Henry Muhlenberg

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Muhlenberg married Anna Maria Weiser, the daughter of Conrad Weiser, in 1745. The couple had eleven children, and in so doing founded the Muhlenberg Family dynasty. Of their children three of his sons entered the ministry yet became prominent in other fields as well. Muhlenberg himself was very loyal to the House of Hanover, and worked to stay neutral during the American Revolution. One of his sons, though, Peter became a Major General in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and then entered Congress. Frederick served as the first Speaker of the House in the U. S. Congress. Henry Jr. became pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, New Jersey. Henry Ernst was an early American scientist, and the first president of Franklin (now Franklin & Marshall) College. Several of Henry and Maria's daughters also deserve mention. Elisabeth was married to General Francis Swaine, and Sarah to Congressman Mathias Richards. Eve married Emmanuel Shulze, and their son John Andrew Schulze became Governor of Pennsylvania.