Valentine Birky

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: Aft 1887, Hudson, McLean Co., IL

Notes:

Valentine was born four months after his father’s death. He had four first cousins also named Valentine Birky. Two were born in his birth year of 1857; one in 1858; and one in 1854.

Buried:
Kaufman Cemetery

Valentine married Anna Ramseyer on 27 Jan 1887. Anna was born on 1 Aug 1865 in SW; died on 9 Nov 1927; was buried in Hudson, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Erma Birky
2. Clara Birky
3. Lorena Birky
4. Albert Birky

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer
• Reference Number: 200
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Pneumonia
• Immigration: Abt 1840
• Ordained: 1847, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Ordained a minister 1840 and a bishop in 1846, according to Source , and he attended the Amish Diener-Versammlungen as a delegate nine times, in 1864, 1866, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1878. Assisted Andrew Ropp in the Dillon Creek Congregation. Lived north of Tremont after marriage, but after a few years moved to a farm three miles southeast of Morton, IL.

The 1850 census of Tazewell County shows his household as Valentine Burker, 29, Germany; Madeline, 24, Germany [she was born in 1827, and would have been 22]; Phoebe Burkie, 2, Illinois; and Barbara, 1, Illinois.

“In 1856 father had a spell of rheumatism but had recovered as he thought and went to the woods for a load of poles to build a cattle shed. He caught cold, pneumonia set in, and he died at the age of 39. That was in November 1856. Mother was left with five children, the oldest nine years old. I was born four months later....But they had good neighbors. They prepared father for burial, made his coffin and hauled him in a wagon to the Landes Cemetery, three and one-half miles northwest of Tremont where he is buried. This was done with very little outlay of money. The rank and file of the farming people in those days had no money and I do not think that there were any banks in that part of the country then.”

Ordained:
Ordained a minister of the Dillon Creek meeting.

Census:
Valentine “Burker,” 29, Germany; Madeline, 24 Germany; Phoebe 2, IL; and Barbara, 1, IL

Buried:
Landes Cemetery

Valentine married Magdalena Naffziger on 19 Mar 1847 in Woodford Co., IL. Magdalena (daughter of Jacob Naffziger (Nafsinger) and Barbara Krehbiel) was born on 24 Aug 1827 in GR; died on 2 Apr 1908 in Eureka, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 201
• Immigration: 1833

Notes:

1st husband: Valentine Birky
Children: Valentine, Magdalena, & 3 others
2nd husband: married Rev. Christian Ropp on 9/14/1869

Immigration:
With parents

Died:
Obit in Gospel Herald, Vol. l, No. 3, April 18, 1908, p. 47

Buried:
Roanoke 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)

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Minister
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Accident
• Immigration: 21 Dec 1830, NY
• Ordained: Abt 1840, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: El Paso Journal, March 10, 1888:
"Jacob Nafsinger, better known as 'Grandpa Nafsinger,' died at the residence of his son-in-law Peter Roth, Monday, in the 90th year of his age. Mrs. Peter Roth and Mrs. John Baughman, Sr. of Panola; Mrs. Engel and Mrs. Gingerich of Metamora, and Peter Nafsinger of Delavan are the surviving children. Father Nafsinger was highly respected by all his acquaintances, and was among the early settlers of this county. Thus one by one, but in rapid succession, the pioneers of old Woodford are entering into rest. The funeral occurred Thursday and the remains were interred in Baughman Cemetery."

Obit: Herald of Truth Vol XXV, No 6 15 March 1888
Naffzinger - On the 5th of March, in Woodford county, Ill of the infirmities of old age, Pre Jacob Naffziger, aged 89 years, 5 months and 2 days. Before his death he wanted to visit one of his neighbors near by. In trying to cross a fence he fell on his face, and in this position he was found and carried home, and thus, without apparently suffering much pain he passed peacefully away. 

At his burial on the 8th a large number of relatives and friends assembled to pay the dear departed brother their last respects. He was a faithful worker in the Amish Mennonite church, and leaves 2 sons and 5 daughters and many grand-children. 
Funeral services by Christian Ropp, John P. Schmidt and Joseph Rediger, at the school house.

(Note: These two obituaries do not match information—are they the same person?)

Birth:
Near Worms

Immigration:
Ship DeRham

Ordained:
Jacob was ordained as a minister for the Partridge Creek congregation in Illinois in ca 1840.

Buried:
Baughman Cemetery

Jacob married Barbara Krehbiel on 22 Aug 1822 in Weitersweiler, Palatinate, GR. Barbara was born on 24 Oct 1795 in Weitersweiler, Palatinate, GR; died on 10 Feb 1876 in Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, April 1876:
"Feb. 10th, in Woodford Co., Ill., Sister Barbara Naffzinger, at the advanced age of 80 years, 4 months and 16 days, eight days previous to her death she attended meeting; her seat now is vacant, but she will occupy a seat in the heavenly mansions, to which she looked forward with an eye of faith. Services by Christian Rupp, and J. P. Schmitt, from 1 Cor. 15."

Buried:
Baughman Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• EARL: Y
• Reference Number: 35
• Religion: Anabaptist
• Residence: Unterdiessen, GR
• USR1: From A Fall

Notes:

The grandfather of the Big Birkeys (who immigrated to Illinois) died at Bitche  at 7 a.m. 26 Thermidor 5 - Aug. 13, 1797 (we had circa 1800). The 10 a.m. entry describes him as Christian Bircki, 38, husband of Barbe Koch, of la cense de la Rosselle. Witnesses were his father-in-law Christian Koch, anabaptiste de Gendersberg, 65; and Jacques Berguste, secretary of the municipality, 36.

Christian and Barbara/Barbe were residents of a 297-acre farm called Freydenberg in the neighborhood/parish of La Rosselle within Bitche [Fr. la cense de la Rosselle dit Freydenberg]. Up until the early 20th century potatoes were raised there and processed through a distillery.   

BITCHE
Bitche is the site of an historic fortress [Fr. Citadelle de Bitche], standing 250 feet over the town.  It was constructed in 1624. Beginning in 1744 army officer Louis de Cormontaigne rebuilt it to be self-sustaining with its own water supply.  On Nov. 17, 1793 a 739-man garrison held off an assault by 1,200 Prussian troops.  The siege is found in military histories as an engagement in the First Battle of Wissembourg. 

During the Napoleonic wars the citadel was used to confine prisoners of war.  It was common to see them marched to the citadel in chain gangs.  Officer prisoners under guard were routinely permitted to leave the citadel and purchase food at the town's markets.  Accounts of imprisonment there can be found online in Edward Fraser's Napoleon the Gaoler; Personal Experiences and Adventures of British Sailors and Soldiers during theGreat Captivity (1914).   During Napoleon's 100 days in 1815, the French commander repulsed a siege by Austrian troops. 

Residence:
Tafernwirt

Died:
Petite-Rosselle (La-Rosselle) Christian died at Bitche at 7 a.m. 26 Thermidor 5 - Aug. 13, 1797. He is described as Chistian Bircki, 38, husband of Barbe Koch, of la cense de la Rosselle. Witnesses were his father-in-law Christian Koch, anabaptiste de Gendersberg, 65; and Jacques Berguste, secretary of the municipality, 36.

Christian married Barbe Koch about 1781. Barbe (daughter of Christian Koch and Madeleine Martin) was born about 1768; died on 28 Dec 1834 in Heimberg, Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes:

Married:
bei Augsburg

Notes:

“General Notes: Died alone and forsaken by all of his children and numerous step-children from four marriages, all of whom had emigrated to America.”

Birth:
Near Worms, Russia

Died:
at their home Klostergasse (monastery lane)

Valentin married Magdalena Spring on 12 Jul 1804 in Hochheim, GR. Magdalena (daughter of Johannes Spring and Mrs. Elizabeta Spring) was born about 1766 in Hochheim, GR; died on 9 Mar 1806. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]