Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-08-17
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
HE NRY A. UHLEN BERG.

! ii f. n X Y A. Nj u ii l. f. y B r. II G..
The name of MuHLENBERo is so intimately
connected with our provincial and revolutionary
history that brief account of the distinguished
heads Of this steadfast Democratic family, will
not be an unacceptable introduction to a short
outline of the life and character of the individu-
al whom the Democratic party of Pennsylva-
mia have selected as their candidate for Govern
or at the ensuing general election.
The grandfather of Mr. Muhlenberg, Henry
| Melchior Muhlenberg, Senior of the Lutheran
Ministerain ofNorth America, was born in the
free city of Eimbeck, now in the Kingdom of
Hanover, Germany, September 6, I'LL, of which
city his father, Nicholas NJ. Muhlenberg, was
permanent Chief Burgess. He was educated
at the Universities of Gottingen aid Halle, and
was ordained at Lepsic as clergyman Of the
Lutheran church. In the year 17i1 he received
a call from the Lutheran congregation of Phil
adelphiu, New Providence or Trappe, and New
Hanover, or Swamp, in what is now Montgcm-
cry county. Accepting the call he visited Han.
over, proceeded through Holland to London,
where, after remaining few months, he embar.
ked for America. He arrived at Philadelphia,
November %, l742, after very long and bois-
ferrous passage, the vessel having been driven
into Charleston by stress of weather.
! He found his congregation small and in no
fourishing condition. That at Philadelphia had
no church, and consisted of about 100 heads
OF famiies-that at the Trappe was about half
as large, and was also without church, and
| that at New Hanover or Swamp had an un-
! finished block church, and numbered about $50
heads of families OF these congregations he
Immediately took charge, preaching IN them al
ternately, and residing sometimes in Philadel-
pha, and sometimes at the Trappe, at which
latter place he died in l7S7 in the 18th year
ofhis age.
Whilst under his charge, and principally by
his eXertions, the Lutheran Church in Fifth ST.,
above Arch, was founded, and consecrated l4th
June, lab, By the name Of St. Mchael's church
which venerable edifice is still standing. III
lI6G the foundation ofZon's Church in Fourth
street, above Arch, was laid and it was consd.
cred at that time one of the largest and hand
soonest churches in North America.
In l715, he intcrmarried with Anna Maria
daughter of Ccl. Conrad Weiscr, highly es-
teemed Indian Interpreter whose influence over
them was unbounded, whose name is famous in
the early annals of Penns ylvania, and whose
valuable services and high character are now
n matter OF history.
! Conrad Weiser was brought to New York,
from Germany, by his father in the year l7lO,
being then in the 18th year of his age In the
year 1913 they settled in Schohaire county, n.
Y, on what was then called Queen Anne's
bounty lands, in the midst of the Indians, with
whom Conrad soon became iavorite lie was
nlturalized as an adopted son ofthe Six Nations
with whose language he became perfectly IA
miar, which enabled him TO render many i'm.
/ portant services not only to the German colony
at Scholaire, bat 70 the constituted au;ho ,ities
ofNcw York. Some difficulties occurring in
| regard TO their title to their lands, Conrad
! Weser with number Of others left Schohaire
and were brought by Indian guides on RATS
down the Susquehanna 10 the neighborhood Of
where Harrisburg is now located, from whence
they proceeded to the Tulpehocken creek and
/ It's branches, where a new settlement was form
I'd, in which many Of their descendants stil re-
side. During this journey he first met Will
liam Penn; he was afterwards appointed by
him confidential interpreter and special mes
scnper Ofthe Province amOnu the Indiana md
was present, assisting in negotiating nearly all
the most important treaties between the pro.
prletary government and the Indian tribes
For the purpose he made many journies 10 Sha-
mokin, Onondago, the Ohio, &c, ard was at
that time probably the onlv white man who
could have passed through ,nese countries with
safety. In 1888 he was appointed Colonel Of
a regiment o. provincial troops with the com.
rnand Of the chain of forts from Fort Augusta
at Sunbury, to the Maryland line. lie also
acted for many years as Judge, thus render
ing himself extremely useful not only 10 tie
government but to the people. He was much
beloved by the Indians who, for many years
after his death, were in the habit OF making vi.
/ sits OF affectionate remembrance to his grave
During the long course of Dr. Muhlenberg's
ministry, he was considered the father of the
Lutheran Church in America, and styled the
Father ofthe Germans" fle visited the mass
ofthe German congregations, not only in the
repeatedly went to Maryland, New Jersy, ~,