Eldon Lee Birky

Eldon married Patricia Ann Stamm [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Jeffery William Birky
2. Michael Eugene Birky

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, January 25, 1977, page 86.
Birky.- Alvin Levi, son of Christian and Barbara (Wittrig) Birky, was born at Hopedale, Ill., Oct. 30, 1897; died of a heart attack at Spencerville, Ind., Dec. 28, 1976; aged 79 y. On Aug. 28, 1918, he was married to Elizabeth Heiser, who survives. Also surviving are 3 daughters (Delilah-Mrs. Paul Stamm, Margie-Mrs. Jesse Liechty, and Edith-Mrs. John C. King), one son (Eldon), 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and one brother (William). He was a member of the North Leo Mennonite Church, where funeral services were held on Dec. 31, in charge of Alvin Beachy, Roy Yoder, and Clifford Miller; interment in Leo Cemetery.

Buried:
Leo Memorial Cemetery

Alvin married Elizabeth Heiser on 28 Aug 1918 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Jacob Heiser and Elizabeth Bachman) was born on 29 May 1897 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; died in 1994 in IN; was buried in Leo, Allen Co., IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Buried:
Leo Memorial Park

Notes:

Married:
By Peter Zehr, at home of bride’s parents

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:

• Religion: Amish, Mennonite
• Residence: 1888, Fisher, Champaign Co., IL

Notes:

OBIT:

Heiser. -- Jacob Heiser, son of Jacob and Kathrine Heiser, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., on April 22, 1856; died at his home in Fisher, Ill., on Feb. 19, 1923; aged 66 y. 10 m. 28 d. He was married to Elizabeth Bachman on Feb. 20, 1883. To this union were born 12 children, of whom the following survive: Manuel, Alvin, Samuel, Katie, Jake, Mrs. Alvin L. Burkey, Roy, Jesse, and Esther. Barbara preceded him in death about 6 years ago, and two died in infancy. He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife, 9 children, 12 grandchildren, 5 brothers, and 2 sisters. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church since his youth, and was one of the first Mennonite settlers in the East Bend congregation and worked faithfully unto the end. He expressed his readiness to go home and called the family to his bedside. He bade farewell leaving words of warning and comfort which will long be remembered. It was indeed hard to say goodby to one we all loved so well, one who meant all a father could mean to us. But we feel assured that our loss is his eternal gain. Therefore we humbly say, "Lord, thy will be done." Funeral services were conducted on Feb. 21 by Samuel Zehr from Psalm 39 and Samuel Gerber of Pekin, Ill., from Col. 2:8-10.

"Father, thou art sweetly resting
Cold may be this earthly tomb,
But the angels sweetly whispered,
'Come and live with us at home.' " The Children

Residence:
from Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Jacob married Elizabeth Bachman on 20 Feb 1883. Elizabeth (daughter of John Bachman and Barbara Sutter) was born on 15 Jun 1862 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 26 Dec 1923 in Jacksonville, IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

OBIT:

Bachman. - Elizabeth (Bachman) Heiser died at Norbury Sanitarium, Jacksonville, Ill., Dec. 26, 1923; aged 62 y. 6 m. 4 d. She was the daughter of John and Barbara Bachman and was born near Groveland, Ill., June 15, 1861. On February 20, 1883, she was united in marriage to Jacob Heiser, who preceded her to the spirit world Feb. 19, 1923. To this union were born 12 children, namely: Manuel, Alvin, Samuel, Katie, Jake, Lizzie, Roy, Jesse, and Esther. One daughter, Barbara, and two infants preceded her in death. She united with the Mennonite Church in her youth and remained a faithful member until her death. She leaves to mourn her departure 6 sons, 3 daughters, 13 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 1 aunt, and a host of relatives and friends. She was a faithful and devout mother who was especially concerned about the spiritual welfare of her family and will long be remembered by her gentle disposition and kindness shown to all with whom she came in contact. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Church near Fisher, Ill., conducted by Samuel Gerber of Tremont. Text, II Cor. 5:1-10. Burial in the East Bend cemetery.

————————
Read at East Bend Mennonite Centennial Celebration, 1989

“My name is Elizabeth, I was born in 1862 in Tazewell County, and I married Jacob Heiser. We lived in Tazewell County and everything was going fine until after little Samuel was born. Now, there was Manuel, Alvin, and Samuel, three sons! My, what help Jake would have with the work before long! I think that’s why Jake started thinking about finding a place where there would be enough work for the boys. Then one day in January 1888, Jake came home and told me brother-in-law Peter Zehr had bought a farm in Champaign County and would we want to move there? What a shock! I sure hated the thought of moving so far away from Mama, Papa, and my brothers and sisters. When would I ever see them again? But then, it wouldn’t be quite so bad because my Aunt Lena, my cousin Mary, who was married to Charles Stormer, and cousin August Ingold already lived in Champaign County. So, when the spring weather came, the men helped Jake load all our things on the train. Jake’s sister Fannie went along to help US. So we all got on the train that was going to Gibson City. That train whistle sounded so sad, I felt lonesome already. When we got off the train at Gibson City, there was not a familiar face around at all!

It was a chilly day, so we bundled up the boys. I handed six month old Samuel to Fannie for her to carry. I took four year old Manuel and two year old Alvin by the hand, and off we started walking to find our new home. It was time for me to carry Samuel for a while. I thought he must be sleeping soundly, but when I peeked under the blankets his little face was blue. I was frightened! When the fresh March air reached him, he gasped and started crying, and his little face turned bright pink again. I shall never forget that walk. I thought it would never end, but Jake said it was only eight miles!.

That was a long and lonely year. But that day in July, when Mama’s letter came, saying that Papa had bought land about one mile from US and that they would be moving here next spring, my heart jumped for joy. But, in October, when I got word that Papa had died, I felt more lonely than ever. Jake said that if no one else was going to move up here, we would move back to Tazewell County.

So, when spring finally came again, Jake took his wagon to Gibson City to meet the train. I could hardly wait for him to come back home, because he brought with him Mama, my twin sister Barbara and her husband Joseph Heiser, and their boys John, Amos, and Joseph. He also brought brother-in-law Peter Zehr, his wife Barbara, and their children Katie, Dan, Lizzie, and Joseph. What a reunion! They were all moving here to live. What a happy ending to that first lonely year in Champaign County.

Since Peter Zehr was a minister, he soon found a place where we could have church services. I shall never forget that spring day in 1889 when all our buggies headed for the Dixon school house. We sang and prayed together, and it was so good to hear a sermon again. We thanked God for a new beginning and for his faithfulness to US. I cannot imagine what this area will be like in 100 years, but our hopes for our children are that they will find this a good place to live and grow up to be Christians and be faithful to God.”

Birth:
Gravestone date. Obit says 1861.

Died:
Norbury Sanitarium

Buried:
East Bend 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:

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
• Religion: Mennonite
• Immigration: 2 Jul 1842, NY
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1855, IL
• Census: 1860, Dillon Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1870, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• PURC: 1876, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Naturalization: 6 Nov 1876, Pekin, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Birth:
Streicherhof, 30 miles south of Hanfeld. Arzbach bei Dachau

Immigration:
On the Rhone, under the name Jacob Heisser, a 27-year-old from Bavaria, accompanied by 26-year-old Margaretha, as yet unidentified.

Census:
Jacob, 34-year-old farmer, living with his stepmother “Madaline” [Eyer], 62, in the home of his younger stepbrother “Joseph Hiser,” 30.

Census:
Illinois State Census. . The family of Jacob 'Heisor' can be found on the 1855 Illinois State Census. It described them as one male, 40-50 years old; one male, 20-30 years old; one male, under 10; one female, 20-30 years old; and one female, under 10 years of age.

Census:
Their family can be found on the 1860 census of Dillon as Jacob 'Hiser', 40; Catherine, 26; Christian, 7; Catherine, 6; Jacob, 4; Barbara, 3; and Joseph, eight months.

PURC:
Bought land from Charles Graves in Section 36.

Buried:
Landes Mennonite Cemetery (Headstone says Hieser) Grave #14 on printed plot map dated 8/12/2013

Jacob married Katharina Wagler on 8 Oct 1850 in Tazewell Co., IL. Katharina (daughter of Christian H. (Jacob) Wagler and Katharina Ulrich) was born on 8 Jun 1834 in Butler Co., OH; died on 2 Sep 1910 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: infirmities of old age
• Residence: 1860, Dillon Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Residence: Aft 1860, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Obituary: Oct. 20, 1910 Gospel Herald
Heiser.--Mother Catherine Heiser, nee Wagler, was born in Butler Co., O., June 8, 1834; passed to her reward near Morton, Ill., Sept. 2, 1910; aged 76 y. 2 m. 24 d. Her death was caused by the infirmities of old age. Mother Heiser united with the A. M. Church in her younger years and remained a faithful member to her blessed end. She was united in matrimony with Jacob Heiser in 1850. This union was blessed with 13 children. Father Jacob Heiser, her husband, 4 children, 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, preceded her to the spirit world. She leaves 9 children, 48 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers and many friends to mourn her departure. Funeral services were conducted by Christ King at the house in German, text 90th Psalm; and at the church near Morton, Ill., by Andrew Schrock in German and Val. Strubar in English; text, Heb. 9:27, 28. Burial in cemetery nearby.

https://www.tcghs.org/cem/buckeye.htm

Residence:
Where they developed a farm in Section 36.

Buried:
Buckeye Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
Their names were transcribed into the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index as Jacob Hiser and Catharine Wauble.

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Religion: Mennonite
• Census: 1870, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

John Bachman was born in France and spoke French more fluently than English and German. Although he was an ordained minister, he seldom preached at their Amish Mennonite house meetings, in which the German language was used exclusively.

“..He was apparently the ‘deacon Bachman’ in the Pleasant Grove Amish Mennonite Church referred to in Harry F. Weber, The Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois. “Johannes Bachman” attended the Diener-Versammlungen in 1871, 1875, and 1878.”

Census:
Farmer John Bachman, 52, France; Barbara, 43, Bern; and four children born in Illinois.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

John married Barbara Sutter on 4 Nov 1855 in Tazewell Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Johannes Sutter (Suttor) and Barbara Oesch) was born on 1 Feb 1827 in Probfeld, Bavaria, GR; died on 10 Jan 1903 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1850

Notes:

“John and Barbara Sutter Bachman family also lived near Morton in Tazewell County. They had the misfortune of losing their first child. Thus, they gladly welcomed the opportunity to open their home to a homeless young lad by the name of John Grund. His name soon became John Bachman. The Bachmans also had twin daughters, Barbara and Lizzie, born June 15, 1861. Two more children, Lena and Joseph, were born but both died while young. Their youngest son was Andrew, who grew up in that area.”

Birth:
Detenfield Village

Died:
75 yrs. 11 mo. 8 days

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery