(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
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merchant military politician Soldier
Joseph Hiester was born on November 18, 1752 in Bern Township, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the son of John and Mary Barbara (Epler) Hiester.
His parents were German. His father emigrated from Westphalia to Gosenhoppen, Philadelphia County, in 1732, and later moved to Berks County, where he and two brothers had purchased a large tract of land.
Hiester grew to manhood experiencing the hardships of a farmer's son, but his farm labors did not prevent his acquiring a good education under the minister at Bern Church.
Before reaching his majority Hiester was a clerk in the general store of Adam Witman at Reading. He became a partner in the business.
Though still under twenty-five he was a delegate to the provincial conference at Philadelphia in June 1776, and immediately upon its adjournment he hurried home to assist his county in raising its quota for the flying camp. At a meeting on July 10 he exhorted his townsmen to enlist, offered forty dollars and a sergeancy to the first volunteer, and pledged himself to furnish equipment and necessary funds for the march to join Washington's army. The response was liberal, and in the organization of Berks County troops he was chosen captain. His men, refusing at first to leave Pennsylvania, marched to Long Island only after Hiester's fervent appeals to their patriotism. On the night of August 26, 1776, Hiester was captured by the British. After three months' confinement, spent in part on the notorious prison ship Jersey, he was paroled and later exchanged. He returned to his home weak and emaciated but soon regained his health.
Promoted lieutenant-colonel in 1777, he next saw service at Germantown where he was slightly wounded. In 1779 he was a commissioner of exchange and a member of a committee delegated to seize the personal effects of traitors. Throughout 1780 he awaited the call to military duty, but not being summoned, he returned to his business at Reading, shortly thereafter acquiring sole possession of it.
He was in the Assembly for five terms between 1780 and 1790; a member of the state convention convened to ratify the Federal Constitution, being one of the minority opposed; a member of the state constitutional convention (1789-1790); in the state Senate (1790-1794); and a presidential elector in 1792 and again in 1796. In 1797 he succeeded his cousin, Daniel Hiester, in Congress and served until 1805.
From 1815 to 1820 he was again in Congress, and a member of the committee on public expenditures. In 1817 he returned to state politics as an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate on the Independent Republican ticket. Renominated in 1820 on a platform attacking nominations by legislative caucus and advocating other reforms, after a bitter campaign, he was elected over William Findlay by the narrow margin of 1, 605 votes.
Adhering to his belief in the one-term principle, he refused to stand for reelection and in 1823 retired to his home in Reading.
Joseph Hiester is remembered as a prominent politician, officer and 5th governor of Pennsylvania. Social progress occurred while he was in office. His success as a businessman is attested by the fact that he left an estate of $460, 000. He has a residence hall on the Penn State University Park campus named after him.
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
In the Revolution Hiester was an ardent Whig.
After 1780 Hiester became more closely identified with state politics. When the Pennsylvania Republicans divided in 1805 Hiester followed the moderate wing.
Honest, practical, and a believer in republican simplicity, he advocated appointments according to merit, restriction of executive patronage, shortening of legislative sessions, lower salaries for public officials, encouragement of public improvements and domestic manufactures, and a liberal system of education.
Six feet tall, weighing two hundred pounds, walking with a Malacca cane, Hiester was known as "Old German Grey, " and spoke with a lingering Pennsylvania German accent. Jefferson regarded him as a "disinterested, moderate and conscientious" congressman.
In 1771 Hiester married his employer's daughter, Elizabeth.
