Elizabeth Amelia (Molly) Birky

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Heart failure and Cancer

Notes:

Obit:
Heiser, Elizabeth, daughter of Christian H. and Barbara (Wittrig) Birky, was born in Tazewell Co., Ky., Mar. 18, 1892; died of heart failure and cancer at Burnham City Hospital, Champaign, Ill., Nov. 14, 1971; aged 79 y. 7 m. 27 d. On Jan. 10, 1910, she was married to Alvin Heiser, who preceded her in death Feb. 9, 1971. Surviving are 3 daughters (Alice - Mrs. Hubert King, Inez - Mrs. Maurice Schaer, and Clara - Mrs. Clarence Eichelberger), 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers (John S., William, and Alvin). She was a member of the East Bend Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held Nov. 17, in charge of Irvin Nussbaum and Harold Zehr; interment in East Bend Memorial Gardens.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Elizabeth married Alvin Heiser on 5 Jan 1910. Alvin (son of Jacob Heiser and Elizabeth Bachman) was born on 9 Jan 1886 in Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 9 Feb 1971 in Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 11 Feb 1971 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Alice Marie Heiser was born on 8 Jan 1911 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died on 21 Jul 1984 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 24 Jul 1984 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL.
2. Inez Josephine Heiser was born on 6 Sep 1913 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died on 21 Mar 2009 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried on 25 Mar 2009 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL.
3. Clara Elizabeth Heiser was born on 17 Jan 1919 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL; died on 22 Oct 1972 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL; was buried on 24 Oct 1972 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL.

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald - Volume XIII, Number 31 - October 28, 1920 - page 605

Birky.--Christian H., oldest son of Christian and Katie Birky, was born near Tremont, Ill., May 13, 1847; died Sept. 25, 1920; age 73 y. 4 m. 13 d. He was married to Barbara Wittrig of Wayland, Ia., Feb. 17, 1878. To this union were born 10 children 2 of whom preceded him to the spirit world. He also is survived by 26 grandchildren, 3 brothers, and 4 sisters. Early in life he united with the Amish Mennonite Church of which he was a faithful member until the end. Funeral services were held at the Hopedale, Ill., church, Sept. 28, conducted by Samuel Gerber of Tremont, Ill.

From Elm Grove, moved to Delavan, IL. Christian was registered as a Democrat.

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Barbara Wittrig on 17 Feb 1878 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Joseph Wittrig (Vitrich) and Anna Nancy Gascho) was born on 24 Apr 1854 in Ontario, Canada; died on 4 Feb 1939 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• USR1: Complications Following A Hip Fracture Sustained In A Fall In Her Home

Notes:

Obit: March 9, 1939 - Vol. XXXI, No.49 - pages 1062, 1063, 1064
Birky.-Barbara, daughter of Joseph and Anna Wittrig, was born in Ontario April 24, 1854; died at the Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, Ill., Feb. 4, 1939; aged 84 y. 9 m. 10 d. Death was caused by complications following a hip fracture sustained in a fall in her home. When but a small child her family moved to Wayland, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. At the age of 23 she came to Hopedale, Ill., where she spent the remainder of her life with the exception of six years that she and her family lived in Kansas. On Feb. 17, 1878, she was married to Christian H. Birky. To this union were born 10 children, 4 of whom preceded her in death, namely: Joseph, Emma, Mrs. Lydia Nafziger of Nampa, Idaho, and Mrs. Anna Springer. Father also passed away in 1920. The remaining children are: Chris, John, Alvin, Mrs. Lizzie Heiser of Fisher, Ill., and Will and Lewis of Louts, Ind. On Feb. 23, 1928, she was united in marriage to Chris J. Birky who remains to mourn her departure. She also leaves 6 stepchildren, 36 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers (Pete Wittrig of Washington, Iowa, and Daniel Wittrig of Hopedale), and 1 sister (Mrs. Susan Augsburger of Tremont, Ill.). In her youth she united with the Mennonite Church and she was a faithful member throughout life. Of a quiet disposition, she lived an exemplary Christian life. She was a kind and devoted wife and mother, always exercising a spirit of trust and patience. Mother has gone but her influence lives on and some day we can all be united again. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Funeral services were held Feb. 7 at the Hopedale Mennonite Church, conducted by the brethren, Simon Litwiller and Ben Springer. Text, Rev. 14:13. Burial in the Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery.

Died:
Mennonite Hospital

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Church

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:

Then with Anna Gaucho: Parents of Magdalena, Joseph, Barbara, Daniel, Elizabeth, Samuel, Susanna, Jacob and Peter Wittrig.

Buried:
Funeral at the “Amish Church”, burial in Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Anna Nancy Gascho in 1849 in Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Joseph Gascho and Magdalena Ingold) was born on 8 Nov 1824 in Bavaria, GR; died on 7 Jan 1912 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pneumonia

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, February 1912 - Volume IV, Number 45 - February 8, 1912 - page 723, 724)

"Anna Wittrig (maiden name Gascho), widow of Joseph Wittrig, died at the home of her daughter and son-in- law, C. H. Birkey, near Hopedale, Ill., Jan. 7, 1912, of pneumonia. She was taken sick on the day of the funeral of her grand-daughter, Emma Birky, and after an illness of two weeks she also went home; aged 87 y. 6 m. She was a member of the A. M. Church since her youth and remained faithful to the end. She leaves 5 sons, 4 daughters, and a large number of grandchildren, to mourn their loss, which is her gain. She was buried Jan. 9. Funeral sermons by J. C. Birky, Simon Litwiller and Dan Nafziger, all of Hopedale, Ill."

Birth:
Gravestone gives dates as 17 Jun 1824

Buried:
Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

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)

Notes:

Died:
Lixing les St. Avold

Nicholas married Anne Ommel on 3 Nov 1803 in Grostenquin, LaBreit, Moselle, FR. Anne was born on 29 Mar 1784 in Greutzwald, Lorraine, FR; died on 22 Jan 1819 in St. Avold, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Lixing les St. Avold

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer in Bavaria
• Residence: 1851, Probfeld, Bavaria, GR

Notes:

Joseph and Magdalena initially settled at Probfeld in the Donaumoos or Danube Marsh. The family's passport was annulled by the Bavarian government Feb. 19, 1851 because their son Joseph had a military obligation. Medical certificates dated March 20, 1851 and March 31, 1851 declared him fit for service. He was prohibited from emigrating by a court order. The family departed without him. They probably took a coach to Donauworth, then a new rail line from there through Leipzig to Hamburg. We could not identify a passenger list or a date for their arrival in North America, though we found a note that the ship they sailed on was the Neptune. They initially settled at East Zorra, Ontario. 277 Note that they were in the area at the same time as Joseph's cousin Christian Gascho, who had moved up from Pennsylvania to Wilmot in 1848. Joseph and Magdalena later resettled at Zurich, Hay Township, Huron County, Ontario. On the 1881 census of Hay German Mennonite Joseph Gascho, 85, and Lanah, 77, are found in the household of their son John. Herald of Truth, March 1882: "On the 17th of Jan., in Hay, Huron Co., Ont., Joseph Gascho, aged 89 years. He left an aged companion, and four children with large families. He was for many years a faithful member of the Amish Menn. church and an early settler of the township when the surrounding country was yet a wilderness."

Birth:
16 May 1792?

Died:
Obit says he was 89 years.

Buried:
Lakeview Conservative Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Magdalena Ingold in Jan 1824 in Arzbach, Bavaria, GR. Magdalena (daughter of Jakob Ingold and Elisabeth Bachman (Baumann)) was born on 1 Nov 1803 in Annweiler, Palatinate, GR; died on 21 Feb 1891 in Zurich, Hay Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried in Blake, Huron Co., Ontario, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, March 1891: "On the 21st of Feb., 1891,
in Huron Co., Ont., Lena Gascho, aged about 92 years. In the morning she was as well as usual but before night she was a corpse. She was one of the first settlers in this neighborhood and was a member of the Amish Mennonite church. Services by J. Bender and J. Gasho, from John 5: 24 - 30, and Mark 13: 33 - 37."


Children: Anna, Magdalena, Barbara, Marie, John, Andrew.

Birth:
Lindenbrunnerhof

Buried:
Lakeview Conservative Mennonite Cemetery