John Sylvanus Hiester, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hiester, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1794. He began the study of law with Attorney-General Bradford, but upon the death of that eminent lawyer in 1795, he passed into the office of Jared Ingersoll, under whose direction he finished that study. Mr. Hiester never practiced law, but upon Thomas McKean becoming Governor of Pennsylvania, he was appointed Prothonotary of the Common Please, and Clerk of the Criminal Court of Berks County. He held this position for nine years. For many years he was Cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Reading. He died March 7, 1849.
Source: Alexander, Samuel Davies. "Biographical Sketches 1794," Princeton College During the Eighteenth Century. New York: A.D.F. Randolph, 1872, p. 273-274.
Note: Diana says that he was born 7/28/1774 (not 1794) to Gov. Joseph and Elizabeth (Witman) Hiester.
Contributed by: Nancy.