The Pennsylvania German Society The first President of the National Congress was Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, and his Pennsylvania German brother, General Peter Muhlenberg, Revolutionary patriot, is one of Pennsylvania's two representatives in the Hall of Fame in the nation's capitol. Other facts from history contain noteworthy Pennsylvania Germans, such as: A Pennsylvania German named Michael Hillegas was the first Continental Treasurer. Conrad Weiser was a pioneer Indian interpreter. Pennsylvania Germans were among the first troops to meet Washington at Cambridge after the Battle of Lexington. The earliest effort in America on behalf of the federal Constitution was a petition from 250 residents of Germantown.