Joseph Hiester, Governor of Pennsylvania, was born at Reading, Penn., November 18, 1752. In 1775, being then a young man of considerable influence, he called together his fellow citizens by beat of drum, explained to them the necessity of action in behalf of their country, and laying a sum of money from his own pocket on the drum-head, promised a bounty of $40 and the necessary equipments to each man who would join his company. In a few days eighty men were raised and ready to Join the Commander-in-chief. At the battle of Long Island the company was cut to pieces, and Captain Hiester severely wounded and taken prisoner. He was confined in the Jersey prison-ship for upwards of a year, where he suffered greatly from the cruelties and privations to which prisoners were subjected. After his exchange he again joined the army, and was engaged in the battle of Germantown, where he was again wounded. His health subsequently required his retirement from the army. Shortly after the close of the Pennsylvania Legislature, where he served for many years. He was a member of the Convention which formed the Constitution of the State, and a few years afterwards was elected to Congress from the Berks County district, where he remained until 1820. In 1817 he was nominated for the office of Governor, but was defeated by Governor Findlay. In 1820, however, he was again nominated, and elected by a small majority over his former competitor. He served as Governor until 1823, when he declined being again a candidate. He died June 10, 1832, in the 80th year of his age, after a long and useful life, in which his constant devotion to his country was tested by many sacrifices.
Source: A Biographical Dictionary: Comprising a Summary Account of the Lives of the Most Distinguished Persons of All Ages, Nations, and Professions; Including More than Two Thousand Articles of American Biography, 13th ed. John L. Blake, Philadelphia: H. Cowperthwait & Co., 1859, p. 591.
Contributed by: Nancy.