Surveyor, in 1759." In 1907, Richards described the home as follows:[6]
A broad hall runs through the middle of the first story, on each side of which are spacious parlors; the second story is divided into bedrooms; above this is the roomy garrett of the olden time. Heavy eaves run along the gable roof, and a corresponding cornice forms the lower part of the gable. It was originally provided with a secret closet in which to hide plate in troublous times.
After completing his education in the public schools of the area, John Hiester entered the lumber business with his father inBerks County, Pennsylvania.[1] He married Hannah Pawling (1747-1822) and fathered seven children.[4]
During the Revolutionary War, Hiester volunteered for service with the PennsylvaniaMilitia. After serving as a captain[1] with the 1st Company, 4th Battalion under Colonel William Evans in 1777, he served as a captain with the 1st Battalion of the Chester County Militia that same year. After the war, he was commissioned as Major General of Militia.[7]
Elected to thePennsylvania State Senate during the early 1800s, he represented Chester County constituents from 1802 to 1806.[8][9][10]
He was then elected in 1806 to theUnited States House of Representatives,[11] and served in the Tenth Congress from March 4, 1807, to March 3, 1809[12] during the administration of President Thomas Jefferson. Hiester entered the House during the era of theNapoleonic Wars, and was involved with attempts by the president and Congress to persuade the belligerents to end their conflicts, including passage of theEmbargo Act of 1807 and theNon-Intercourse Act (1809).[5]
In 1816, Hiester joined with John Cochran, J.P. Helfenstein, John Ramsey, and W. J. Duane in advocating for the creation of "an Independent Electoral Ticket" in Pennsylvania. Their appeal to Pennsylvania voters was published in the October 26, 1816 edition of theLancaster Intelligencer.[13]
Hiester died inGoshenhoppen, Pennsylvania on October 15, 1821, and was buried at the Union Cemetery inParker Ford, Pennsylvania.[1]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 3rd congressional district 1807–1809 alongside:Robert Jenkins andMatthias Richards | Succeeded by |
