Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, M. D.

Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus, M. D., was born on the 14th of March 1795. He was the youngest son of Rev. Dr. Henry Ernest Muhlenberg, who was distinguished as an eminent Botanist, and was pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1780 to his decease in 1815. His son, Frederick A., the subject of this notice, studied medicine with the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, and graduated with high honors at the University of Pennsylvania on the 9th day of April, 1814. He commenced the practice of medicine when only nineteen years of age, having his once in his father's residence, then the parsonage, now occupied as a law office by Newton Lightner, esq. He followed his profession with success and distinction for a period of over fifty years, and it is the testimony of all who witnessed his professional ministrations that no physician better understood and exercised the duties of a physician and friend in the sick room than he. When compelled by failing health to relinquish practice, many old families whom he had attended for years could hardly be prevailed upon to give him up.

Dr. Muhlenberg was always more or less prominently identified with the public interests, though never allowing these duties to interfere with the practice of his profession. In 1821 he was appointed Prothonotary by Gov. Hiester, and in 1827 Gov. Shulze appointed him Register of Wills. When Prothonotary, Judge Long, then a mere lad, served as his clerk in that office, to whose memory we are indebted for most of the data for this brief sketch. He served as Trustee and Treasurer of old Franklin College for many years, and subsequently was one of the most active members of the School Board. He was elected President of the Lancaster Bank, at a time when that institution was on the decline, and to his excellent judgment, with the aid of the late James Evans, as Cashier, the subsequent popularity of that old institution was due. He resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Bachman. He was appointed a Trustee of the State Lunatic Asylum, when that institution was founded at Harrisburg, Which position be held until relieved at his own request. He also held many minor trusts, being one of those men never seeking office, but always sought for to serve his fellow-citizens. In 18- he was nominated by the Democratic party as a candidate for Congress, against Mr. Stevens, but popular as he was he could not overcome the strong majority of the opposition.

But the most pleasant word to us remains to be said, because, we know that in saying it we do not flatter the dead. Dr. Muhlenberg was a good man-nay, more, he was a Christian, which, as Dr. Young has so tersely expressed it, is "the highest style of man." During his long and eventful life he was warmly interested in the prosperity of Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was a faithful member and officer, and he never failed to use his influence to promote the cause of Religion and Education among the citizens of his native place:

-A good man never dies;
His life on Earth is but the infancy,
The opening bud, of an Immortal life!

Dr. Muhlenberg died at Lancaster, after a protracted illness, attended with great physical sufferings, borne with Christian fortitude and resignation, July 5, 1867, in the 73d year of his age.

Source: An authentic history of Lancaster County, in the state of Pennsylvania; Lancaster, Pa.: J.E. Barr, 1869, 813 pgs.

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• Pennsylvania Genealogy
• War of 1812
• Muhlenberg Surname

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