History of Trappe, (Montgomery County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pioneer Lutheran, was born in Einbeck, Hanover, Germany, Sept. 6, 1711; son of Nicholaus Melchior and Anna Maria Muhlenberg, persons of prominent social standing. He attended the schools of Einbeck, and in 1735 entered the University of G?ttingen, having been voted a yearly stipend for his collegiate education by the council of his native town. In 1736 he induced several other students to join with him in giving instruction to neglected children, which movement grew into an institution. He studied theology at G?ttingen and Halle; was ordained to the Lutheran ministry in 1739, and was ordered a deacon in the church and inspector of an orphan home. He was sent as a missionary to German Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania, in 1742, and sailed from London for Charleston, S.C., and thence by coasting vessel to Philadelphia. He soon extended his field to New York, New Jersey and Maryland and he petitioned his patrons for young and educated Lutheran clergymen. They sent the Rev. Peter Brunnholtz and two theological students, and in a few years the Lutheran church was firmly established in the colonies. He organized the first Lutheran synod in 1748, and arranged friendly relations with the Swedish Lutherans along the Delaware. He was married, April 23, 1745, to Anna Mary daughter of J. Conrad Weiser, the famous Indian interpreter of Tulpeholken, Pa. He preached in New York city to the Dutch and German congregations, 1751-52 and 1759-60. He delivered addresses in German, Dutch, Latin and English. The first Lutheran church in Philadelphia was dedicated in 1748, and in 1762 he reorganized the congregation under a new constitution which became the model of the Lutheran congregations subsequently established. At the outbreak of the Revolution he favored the American cause. He removed to Trappe, Pa., in 1776, where he continued to preach when his health permitted. On the centennial of his death, exercises were held at his grave at Trappe. See Biographical Sketch of H. M. Muhlenberg, by J. G. Christian Helmuth (1788); Memory of the Life and Times of H.M. Muhlenberg, D.D., by Martin L. Steerer (1856); Autobiography of H.M. Muhlenberg edited by William Germann (1881); Life and Times of H.M. Muhlenberg, by Wm. J. Mann (1887). He died at Trappe, Pa., Oct. 7, 1787.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg, representative, was born in Trappe, Pa., Jan. 1, 1750, second son of the Rev. Henry Melchior and Anna Mary (Weiser) Muhlenberg. He received a collegiate education at Halle, Germany, and was ordained to the Lutheran ministry, Oct. 25, 1770, upon his return with his brother, Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst, from Germany. He assisted his father at Trappe, 1780-83, was pastor of Christ church in New York city, 1773-76, and upon the outbreak of the Revolution was obliged to leave New York on account of his outspoken sympathy for the patriot cause. He resided with his father at Trappe, 1776-77, and then removed to New Hanover, Pa., and was pastor of the Lutheran congregations there, at Oby and at New Goshenhoppen, Pa., until August, 1779, when he retired from the ministry to accept the election of delegate to the Continental congress, where he represented the Germans in Pennsylvania, 1778-80. He was subsequently elected to the state legislature, when he served two terms as speaker. He was a representative in the 1st-4th Congresses, 1789-97, and was speaker of the house during the 1st and 3rd congresses. He was chairman of the committee of the whole in considering the Jay treaty, and his casting vote carried the treaty into effect. He was president of the council of censers of Pennsylvania; state treasurer; president of the state convention that ratified the Federal constitution, and register of the Pennsylvania land office, 1797-1801. He died at Lancaster, Pa. June, 4, 1801.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor