Hiester H. Muhlenberg was born in Reading, January 15th, 1812. His father was Henry A. Muhlenberg, for many years pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, a member of Congress and Ambassador to Austria.
The subject of this sketch graduated from Dickinson College in 1829 and elected medicine as his profession, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1832, after which he practiced his profession in Reading for a period of about eight years.
He was a Democrat and took an active part in politics for many years. When, in the panic of 1837, the affairs of the Farmers Bank became involved to such an extent as to threaten its existence. Dr. Muhlenberg was placed in charge of its affairs temporarily and was so successful in restoring it to a sound, healthy condition that he was induced to give up the practice of medicine to become cashier, in which capacity he served continuously for forty-three years. Again in the panic of 1857 he saved the bank from embarrassment and possible ruin.
He was one of the original trustees of the Charles Evans Cemetery. Also a member of Council for ten years. He took a great interest in military affairs and served as a lieutenant of the Washington Grays during the Catholic riots in Philadelphia in 1844 and twice enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Volunteers during the Civil War.
He played a conspicuous part in the growth and development of Reading, and his death in 1886 was a decided loss to the community.
Source: Official Program of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Reading, PA, and the 150th Anniversary of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 30th to Oct. 6th 1923, ed. by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Reading, PA, 1923, p. 137.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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