Katherine Matilda Oyer

Other Events and Attributes:

• USR1: Heart attack

Notes:

Obit:
Birkey - Katherine, daughter of Christian and Katherine Oyer, was born Feb. 26, 1892, in Woodford Co., Ill.; died March 10, 1960, at her home, Lowell, Mich.; aged 68 y. 13 d. In 1910, she was married to Levi Birkey, who died in 1951. Surviving are 4 children (Raymond E., Ludlow, Ill.; June--Mrs. Anthony Stormzand, Lowell; Ralph O., Brimley; and Velma--Mrs. Lowell Birkey, Amboy, Ind.), 13 grandchildren, one sister (Elsie, Foosland, Ill.), and 5 brothers (Jake, Morton, Ill.; Joe and Manuel, Foosland; Pete, Congerville; and Samuel, Gibson City). Two sons and one daughter died in infancy. She was a member of the Bowne Mennonite Church, Clarksville, Mich., where funeral services were held on March 13, in charge of T. E. Schrock.

Katherine married Levi F. Birkey on 1 Mar 1910 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL. Levi (son of John G. Birkey and Catherine Schrock) was born on 7 Mar 1884 in Metamora Twp., Woodford Co., IL; died on 7 Sep 1951 in Grand Rapids, MI. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
By Peter Zehr, at home of C. Oyer

1. Raymond Ellsworth Birkey was born on 29 Mar 1911 in Dewey, Champaign Co., IL; died on 8 Feb 1968 in Gibson City, Ford Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL.
2. June Birkey
3. Ralph Birkey was born on 27 May 1917; died on 29 Mar 2005.
4. Velma Kathryn Birkey
5. Elwood Birkey was born on 31 May 1919; died on 31 May 1919.
6. Ellis Birkey was born on 31 May 1919; died on 10 Feb 1920.
7. Eileen Birkey was born on 13 Jun 1927; died on 13 Jun 1927.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald
Oyer. - Christian Oyer, son of Christian and Anna (Smith) Oyer, was born in Washington, Ill., May 23, 1852; died suddenly of cancer and heart trouble at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Unzicker, Fisher, Ill., May 20, 1929; aged 76 y. 11 m. 28 d. When a young man he accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Mennonite Church, remaining a faithful member until death. On Aug. 26, 1876, he was united in marriage to Katherine Zehr. To this union were born 6 sons and 6 daughters. His wife and two daughters preceded him in death. He is survived by the following children: Jacob, Mackinaw, Ill.; Joseph, Manuel, Samuel and John, Foosland, Ill.; Mrs. J. E. Birkey, Manson, Iowa; Mrs. Levi Birkey, Clarksville, Mich.; Mrs. William Unzicker, Elsie Oyer, Fisher, Ill. He is also survived by 53 grandchildren and 2 brothers (Peter, Eureka, Ill.; John, St. John, Mich.). One half-brother and sister preceded him in death. He with his family made his home near Roanoke, Ill., until 1902, when they moved to a farm five miles north of Fisher, Ill. Here they lived until the death of his wife eight years ago. Although in failing health for three years, his death came as a shock to his family and friends. He bore his suffering with great patience and faith in his Lord, often expressing a desire to be taken where all sufferings are ended. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services were held at the East Bend Mennonite church by Bro. J. A. Heiser. Text, I Pet. 1:3, 4. Interment in East Bend cemetery.

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Katherine Zehr on 27 Aug 1876 in Woodford Co., IL. Katherine (daughter of Bishop Jacob Zehr and Elizabeth Ehresman) was born on 2 Apr 1858 in Slabtown, Woodford Co., IL; died on 14 Apr 1921 in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL; was buried in Fisher, Champaign Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Oyer. - Kathrine (Zehr) Oyer was born in Woodford Co., Ill., Apr. 2, 1858; died at her home near Fisher, Ill., Apr. 14, 1921; aged 63 y. 12 d. Sister Oyer suffered a number of years from a complication of diseases. At the age of 16 she confessed her Christ, united with the Amish Mennonite Church, and remained a faithful member to the end. On Aug. 27, 1876, she was united in marriage to Christian Oyer. To this union 12 children were born. She leaves 43 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services conducted in [German] by Bro. Daniel Grieser (Text, II Cor. 5:1), in English by Bro. J. A. Heiser (Text, I Thes. 4:13).


“Jacob and Elizabeth had a daughter, Katherine Zehr Oyer (1858-1921) who "lived a full and active life.” She served as a practical nurse, delivering babies and caring for the sick. Often when her children would arise in the morning, mother would be gone having been called to the home of some sick neighbor. She was also the one who helped 'lay out the dead.' This was before undertakers as we know them today. She practiced in both the Mackinaw Valley and East Bend communities.

“Katherine was good at figures and helped with keeping the family records. she also did a great deal of quilting and was a good seamstress. She was a quiet and patient person and loved by all her family. Her last five years she was ill much of the time which she bore patiently.”

Died:
At her home

Buried:
East Bend Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Joseph is found on the 1850 census of Tazewell County, living in the household of his brother John. Their home was in Farmdale, a railroad junction that once held a post office and store.

Joseph, married Anna Peterschmidt on 7 Sep 1851 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL. Anna (daughter of Jacob Peterschmidt and Barbara Lauber) was born on 25 Jun 1814 in Ruederbach, Haut-Rhin, FR; died on 11 Jan 1892 in Farmdale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, February 1892:
"On the 11th of January 1892, in Woodford Co., Ill., of the infirmities of old age, widow Anna Oyer, aged 77 years, 6 months and 14 days. She was the youngest daughter of Jacob Petter Schmitt, and was born in Canton Pfird [Fr. Ferrette], Upper Alsace, Germany. In 1832 she came with her mother, 3 brothers and 3 sisters to America. They settled in Lancaster Co., Pa., at Samuel Lantz's. From the church at this place this poor family received many favors. Three years afterwards the family moved to Butler Co., Ohio, where the deceased was married to Joseph Roth, who died 39 years ago. After his death she was united in matrimony to Joseph Oyer in Illinois, who also preceded her about 25 years ago. She leaves three sons and one daughter, a number of grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the A.M. church. Buried on the 14th. Funeral services in the Roanoke meeting house by Peter Sommer, of Metamora, Ill., from John 6:38-40 and by John Schmitt from Heb. 4:9. J.P.S."

To America in 1832 with three sisters and three brothers. first to Lancaster co., Pa. To Butler Co., Ohio in 1835 and there married Joseph Roth (1811-1850).

Birth:
Staker says born at Bendorf June 25 or 27.

Notes:

Married:
Farmdale?

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: In Europe, A Dienstknecht (Farm Hand), In US, A Minister/Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1848, Slabtown, Woodford Co., IL
• Immigration: May 1848, Le Havre to New York
• Census: 1850, Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Montgomery Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth - March 15, 1898 - page 93, 94.
PRE. JACOB ZEHR
Montgomery Township, Woodford County, Ill., lost one of its oldest and most respected citizens on Tuesday morning of Feb. 22nd, 1898 by the death of Pre. Jacob Zehr, at his home in Mackinaw valley, near Zimmerman's Ford. Deceased was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 17, 1825 and emigrated to America in the spring of 1848. On April 21st, 1850, he was married to Elizabeth Ehresman and settled on the farm upon which he died. This farm he entered from the government and by hard labor succeeded in making it a comfortable home, leaving his family well provided for. His family consisted of four sons and five daughters of whom one son and two daughters preceded him to the grave; his wife, six children and eighteen grandchildren survive him. Bro. Zehr united with the Amish Mennonite Church in early youth and remained a faithful member to the time of his death. On the 12th of June 1859, he was chosen by the above named church as minister of the Gospel, and on May 17th, 1863 ordained as bishop. It was ever his highest aim to fill this charge according to God's ordinances as long as He gave him power and health to do so. He was a sufferer from nervousness or sick-headache more or less for nearly forty years, which wore on him so that for the last four or five years his health has been so poor that he was unable to preach. This seemed to be his greatest sorrow in his declining years; yet by his patience in his sufferings and his trust in his Master he was ever setting a good example to others who visited him, and to his family. About four months ago he was partly paralyzed and from that time was confined to his bed and as helpless as a child, patiently awaiting his Master's call to come up higher. His life on earth was an exemplary, upright, humble one, highly respected by all who knew him. While the sorrow of his death is general, yet it is mitigated by the knowledge that after a long and useful life a good man has gone to the home he so longed for.

What a blessed assurance that
"If we so live as to meet him,
In heaven his bright face we shall see."

The funeral services were held in the village of Deer Creek. Thursday at 1 o'clock P. M. Feb., 24th, a very large congregation of friends and relatives came to pay their last tribute of respect to their beloved friend whose kindness and generosity brightened the lives of many. Elder John Schmitt of Metamora spoke in German, and Val. Strubhar of Washington, in English. The remains were laid to rest in the Mt. Zion cemetery, two miles north of Deer Creek.

"Yonder in the graveyard gently
Rests the form we loved so well;
But we look to heaven and glory
Where there will be no farewell.
Farewell father, till we meet thee,
In thy heavenly home above;
There to sing God's praises with thee,
In the land of joy and love."


Settled near Slabtown near his brothers. After marriage he farmed near Mackinaw River's Zimmerman Ford at the southern edge of Woodford County's Montgomery Township.

“Jacob and Elizabeth’s two oldest children, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. These two children, we were told, were buried in a little plot under the apple tree in the southeast corner of their garden.”

He was ordained as a minister on June 12, 1859, and as an elder (bishop) on May 20, 1863, for the Mackinaw Meeting. After 1873 he primarily served the Goodfield congregation. He attended the May 16-19, 1875, Amish ministers conference held in the Sutter barn.

“For Jacob Zehr there was a “throne in the flesh” in the form of very painful headaches from which he suffered for 35 years. These finally wore him down so that the last few years of his life he was no longer able to minister to the people. Once he could no longer fulfill this service his desire was to be called out of this life to be with his Lord.

“The last four months of life he was partially parliized. On a Tuesday morning, Feb 22 1898, death came to release him form further suffering. His funeral was held in the Deer Creek Baptist church in order to accommodate the large crowd of people who came to the services. The services were in charge of Rev. Peter Zehr, Rev. John Smith, and Rev. John Strubhar. His body was laid to rest in the Mt. Zion cemetery north of Deer Creek, IL.”

“Jacob., Jr. is at the well; in the background are Phoebe (Zehr) Wolber and her daughter [given her apparent age, probably Mary Magdalena “Lena”, b. 1895] and Mrs. (Zehr) Warner. It was recorded that “Mrs. Wolber’s small son [Alvin] fled to the safety of the house” because he was camera-shy!” ,


According to Auswanderung, Jakob Zehr, a serving farmhand at Hanfeld, emigrated from Bavaria in 1848 bound for Illinois with 400 florins in hand.

Birth:
in the Hofmark at Hilgertshausen

Residence:
Purchased land in row Zimmerman Ford area of Mackinaw River.

Immigration:
On the ship Admiral. Assets of 400 fl.

Census:
Living next to older brother Christian: Jacob Sears, 25, Germany; and Eliza, 20, Germany.

Census:
Farmer Jacob Zehr, 42, Bavaria; R. Annie Zehr, 36, Ohio; with six children born in Illinois, and Magdalena Zehr, 75, Bavaria

Buried:
Mr. Zion Cemetery (see photo)

Jacob married Elizabeth Ehresman on 21 Apr 1850 in Woodford Co., IL. Elizabeth (daughter of Christian Ehresman (Eyresmann) and Magdalena Barnhardt) was born on 11 Sep 1830 in GR; died on 27 Nov 1902 in Deer Creek Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 1835, OH
• Residence: 1844, IL

Notes:

Elizabeth died a highly respected lady who spent her married life fulfilling duties as mother, minister’s wife and Christian lady.

Buried:
Mt. Zion cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Miller at Hemersbergerhof near Landau (compagnon meunier)/Farmer in America
• Residence: Abt 1807-1830, Niderhoff, Moselle, FR
• Immigration: 12 Dec 1830, New Orleans, LA
• Residence: 1831, Butler Co., OH
• PURC: 20 Aug 1838, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1860, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Joseph lived near Turquestein, in the village of Niderhoff, where he was the community's miller. Joseph was married first to Catherine Schrag. Joseph Oyer and family and his brother Jacob Oyer and family and their 85-year-old father, Johannes Oyer, along with others came to America in 1830. He made the voyage with his wife and twelve children: Magdalena, Catherine, Anna, Joseph, John, Peter, Christian, Mary, Elisabeth/Barbara, Andrew, Elise/Elisabeth, David. Eight of these children were born to Joseph's first wife, Catherine. They sailed from the port of LeHavre, France, and after a 53-day trip across the ocean landed at the port of New Orleans in November. After living a while in Butler County, Ohio, the Joseph Oyer family moved to Tazewell County, Illinois.

Birth:
Hermersbergerhof, near Landau. Calculated date from marriage document. (30 years at the time)

Residence:
Miller at Niderhoff

Immigration:
Ship Superior

Residence:
In 1838 To IL

PURC:
From Peter Ringenberg, brother-in-law

Census:
Listed as a Farmer, age 42, with wife Ann, age 33, both born in France, and children all born in Illinois:
Joseph age 15; Catharine 14; Ann 12; Peter 10; John 8; Christian 6; Madaline 4; Mary 1; and Catharine Shrock age 64, widow born in France.

Buried:
In a plot at the edge of the property line of his brother Jacob’s farm.

Joseph, married Catherine Schrag on 27 Dec 1804 in Gondrexange, Moselle, FR. Catherine (daughter of Caspar (Gaspard) Schrag (Gerack) and Marie Blaser (Blaiser)) was born about 1783 in St. Avold, Moselle, FR; died on 14 May 1823 in Niderhoff, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1804, Gondrexange, Moselle, FR

Notes:

Catherine died a few weeks following the birth of Mary (Marie). During 1807-1830 Joseph and Catherine lived at Niderhof, Lorraine, France.

Birth:
Oderfang Mill. Year calculated from marriage record.

Residence:
Ketzing. Living there at the time of her marriage

Died:
At age 40.

Notes:

In her marriage record, Catherine’s surname is spelled “Schrack.” A rough translation of the vital statistic is: This record 6 (10?) nivo an 13 is the mariage of Joseph Oyer 30 years old born compagnon (companion or comrade) miller living in Gondrexange son of Jean Oyer and Jacobine Regle, and Catherine Schrack 21 years old born Oderfang, living in Gondrexange, major (of majority years) daughter of deceased Gaspard Schrack, miller and of deceased Marie Blazer (Blaser) living in Rhodes before death. Witnesses: Joseph Schrag born 1772/1773 son of Gaspard Schraque and Barbe Rouvenac, married 13 Aug 1798 with Marie Engel (1772-1819).

Another marriage document on file is “extrait du registre des actes de mariage de la commune de Gondrexange”--meaning it is a copy made (it could be 12 Oct 1823). This second record could be with regard to some census taken, as there is a seal on the record that includes the word census.

Joseph Oyer was 30 years old and living in Gondrexange at the time of his marriage.
Catherine was 21 years old (majeur fille, majority years), born in Oderfang, living in Gondrexange. Her parents had died before her marriage.

Witnesses:
Jean-Claude T(?)acotte
Joseph Schrock, age 32, brother of Catherine, living at Gondrexange.

Married:
10 Nivose 13 - at Ketzing?

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Weaver, Before 1792/93, When French Civil Record Keeping Began

Notes:

Jacob married Barbara Lauber before 1792-1793. Barbara (daughter of Christian Lauber and Katharina Schwartz) was born in 1771 in Alsace, FR; died after 1832 in Butler Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: OH
• Immigration: 1832?

Notes:

Ten children, seven of whom, together with their widowed mother, immigrated to America in 1832 after Jacob Peterschmidt died in Hirsingue. According to family tradition, Barbara Lauber died in Butler Co. OH.

Died:
according to family tradition

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Cholera
• Residence: 1803, Abstried, near Diessen, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1810-1817, Laim, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1818-1827, Manried, Bavaria, GR
• Immigration: 1849, New York, NY
• Residence: 1828-1849, Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1849, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

At one time Daniel lived in the village of Struth in France, but moved to Bavaria in 1803, where he leased a cattle farm for two years. From 1810 to 1817, the family lived at Laim, near Munich. Daniel purchased property at Manried near Hilgertshausen on 2 Dec 1818, then resold it on 15 Dec 1827. The next move was to Hanfeld, near Starnberg, Bavaria. At the age of 72 and about ten years after the death of his wife (Magdalena Unzicker), Daniel emigrated to America with the David Springer family on the ship Minnesota. The ship departed from Liverpool, England and arrived in New York on 21 June 1849. From New York Daniel went to Illinois where his sons George, Christian, Peter, and Jacob had settled.

Also on board were Valentine Birkey (1794) with brother Christian's daughter, Barbara and her illegitimate son, and Mary Burkey Birky.

Daniel’s children’s names were kept in a 1780 edition of Martyrs’ Mirror that has been passed down in the Ingold family.
——————
While in Bavaria, Daniel 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, Christian Bürcky, Johannes Bächler.

———————
Daniel’s estate was probated in 1858 (Woodford Co., IL), Jacob Summers, Administrator. Appraisers were Christian and Peter Farney and Peter Sommer.
Paid out was: Christian Zehr $825.79; Daniel Zehr $825.79; Magdalena Zehr $36.00; Magdalena Zehr two $40 payments.

Residence:
Bergerhof. Laim was very near Nymphenberg in Gern. Thus, surely he had dealings with the Stalter and Birkey families in Gern.

Immigration:
From Liverpool. Arrived 21 June 1849 on ship Minnesota. Only son Joseph stayed in Bavaria.

Residence:
Mang-Anwesen

Residence:
Mackinaw River area

Buried:
Thought to be Slabtown Cemetery

Daniel married Magdalena Unzicker on 6 Jun 1802 in Windstein, Wissembourg, Alsace, FR. Magdalena (daughter of Johannes Unzicker and Barbara Ullmann) was born on 8 May 1785 in Windstein, Wissembourg, Alsace, FR; died on 16 Dec 1838 in Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR; was buried in Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Bas-Rhin

Died:
Dec 1 (Staker)

Notes:

On 17 Parairial 10th year of the Republic (6 Jun 1802), at Windstein, District of Wissembourg, France, Daniel Zohr, age19, sone of Daniel Zehr and Catherina Zohr, married Magdalena Hunzicker, age 17, daughter of Johannes Unzicker and Barbara Uhlmann of Windstein. The following persons were witnesses and signed the marriage record: Joseph Zohr, farmer, age 47 years; Jacob Stepp, farmer, age 54 years, both residing at Windstein; Christian Bock, farmer, age 35 of Windstein; Christian Zohr, farmer, age 45 of Stultzthal.

Married:
Marriage records of Windstein, Bas-Rhin, France, 1793-1862:
On 17 Prairial 10th year of the Republic (6 Jun 1802), at Windstein, District of Wissembourg, France, Daniel Zohr, age 19, son of Daniel Zehr and Catherina Zohr, married Magdalena Hunzicker, age 17, daughter of Johannes Unzicker and Barbara Uhlmann of Windstein. The following persons were witnesses and signed the marriage record: Joseph Zohr, farmer, age 47 years; Jacob Stepp, farmer, age 54 years, both residing at Windstein; Christian Bock, farmer, age 35 of Windstein; Christian Zohr, farmer, age 45 of Stultzthal.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 10 Nov 1836, New York, NY

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, September 1874:

"Aug. 11th, in Woodford Co., Ill., of dropsy of the heart, Christian Erisman, aged 74 years, 4 months and 25 days. He leaves a bereaved wife and 15 children, who were all present before his death. Remarks suitable to the occasion were made by Joseph Stuckey, from 1 Peter 1:24. - Peace to his ashes."

Of Deer Creek, IL. Native of Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, Germany.

Birth:
, according to the Wimsheim Familien Register. However, when he died Aug. 11, 1874, his obituary said he was "aged 74 years, 4 months and 25 days." His headstone in Slabtown Cemetery at Goodfiield also says, "Christian Ehresman died Aug. 11, 1874 aged 74 Y. 4 M. & 25 D." This erroneous calculation would yield a birth date of March 16, 1800.

Immigration:
Ship Troy. The ship Troy sailed from Le Havre and arrived at New York City Nov. 10, 1836. The Ehresmans are found on the passenger list in a group of travelers from Baden: Christian Ehresman, 36; Anna, 22; Jacob, 10; Johann, 7; Elisabeth, 4; Christina [Christian], 3; Jacobina, 2; and Daniel, 1. According to the Troy passenger list, Daniel died at sea Oct. 26, 1836.

Buried:
Slabtown Cemetery

Christian + Magdalena Barnhardt. Magdalena (daughter of Johannes Barnhardt and Katharina Güngerich) died in 1834 in GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes: