Hans Christian Febiger was born in Faaborg on the island of Funen, in Denmark, Oct. 19, 1749.
In 1772 Febiger traveled to the American Colonies and was engaged in several businesses when the American Revolution started. Following the clashes at Lexington and Concord, Febiger joined the Massachusetts Militia on April 28, 1775, where he fell under the command of Samuel Gerrish and soon became adjutant.
Following his success in the Battle of Bunker Hill, Febiger was appointed to accompany General Benedict Arnold on his Quebec Expedition, which eventually led to the infamous Battle of Quebec. During the raid on December 31, 1775, Febiger was taken prisoner by the British and held captive in and around New York City until January 1777. After his release, Febiger rejoined the Continental forces as a Lt. Col. of the 11th Virginia Regiment, under the command of Col. Daniel Morgan.
Following his performance at the Battle of Brandywine, Febiger was promoted to the rank of colonel on September 26, 1777, and took command of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, a post he held until the end of the war.
Following the war, he settled in Philadelphia and eventually came to hold the post of state treasurer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was appointed to that post for every successive year until he died in 1796. According to the Sons of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania Society, Febiger is buried in the historic Mount Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia.