Biography

12/12/1783 - 06/02/1865

Ner Middleswarth (Whig15) Mifflin, Juniata and Union Counties 1848

Early Life:

Ner Middleswarth, born December 12, 1783, New Jersey; son of John and Martha Reed Middleswarth;  moved, Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania; very limited education; captain, United States Army, War of 1812-1814; elected, Democratic Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1815-1817; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1818-1820; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1821-1822; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1824-1826; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1827-1828, elected, Speaker of the House, 1828; elected, Jackson (Democrat), Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1828-1829; elected, Anti-Masonic, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1829-1831; elected, Anti-Masonic, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1834-1835; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1835-1836, elected, Speaker of the House, 1836; elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1841; unsuccessful candidate, Governor of Pennsylvania, 1844; elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State Senate 1848; unsuccessful candidate, State Canal Commissioner, 1848; elected, Whig, Thirty-third Congress, 1853-1855; engaged, agricultural pursuits; president, Beaver Furnace Company, Snyder County; associate judge, Snyder County, 1858-1863; married, Christina Schwartzkop Middleswarth, 1805, children, John Middleswarth, Mary Middleswarth Howell, Moses Middleswarth, Abner Middleswarth, twins Aaron J. Middleswarth and Abraham Kelly Middleswarth, Merib Middleswarth Fees, Jacob Middleswarth, Sarah Ann Middleswarth Klose, Matilda Middleswarth Riegel; died, June 2, 1865, (age 81 years, 172 days), Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania; interment, Beavertown Cemetery, Beavertown, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. 

Early Career:

Captain, United States Army, 8th Pennsylvania Rifles, War of 1812-1814.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democratic Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1815-1817.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1818-1820.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1821-1822.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1824-1826.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1827-1828, elected, Speaker of the House, 1828.

Elected, Jackson (Democrat), Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1828-1829.

Elected, Anti-Masonic, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1829-1831.

Elected, Anti-Masonic, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1834-1835.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Union County, 1835-1836, elected, Speaker of the House, 1836. As Speaker, signed Act 70 of 1836 calling for a convention to amend the state Constitution. The Pennsylvania Constitution Convention was held, 1837. 

Elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Mifflin, Juniata and Union Counties, 1841.

Unsuccessful candidate, Governor of Pennsylvania, Democratic Anti-Masonic and Whig State Convention, 1844. 

Elected, Whig, Pennsylvania State Senate, 15th district, Mifflin, Juniata, Union Counties, 1848. 

Unsuccessful candidate, State Canal Commissioner, 1848. 

Associate Judge, Snyder County, 1858-1863.

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Whig, United States House of Representatives Thirty-third Congress, 10th district, 1853-1855; not a candidate for renomination, 1854.

Pennsylvania Speaker of House of Representatives Biography:

Ner Middleswarth - PA House of Representatives - PA House of Representatives (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

Like his father John Middleswarth, he did not have a middle name or middle initial.

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Ner Middleswarth (1783-1865) - Find a Grave Memorial