Michael Hillegas

Michael Hillegas (around 1760)

Hillegas on a ten dollar note that was in circulation from 1907 to 1922

Michael Hillegas (born April 22, 1729 in Philadelphia , † September 29, 1804 ibid) was an American politician and first Treasurer of the United States under George Washington . He was the son of the emigrant Georg Michael Hillengaß from Sinsheim im Kraichgau .

Life

Hillegas' father was one of the leaders of the German emigrants in Philadelphia. He was educated in the schools and academies of his hometown. At the age of 21, he took over his father's business succession and asset management. As a businessman he had interests in sugar refineries, ironworks and trading companies. In 1762 he helped to build Fort Mifflin to secure Philadelphia. In 1765 he was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania . He held important positions in Philadelphia, e. B. the fair distribution of the lands in the west. In addition, Hillegas was commissioned by Parliament to take care of the Indians. In 1775 he became Treasurer of Pennsylvania and in 1777 he was appointed Treasurer of the United States , a high position in the US Treasury . After serving twelve years in the federal government, he became a councilor and advisor to the mayor of Philadelphia.

He was an elected member of the American Philosophical Society .

literature

• Horst W. Hillengaß: Old Home - New Home. Emigration to America and living in Kraichgau. The story of a clan from the Electoral Palatinate . 2010, ISBN 978-3-8391-9071-5

Web links

Commons : Michael Hillegas  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Michael Hillegas in the database of Find a Grave (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Member History: Michael Hillegas. American Philosophical Society, accessed September 30, 2018 .