Daniel Hiester
Encyclopedia
Daniel Hiester was an American political and military leader from the Revolutionary War period to the early 19th Century. Born in Berks County, Pennsylvania
, he was a member of the Hiester Family
political dynasty. He was the brother of John Hiester
and Gabriel Hiester
, cousin of Joseph Hiester
, and the uncle of William Hiester and U.S. Rep. Daniel Hiester (1774–1834).
Hiester's father, also named Daniel Hiester, emigrated from Silesia
in 1737 and settled in Goshenhoppen (now Bally
), Pennsylvania
, afterward purchasing a tract of several thousand acres in Berks County. After completing his education, the young Hiester engaged in the mercantile business in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
.
During the American Revolution
, Hiester served as a colonel and later a brigadier general of the Pennsylvania Militia
. He was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
from 1778 to 1781. In 1784 he was elected to the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, and later in 1787 he was appointed as a commissioner to negotiate the Connecticut land claims dispute
.
Hiester was elected to the United States House of Representatives
representing Pennsylvania
, serving from March 4, 1789 until his resignation on July 1, 1796. He then moved to Hagerstown, Maryland
, and was again elected to the House representing Maryland
, serving from March 4, 1801, until his death in Washington, D.C.
, on March 7, 1804. He was among the number that voted for the location of the seat of the government on the Potomac
.
Berks County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile...
, he was a member of the Hiester Family
Hiester family
The Hiester family was an American political and military dynasty.Noted members of the family include:*John Hiester US Congressman*Daniel Hiester US Congressman*Gabriel Hiester Pennsylvania political leader...
political dynasty. He was the brother of John Hiester
John Hiester
John Hiester was an American military and political leader from the Revolutionary War era to the early 19th Century. He was a member of the Hiester Family political dynasty....
and Gabriel Hiester
Gabriel Hiester
Gabriel Hiester was an American political and military leader from the time of the American Revolution to the early-19th century. Gabriel was a member of the Hiester Family political dynasty...
, cousin of Joseph Hiester
Joseph Hiester
Joseph Hiester was the fifth Governor of Pennsylvania from 1820 to 1823. He was a member of the Hiester family political dynasty.-Biography:...
, and the uncle of William Hiester and U.S. Rep. Daniel Hiester (1774–1834).
Hiester's father, also named Daniel Hiester, emigrated from Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
in 1737 and settled in Goshenhoppen (now Bally
Bally, Pennsylvania
Bally is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,062 at the 2000 census, but a 2005 census estimate put the population at 1,102 residents.-History:...
), Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, afterward purchasing a tract of several thousand acres in Berks County. After completing his education, the young Hiester engaged in the mercantile business in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
.
During the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, Hiester served as a colonel and later a brigadier general of the Pennsylvania Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
. He was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
from 1778 to 1781. In 1784 he was elected to the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, and later in 1787 he was appointed as a commissioner to negotiate the Connecticut land claims dispute
Pennamite-Yankee War
The Pennamite-Yankee War was the intermittent conflict between 1769 and 1799 between settlers from Connecticut who claimed the land along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in the present Wyoming Valley, and settlers from Pennsylvania who laid claim to the same lands.-Grants to Connecticut...
.
Hiester was elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
representing Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, serving from March 4, 1789 until his resignation on July 1, 1796. He then moved to Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
, and was again elected to the House representing Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, serving from March 4, 1801, until his death in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, on March 7, 1804. He was among the number that voted for the location of the seat of the government on the Potomac
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
.