Frederick Muhlenberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick Muhlenberg
Portrait by Joseph Wright, 1790
1st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office December 2, 1793 – March 4, 1795
Preceded by	Jonathan Trumbull Jr.
Succeeded by	Jonathan Dayton
In office April 1, 1789 – March 4, 1791
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Jonathan Trumbull Jr.
Dean of the United States House of Representatives
In office March 4, 1789 – March 4, 1797
Preceded by	Title established
Succeeded by	Thomas Hartley George Thatcher
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
In office March 4, 1789 – March 4, 1797
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Blair McClenachan (2nd)
Constituency	At-large (1789–1791) 2nd district (1791–1793) At-large (1793–1795) 2nd district (1795–1797)
Delegate from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress
In office 1779–1780
Personal details
Born	Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (1750-01-01)January 1, 1750 Trappe, Pennsylvania, British America
Died	June 4, 1801(1801-06-04) (aged 51) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting place	Woodward Hill Cemetery
Political party	Democratic-Republican (1795–1801) Anti-Administration (1791–1795) Pro-Administration (before 1791)
Relatives	Muhlenberg family
Alma mater	University of Halle
Profession	Minister of religion
Signature
Pennsylvania Historical Marker
Official name	Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg (1750–1801)
Type	Roadside
Designated	April 12, 2008
Location	151 W Main St., Trappe, across from strip mall

Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg (/ˈmjuːlɪnbɜːrɡ/; born January 1, 1750 – died June 4, 1801) was an important American politician. He was a minister and became the very first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was also the first Dean of the United States House of Representatives.

Muhlenberg was a member of the Federalist Party. He helped write Pennsylvania's state constitution. He also served as a representative for Pennsylvania in the U.S. House. Before politics, he was a Lutheran pastor. Muhlenberg was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania. His old home, called The Speaker's House, is now a museum. It is being restored to look like it did when he lived there.

Early Life and Ministry

Frederick Muhlenberg was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania. His parents were Anna Maria (Weiser) and Heinrich Melchior Mühlenberg. His father came from Germany. He is known as the founder of the Lutheran Church in North America. Frederick's grandfather, Conrad Weiser, was a leader in colonial Pennsylvania. His brother, Peter Muhlenberg, was a general in the Continental Army. Another brother, Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst, became a botanist.

Education in Germany

In 1763, Frederick and his brothers, John Peter Gabriel and Gotthilf Henry Ernst, went to school in Germany. They attended the Latina at the Francke Foundations in Halle. In 1769, Frederick studied theology at the University of Halle.

Becoming a Minister

He became a Lutheran minister on October 25, 1770. He preached in Stouchsburg, Pennsylvania, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, from 1770 to 1774. He also preached in New York City from 1774 to 1776. When the British army entered New York during the American Revolutionary War, he had to leave. He returned to Trappe, Pennsylvania. He then became a pastor in New Hanover Township, Oley, and New Goshenhoppen until August 1779.

On October 15, 1771, Frederick married Catherine Schaeffer. She was the daughter of a rich sugar refiner from Philadelphia. They had seven children together.

Political Career

Serving in the Continental Congress

Muhlenberg became a member of the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1780. This was during the American Revolutionary War. He also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1780 to 1783. He was chosen as its speaker on November 3, 1780.

In 1787, he was a delegate and chairman of Pennsylvania's state constitutional convention. This meeting was held to approve the new Federal Constitution. He was the first person to sign the Bill of Rights.

First Speaker of the U.S. House

Frederick Muhlenberg served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania. He was in the first four United States Congresses (March 4, 1789 – March 4, 1797). He was also the very first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

In August 1789, he cast the deciding vote for where the nation's new capital would be located. He decided not to run for Speaker again in 1796. On April 29, 1796, he made another important vote. As chairman of a special committee, he cast the deciding vote for laws needed to carry out the Jay Treaty.

The German Language Legend

In 1794, while Muhlenberg was Speaker, the House voted on a proposal. It was about translating some laws into German. The vote was very close, 42 to 41 against the idea. Muhlenberg himself did not vote. He later said that "the faster the Germans become Americans, the better it will be."

Even though he didn't vote against the bill, a legend grew. This legend, called the Muhlenberg legend, claims he was responsible for stopping German from becoming an official language of the United States. This story is not true.

"Mr. President" Title

Another legend says that Muhlenberg suggested the title for the President of the United States. He supposedly said it should be "Mr. President." Other ideas, like "His High Mightiness" or "His Elected Majesty," were suggested by John Adams.

Other Important Roles

Muhlenberg was also president of the council of censors for Pennsylvania. On January 8, 1800, he was appointed receiver general of the Pennsylvania Land Office. He held this position until he passed away.

Death and Legacy

Frederick Muhlenberg died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on June 4, 1801. He was buried in Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster.

In World War II, the United States liberty ship SS F. A. C. Muhlenberg was named in his honor.

See also

• German language in the United States
• The Speaker's House, in Trappe, Pennsylvania, home of Frederick Muhlenberg
• Muhlenberg College, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, named for Henry Muhlenberg