John B. Sterigere (1793-1852)

Birthplace:

 Montgomery County, Pa.

Occupation:

 Teacher, lawyer
Congressional Service: House 1827-31 (D-Pennsylvania)

Newspapers
Norristown Register (R, D), unclear when

Federal appointments
none found

Other offices
Justice of the peace, 1818-ca. 1821 
State house of reps., 1821-24
Delegate to state constitutional convention in 1838, leading successful drive to disfranchise Pennsylvania's black population
State senate, 1839, 1846-49
Delegate to 1852 Democratic National Convention

Notes
Studied law and admitted to bar while serving in Congress
Considered Democratic boss of Norristown area until around 1849; frequent chair of "county committee" and perennial Democratic candidate
Close friend of President James Buchanan; hostile local historian Moses Auge drops various hints about Sterigere's possible homosexuality and gives impression that there may have been something more than mere friendship between the two never-married men.
Headed commission to improve the city of Norristown

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