Walter E. Birky

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume LXII, Number 3 - January 21, 1969 pages 71, 72

Birky, Walter, son of Valentine and Anna (Naffziger) Birky, was born Feb. 20, 1900; died at St. Francis Hospital, Peoria, Ill., Dec. 20, 1968; aged 68 y. 10 m. 

On Aug. 10, 1946, he was married to Myrtle Dully, who survives. 

Also surviving are 2 daughters (Mary Ann and Helen), one foster son (Charles Powell), and one brother (Chris). 

He was preceded in death by 2 brothers and one sister. 

He was a member of the Hopedale Church, where funeral services were held Dec. 23, with Ivan Kauffmann officiating.

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Walter married Myrtle Mariette Dully on 10 Aug 1946 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Myrtle (daughter of Joseph Dully and Marietta Gearen) was born on 4 Dec 1912 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 5 Jul 2006 in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Ann Birky
2. Hellen Jean Birky

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
BIRKY. - On the 12th of September, 1900, near Hopedale, Ill., Valentine C. Birky, aged 42 years, 2 months and 18 days. He leaves a sorrowing companion, and five children, an aged mother, five brothers and four sisters to mourn his departure. He was a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite congregation. His remains were laid away on the 14th. Funeral services by Isaac Miller, of Chesterville, Ill. Peace to his ashes.

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Valentine married Anna Elizabeth Nafziger on 30 Aug 1883 in Tazewell Co., IL. Anna (daughter of Valentine Nafziger and Barbara Springer) was born on 17 May 1863 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 1 Dec 1950 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XLIV , Number 1 - January 2, 1951---page 22
Birky, --- Anna E., daughter of Valentine and Barbara (Springer) Nafziger, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., May 7, 1863; died at her home near Hopedale, Ill., Dec. 1, 1950; aged 87 y. 6 m. 24 d. She spent her entire life in this vicinity. On Aug. 30, 1883, she married Valentine C. Birky, who preceded her in death Sept. 12, 1900. Five children were born to this union and 3 survive. (Chris, Hopedale; Walter and Barbara-Mrs. T. S. Cripe, Delavan, Ill.). Two sons (Aaron and Eli) preceded her in death. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Her 2 sisters (Mrs. Lena Litwiller and Mrs. Bertha Schantz) preceded her in death. At an early age she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour and united with the Mennonite Church. She was a faithful and consistent member throughout her life, attending services regularly as long as she was able and teaching a class in Sunday school for many years. Funeral services were held on Dec. 4 at her home, conducted by Ivan Kauffman, and at the Mennonite Church with J. W. Birky, of Spartansburg, Pa., and Simon Litwiller in charge. Interment was made in the Mennonite Cemetery near Hopedale with Ben Springer in charge of services there.

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Brewer in Germany
• Reference Number: 195
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 12 Oct 1839, Le Havre to New York
• Residence: Abt 1840, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1841, Dillon Creek, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: Abt 1859-1860, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 18 Jun 1860, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Lived for a number of years in Oberlin, KS. In 1900 the family lived near Beemer, NE, then moved to Hopedale again, and finally lived in Kouts, IN. Jacob was ordained to the ministry in 1895 and was named bishop in 1902. He served 31 years in the ministry.

According to page 147 of 18 Jun 1860 Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., census, Christian Burkey, age 49, was born in Germany and was listed with his wife Catherine, age 40, born in France. Children (all born in IL): Catherine 17; Fanny 15; Christian 13; John 11; Joseph 9; Andrew 7; Jacob 5; and Valentine 3.

1880 census gives birthplace of Christian’s father and mother as Bavaria.

Their household appears on the 1850 census of Tazewell County as Christian Burkie, 38, Germany; Christian, 27, Germany [marked as a female, almost certainly meant to be Catherine]; Catharine, 6, Illinois; Fanny, 4 Illinois; Christian, 2, Illinois; and John, 1 Illinois. They are described on the 1880 census of Little Mackinaw as Christon Birky, 70, farmer from Bavaria; Katherine, 60, from France; and four children ranging in ages 22-15. They are buried at Mennonite Cemetery in Hopedale.

Birth:
Born Bavaria, Germany according to 1860 and 1880 census

Immigration:
Aboard the Burgundy. Passenger list shows J. Burky, 24, and C. Burky, 31.

Residence:
Don’t know the source for this date

Residence:
Page 147 18 Jun 1860 census

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Catherine Mosimann on 30 Aug 1841 in Tazewell Co., IL. Catherine was born in 1820 in Azoudange, Moselle, FR; died on 13 Feb 1909 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 196
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1830, New Orleans, LA
• Residence: 1830, Butler Co., OH

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Vol. I, No. 49 - March 6, 1909, page 783, 784

Birky - Catherine Mosiman was born in Germany in the year 1820 and came to this country with her parents when about ten years old. She was married to Christian Birky in 1841, who died Sept. 26, 1885. To this union were born six sons and four daughters; one son died Sept. 12, 1900. Sister Birky was converted in early life and lived a consistent Christian life. She died Feb. 13, of the infirmities of old age; aged 89 y. She leaves to mourn her death, 9 children, 80 grandchildren, 96 great-grandchildren. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Buried near Hopedale, Ill., Feb. 16. Services by Daniel Nafziger and A. H. Leaman.

Immigration:
Ship Superior

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Birth:
Rohrhof estate in Schwetzingen district

Valentine + Barbara Springer. Barbara (daughter of David Springer and Elizabeth Guth (Good)) was born on 28 Apr 1842; died on 16 Jan 1917 in Boynton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 34
• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Pneumonia, per Dr. Heelbast from Augsburg
• Residence: 1804-1813, Geretsried, Bavaria, GR
• PURC: 22 Jun 1829, Unterdiessen, Bavaria, GR
• PURC: 1830, Abstried, near Diessen, Bavaria, GR
• PURC: 13 Feb 1832, Heimberg, Bavaria, GR

Notes:

Previously from Freudenbergerhof near Bitche in Lorraine.
Later at Heimberg, near Augsburg.

Harry F. Weber, in his book "Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois" reports them as the Big Burkeys and listed them along Dillon Creek in 1841. Reference is made to them as the Big Birkeys because of their large stature. Joseph was the youngest of the six sons and the smallest, and he was a man of over 6 feet in height and weighed over 200 pounds. In 1850, according to U.S. census files, Joseph Birky was 22 years old and his brother Jacob was 24, and they were living with their brother John Birky in Tazewell County, Illinois.
—————————————
While in Bavaria, Christian was one of the signatories to a letter sent March 18, 1811, to King Maximilian I. Joseph (ruler from 1806-1825). In it the “Elders of the Menonists” of the dairy farm Oberndorf, appealed to the King for permission to hire their own private instructors to educate their children in their own catechism, since he had allowed them freedom of religion. But “some of the community have received legal orders to send their children to school a good half hour away.”

The answer came to them on Sept. 11, 1811, that “attendance of the local school remained compulsory, but the Mennonite children were not compelled to participate in religious instruction.”

Other signing the letter were: Christian Güngerich, Heinrich Stalter, Daniel Zehr, Johannes Bächler.
———————————————————

Following are the memories of Valentine Birky (recorded in 1935) of his grandfather Christian Birki (1781-1840).

“The son, who was my grandfather, grew to manhood in France. He, being of more than ordinary strength, was wanted for the army, so he fled to Germany, settling in Bavaria near the town of Augsburg. The French hunted for him in the hay and grain with their bayonets. His mother and sister came to Bavaria later.

“In Bavaria, Christian set up housekeeping. He raised a family of six sons and two daughters.... They tell me the Birkys were of the nobility, whatever that may mean. The Birky brothers were large men; they stood six feet tall and over. None of them fleshy, as I remember them--large frame bone and muscle.

“One thing we must give them credit for: none of them were drinkers, which was a trouble with some of the German people in those days when liquor flowed so freely. I knew the brothers well, all but my own father, which I regret very much not knowing. I have always heard him highly spoken of. Their father was considered the strongest man in Bavaria, I am told. “

The following taken from "A Brief Account of the History, Ancestry & Descendants of the John C. Birky Family."

“The son [of Christian Birki [b. abt 1700], also named Christian, grew to manhood and was constantly sought for service in the military. Eventually he escaped back into Germany. There he was married and raised a family six sons and two daughters. The names of the children in order of age were: Katherine, Christian, John, Andrew, Valentine, Jacob, Joseph and Elizabeth.

Between 1830 and 1840, when the older sons were approaching manhood, plans were made for the Christian Birky family to move to America, but the father suddenly became ill and died. Even so, loyalty to their faith of non-resistance caused them to continue plans to go to America. The two older sons, Christian and John, went to America alone first and settled in Butler County, Ohio. About a year later the other four brothers joined them in Ohio, and a short time later all six went west and located along Dillon Creek in Tazewell County, Illinois. This was in the year 1839 or 1840. The sister Elizabeth, who had married Jacob Eichelberger, came to America with her family and settled in the vicinity of her brothers. The mother and older sister, who married a man by the name of Jacob Rogie, remained in Germany.”

“[Christian] left his wife, one son, and one daughter. The French army sought this one son, Christian, to serve in the army. They often dug in the hay and grain with their bayonets, thinking that they might find him. To avoid this persecution, Christian fled to Germany and then into Bavaria. His mother and sister came later. This took place about 1800 or a little later. In Bavaria, Christian was married and became the father of six sons and two daughters, although it is thought that there was a third daughter who died early in youth. The names of the children were, in order of age: Katherine, Christian, John, Andrew, Valentine, Jacob, Joseph and Elizabeth.

Sons Came Over.
Of the six brothers it was apparent that there were three deacons and one minister. Between 1830 and 1840 this family prepared to come to America, but the father suddenly took sick and died, so it was decided that the two oldest sons, Christian and John, should make the journey alone, which they did.
It was customary for voyagers to take along enough provisions for the journey and also to do their own cooking. There were quite a few Hungarians on the ship and as the Birky boys were the only Bavarians, the Hungarians held the majority. One day John was seasick and Christian went down in the kitchen to do the cooking he found that an Hungarian had a large pot of potatoes on the stove. When Christian came with his kettle, which was small, to cook some soup the Hungarian told him to get out as he couldn't cook.
The boy went upstairs and told his brother John, the story goes, that he must come down to the kitchen, as the Hungarian had insulted them. Christian went down again and tried to put his kettle on but again without success. The Hungarian told him to get out. But Christian, his ire called up, was himself the aggressor this time and seizing the pot of hot potatoes, turned them upside down on the Hungarian's head. In the meantime John came downstairs, and while the Hungarian was trying to get at Christian a seaman tripped him and he fell at John's feet. Thinking the boy had thrown him he left them alone, his fight gone.
About a year later the other brothers came to America and settled in Butler county, Ohio, with the two oldest brothers, but they remained there only a short time and then moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, about 1859 or 1860. The sister Elizabeth, who had married Jacob Eichelberger, came to America with her family and settled in the vicinity of her brothers. The mother and the oldest sister, who married a man by the name of Jacob Rogie, remained in Germany.
The name was formerly spelled Purckey, but has been changed to Burky, Birkey and Birky. The P was changed to B and the C omitted in Switzerland, and other minor changes have been made by the different branches of the family.”

Residence:
South of Munich. Leased Schwaigwall (Gut Wahl/Wolfratshausen-Waal estate), succeeding Joseph Stalter; Joseph rented only 50 days, Christian had a contract for 10 years. A Schwaige was not a ordinary farm, and according to Helmut Gingerich it provided for for a castle or monastery, needing skills such as distilling and cattle raising and a knowledge of business processes. Christian and his people farmed the 240 Bavarian acres of meadows and pastures until 1813.

PURC:
Tafernwirt. Purchased an inn that included 53 acres of farmland. In 1831, Christian is mentioned twice as witness of the Mennonite community, and as innkeeper in Schwabunterdissen.

PURC:
Heimberg estate, near Daniel Unzicker

PURC:
Bought farm estate near Fischach and 25 km S.W. of Augsburg, from Baroness von Grimmenstein for 4,000 Guilders. This farm was also near Daniel Unzicker’s Abstried Schwaige.

Died:
At 11:00 am in the house of Peter Hochstetler while visiting the family. Services at his funeral were conducted by minister Peter Hochstettler (1814-1884), a resident of Meringerau. Hermann Hage says he died at “Siebenbrunn b. Augsburg.” This is 20 miles east of Fischach, Christian’s home since 1838.

Buried:
At the wall from the chapel, in the presence of Stephan Klughammer the priest in the parish of St. Georg, near the Hochstetler family “the oldest from the Mennonite Peter Hochstetler, tenant to the Brik’schen farm.” Peter was in charge of the burial. (Haunstetten equals Siebenbrunn: they are very close together.)

Christian + Katharina Nafziger. Katharina was born in 1776/1777; died on 3 Apr 1861 in Ehingen, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 5 Apr 1861. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Schaffhauserhof, home of her daughter Katharina Burcky Rocke. (Schaffhauser Farm by Nördlingen)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 21 Jun 1849, Solln To NY
• Naturalization: 11 Jan 1855, Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: 1857, Minier, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

The only child of Catherine and Johannes to have migrated to America. David lived at Solln, a southwestern Munich suburb, and sailed with his wife Elizabeth Guth on the Minnesota in 1849.

On 1 Apr 1844, Elisabeth Springer authorized her husband in Solln to realize the real estate.

Immigration:
via Liverpool, on ship Minnesota, with members of his family

Residence:
(David)

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

David + Elizabeth Guth (Good). Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Guth and Barbara Güngerich) was born on 31 Jan 1803 in Busenberg, Palatinate, GR; died on 10 Sep 1849 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 133
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Birth:
Weissenb

Died:
Died shortly after arriving in Tremont

Buried:
Hirstein Cemetery