Amos Yordy

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer At “Little Valley Farm”

Notes:

Born, raised, married and lived as a farmer/minister in Woodford Co., IL.

Buried:
Church of the Brethren Cemetery

Amos married Jessie Mabel Switzer on 21 Jul 1912 in Woodford Co., IL. Jessie was born on 21 Feb 1887 in IL; died in Mar 1977 in Theodosia, Ozark Co., MO; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Ruth Yordy was born in 1914 in Woodford Co., IL.
2. Robert Yordy was born on 3 Oct 1916 in Woodford Co., IL; died in May 1978 in Midland, Midland Co., TX.
3. Ruby Yordy
4. A. Rachel Yordy
5. Martha Yordy
6. Marvin R. Yordy was born on 21 Nov 1927 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL; died on 13 Jul 2015 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried on 18 Jul 2015 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Gospel Herald, October 26, 1922, page 591
Yordy. - Christian Yordy, son of Peter and Mary Yordy was born near Pekin, Ill., July 29, 1848; died at his home near Roanoke, Ill., July 10, 1922; aged 73 y. 11 m. 11 d. Oct. 4, 1874, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony to Salome Slagel of Livingston Co., Ill. Ten children were born to them, of whom 4 died in infancy. He leaves his sorrowing companion, 2 sons, and 4 daughters (Amos, Joel, Salome Woodward, Leah Armstrong, Laura Bryant, and Lizzie). All were present at his death except Salome. He also leaves 18 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 3 sisters and many nieces and nephews. At the age of 19 he united with the A. M. Church and remained faithful to the end. In his younger years he was active in church work. Funeral services were held at the home by Bro. Peter Garber and at the Roanoke Church by Bros. C. S. Shertz and A. A. Schrock. Interment in the cemetery nearby.

Local Newspaper Obit: (from Carol Heilman)
The funeral of Christian Yordy was held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the farm home, two miles east of town, to the Church of the Brethren. Interment was made at church cemetery. Mr. Yordy passed away July 1, after an illness of several months. He was aobut 75 years of age and is survived by his wife, two sons, Amos and Joel both living on farms near Roanoke, and Salome, living in Arizona.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Christian married Salome (Sally) Slagel on 4 Oct 1874 in Livingston Co., IL. Salome (daughter of Bishop Christian Schlegel and Salome Sommer) was born on 6 Sep 1855 in Pekin, Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; died on 21 Feb 1938 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Obit:
Yordy. ? Salome, daughter of Christian and Solome (Somer) Slagel, was born Sept. 6, 1855, near Pekin, Ill.; died at her home 1 _ miles east of Roanoke, Ill., Feb. 21, 1938; aged 82 y. 5 m. 16 d. In her girlhood her parents moved to north of Chenoa, Ill. She united with the Mennonite Church in October, 1870, in which faith she remained until death. Oct. 4, 1874, she was married to Christian Yordy. To this union were born 10 children, 4 dying in infancy and Laura Bryant on June 1, 1929. Those living are Salome Burchey, Tiskilwa; Leah Armstrong, Secor; Joel of Heyworth; Amos of Roanoke; and Lizzie at home. There are 24 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 1 brother (D. W. Slagel, Flanagan, Ill.), 1 sister (Lydia Smith, Goshen, Ind.), many nephews and nieces and friends to mourn her death. Funeral services were held at the home and at the Roanoke Mennonite Church, conducted by John L. Harnish and Ezra B. Yordy. Text, Job 14:14. Interment in the adjoining cemetery.

Buried:
Ezra Yordy, nephew, preached the funeral service at Roanoke Mennonite Church.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: 1817, Munich, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: Abt 1820, Köfering, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1836, Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR
• Immigration: 17 Sep 1838, New York
• Residence: 1839, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1850, Tazewell Co., IL
• PURC: 30 Jan 1852, Tazewell Co., IL
• Census: 1860, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
• Undefined: 1863
• PURC: 10 Feb 1865, Nebraska Twp., Livingston Co., IL
• PURC: 1866, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Residence: 1867, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1870, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• Census: 1880, Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

The Jordi family ancestral village is Steinen, Switzerland. Jordi/Jordy= Jordan/Jordanus, a first name from the times of the Crusades.
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Obit:
“Peter Yordy was born June 12, 1815 in Alsace, France according to his headstone. However, according to official documents, he was born July 26, 1815.
Civil Register, Windstein, Alsace, France (FHL Microfilm #1069482)states "7/26/1815 Pierre Jordi (masculine)born 2 a.m., son of Jacques Jordi (37, Laboureur) and Catharine Schantz of Jaegerthal near Windstein. Witnesses Jean Wolber and Pierre Mathis."

In about 1819, Peter's family moved to Munich, Bavaria, Germany [ Woodford County Tax Records, 1868 located at the Illinois Mennonite Historical Society, Metamora, IL]. He grew up about 20 miles south of Munich. Peter had one known sister, Jacobina aka Philabena. It is possible that Peter had a second sister named Elizabeth, who emigrated to the US in 1849 and married Peter Gerber in 1850. Peter also had at least one brother, Christian Yotty, who emigrated with his future wife Katherina Stalter.

Peter Emigrated in 1838. Peter "Jordte" or "Jodte" from France arrived in New York on the packet ship "Charles Carroll" from Le Havre on September 17, 1838. On the passenger list immediately before Peter's name is the name of Joseph "Heser" (Heiser, 20) and Andrew Burkey (29). Heiser and Burckey were from Hanfield, about 20 miles south of Munich. 

While there is little record of Peter's life immediately after his arrival in Illinois in 1839, it is likely that he worked within the Amish community for an established Amish farmer as a laborer. 

On February 9, 1847, Peter married Miss Mary Birkey, a Mennonite woman with a 9 year-old son, John Horn, at the Dillon Creek Congregation in Tazewell County. Peter and Mary had 8 additional children.

Peter and family lived in Tazewell County until 1867 when they moved to Woodford County, residing 2 miles east of Roanoke on Panther Creek. 

Peter was a member of the Roanoke Mennonite Church and the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren. He was very interested in education and sponsored an English class for Amish children in his home.

Peter died on July 2, 1897 and was buried in the Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery.”
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In 1866 Peter purchased 200 acres of land from Andrew Johnson and his wife in Woodford Co. for $8000.

Peter Yordy hosted a private German school, conducted by the one-armed teacher Christian Erismann (1835-1904), in his home from 1870 to 1871.,

Peter’s probate record lists as heirs the following: Lizzie Bachman, Mary Orendorff, Chris Yordy, Jacob K. Yordy, Joseph Yordy, Barbara Yordy, Peter Yordy, Lizzie Erb, Bella Schrock, David Yordy, Mary Zimmerman, Simon Yordy, John E. Yordy, Emma Swartzendruber and Fannie Yeakley--seven of his own children and eight children of John Yordy, Mary’s son from her first husband.

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“He (Peter) arrived from the Dillon Creek congregation and he joined the Roanoke Mennonite Church, but was [also] active in the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren....Several of Peter’s descendants are buried in the Panther Creek Cemetery. Peter’s great great grandson, Peter Yordy, was the pastor of the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in 2004.”
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“Peter Yordy (b. 1815) died in 1897 when Amos Yordy, son of Christian, was 13 years old.  The Amos Yordy from northern Illinois was, of course much older (46).  However, I find it highly unlikely that Amos Yordy of northern Illinois had any financial dealings with Peter Yordy (b. 1815).  I have tried to find any kind of evidence of interaction between the Yordy's of northern Illinois and Peter Yordy (1815-1897) and have come up empty.  So it would surprise me if Amos Yordy of northern Illinois had any involvement with Peter Yordy's death in 1897.
 
On the other hand, Peter Yordy Jr. was killed when struck by lightening while picking grapes at the farm of his nephew, Amos Yordy, son of Christian Yordy and Salome Slagel.  Such a death may well have prompted an inquest and Amos may well have incurred some expense since it happened on his farm.  Peter Jr. was moderately mentally retarded.  His sister Barbara was mildly retarded, or at least, mentally unstable. Both were cared for by their parents well into their adult lives.  Peter and Mary deeded their home place to Peter Jr. and Barbara to assure that the children had sufficient assets of their own, and a place to live after Peter and Mary's deaths.
 
In 1901, after Peter Sr.'s death, and with Mary being quite old and apparently senile, and on the brink of death, the Yordy children went to court and had Peter Jr. declared legally incompetent.  The court order described Peter Jr. as "distracted".  The court named his uncle, Christian Bachman (husband of Elizabeth Yordy) as his guardian or conservator [Case file reviewed at Woodford County Courthouse].  Christian Bachman remained Peter's conservator until Peter died in 1909.  Peter was obviously not competent to have a will.  His estate was eventually divided amongst his surviving siblings and the children of his deceased half-brother, John Birky Yordy, who had died in Nebraska on December 31, 1906.
 
In 1915, Peter's sister, Barbara, was also declared mentally incompetent ("distracted").  Her brother, Christian Yordy, was named her conservator until his death in 1922.  At that time, Christian's son, Amos, took over as guardian for a short time. Later, Joseph Yordy's son (and Barbara's nephew) Ezra Yordy acted as her guardian until her death in 1943 [Barbara Yordy Guardianship Procedures, Woodford County Courthouse].
 
Based on the above facts, I believe it more likely that the Peter Yordy estate in question is the estate of Peter Yordy Jr.  And the "Amos Yordy" in question is the son of Christian Yordy and Salome Slagel and the grandson of Peter Yordy. 
 
I have not been able to find a thing on Peter Yordy (Sr.'s) death in 1897.  I have been to the Woodford County Courthouse searching for a death certificate, estate file, obituary, or ANYTHING that would give me some information, but have found nothing on the deaths of Peter Yordy in 1897 or Mary Yordy in 1902.  My belief is that they had transferred all of their assets to their children before they died in return for care during their senior years.  This was apparently a common practice among Amish/Mennonites at the time and was very common among members of the Church of the Brethren (which Peter and Mary attended in their later years).  Such an arrangement avoided probate, etc. I also suspect their funerals were conducted at the Church of the Brethren. It was located less than a mile from their home east of Roanoke. That might explain the total absence of historical documents on their deaths in the Roanoke Mennonite Church records, and the absence of any obituary (which was frowned upon by the Brethren Church.”
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According to Gary Yordy, a family story says that John's father was a German army officer. "It is possible that John B. Yordy's relationship to Peter Yordy as a foster son would have remained a family secret, were it not for the fact that John's daughter, Fannie Yordy, decided to marry Peter Yordy's nephew, Joseph Yeackley."

"In about 1883, Peter and Mary temporarily moved to the home of their daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff in Flanagan. Their Roanoke farm home was occupied by their son Christian and his family at the time while a second smaller home was built on the farm for Peter and Mary. In 1884, Peter and Mary moved in to the new home at Roanoke and were shortly joined by his niece, Barbara Jordy and her son, Chris H.--recently arrived from Bavaria." (Gary Yordy)
 
The family is found on the 1850 census of Tazewell County as farmer Peter Yatty, 45, Germany; Mary, 34, Germany; John, 12, Germany; Christian, 2, Illinois; and Mary, 1, Illinois. The proximity of neighbor Uriah Crosby suggests their first homestead was in the northern half of Morton.

“Peter paid $1,400 for 154 acres of land Jan. 30, 1852. The land came in three parcels: two totaling 85 acres in south-central Groveland, and another 70 acres in north-central Elm Grove.

The household of Peter and Mary can be found on the 1860 census of Elm Grove as farmer Peter 'Yarty,' 54 [he was actually 45], born in France; Mary, 49 [she was actually 44], born in Bavaria; John, 21, born in Bavaria; Christian, 11, Illinois; Mary, 10, Illinois; Jacob, 7, Illinois; Elizabeth, 4, Illinois; Philip [Peter Jr.], 3, Illinois; and Joseph, 2, Illinois. Their neighbors (Joseph Heiser, Joseph Ropp, Samuel King, Peter and Christian Gerber) indicate that they probably lived on the north side of Allentown Road, across from Joseph Heiser. The property must have been sold before 1864; the plat map published in that year does not show a Yordy property.

On Feb. 10, 1865, Peter purchased 80 acres of land at Nebraska Township (later Flanagan), Livingston County. The farm was cultivated by John Birkey Yordy 1865-71, then occupied by daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff, while John moved to Lombardville, Stark County.

In 1867 the family moved onto a 200-acre farm on Panther Creek at Roanoke, Woodford County. It was located about 3.5 miles north of Christian's farm. The household is found on the 1870 census of Roanoke as farmer Peter 'Yottey,' 54, Bavaria; Mary, 53, Bavaria; Christian, 22, Bavaria [Illinois]; Mary, 20, Bavaria [Illinois]; Jacob, 17, Ohio; Elizabeth, 16, Ohio; Peter, 14, Ohio; Joseph, 12, Illinois; and Barbara, 7, Illinois. Peter joined the Roanoke Mennonite Church, but also attended services at the nearby Panther Creek Church of the Brethren.
The 1880 census of Roanoke shows them as 'Peter Yordie,' a 65-year-old farmer born in France, of parents born in France; and Mary, 64, born in Bavaria, of parents born in France. Children living with them include Elisabeth, 25; Peter, 24; Joseph, 23; and Barbara, 19. Mary can be found as an 84-year-old widow on the 1900 census of Roanoke, living with children Peter, 44, and Barbara, 39. On that form Mary (or someone in her stead) stated that she was born in Germany of French parents, and that she came to America in 1847. In about 1884, Peter and Mary moved into the household of their daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff at Flanagan. The Roanoke farm was occupied by son Christian and his family. “
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In December 2007, genealogist Joseph Staker discovered the historic record of Peter’s immigration to America.

Twenty-three-year-old “Peter Jordte” or “Jodte” from France emigrated to New York. He arrived on the packet ship, Charles Carroll, which arrived from Le Havre on September 17, 1838. This individual’s name falls directly in a crease in the paper, making it difficult to read clearly. On the passenger list immediately before Peter’s name is the name of Joseph “Heser” (20) and Andrew Burkey (29) and his wife, Barbara (29) and son Joseph (2). These people are thought to be Joseph Heiser; Andrew Burcky (son of Andrew Birki and first cousin of Peter Yordy’s future wife, Mary Birkey Yordy) and his wife, Barbara Eyer/Oyer and their son, Joseph. Joseph Heiser had lived at Hanfeld, and Andrew Burcky had lived at Söcking. The two villages are adjacent and the town squares only two miles apart, very near Starnberg, and approximately 20 miles south of Munich. The fact that Peter, Joseph, and Andrew emigrated together suggests that they knew each other prior to the trip. Further credence is leant to this theory by their actions after arriving in Illinois. In the 1855 Tazewell County Census and the1860 US Census, Peter, Joseph, and Andrew were all next-door neighbors in Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County.

Birth:
At 3 a.m. Near Windstein - The birth was witnessed by Jean Walter and Pierre Mathis. Birth date from family records is 12 Jun 1815 , and is inscribed on his gravestone.

Residence:
With his parents, “about 20 miles south of Munich”

Residence:
Peter Jordy and wife, with 2 Children homeless-I think he stay short in Hahnfeld and moved from here to USA in 1838 (H. Holly)

Residence:
Near Starnberg

Immigration:
from Hanfeld, Bavaria, GR, to France, where he boarded the packet ship “Charles Carroll” from Le Have on September 17 1838. Peter was accompanied by Andrew Burcky and Joseph Heiser from Söcking and Hanfeld. On the passenger list, the name immediately after that of 'Joseph Heser' falls on a crease. The National Archives and FHL reproduction microfilms appear to say 'Peter Jodte,' age 23.

Residence:
A family story says that Peter worked on the Mississippi River before coming to Illinois. According to Harry Weber in Centennial History of the Mennonites in Illinois, he arrived on Partridge Creek in 1839. 

Census:
Peter age 35, Mary age 34, and children John 12, Christian 2, and Mary 1, were farming.

PURC:
Peter paid $1,400 for 154 acres of land Jan. 30, 1852. The land came in three parcels: two totaling 85 acres in south-central Groveland, and another 70 acres in north-central Elm Grove.


Their neighbors (Joseph Heiser, Joseph Ropp, Samuel King, Peter and Christian Gerber) indicate that they probably lived on the north side of Allentown Road, across from Joseph Heiser. The property must have been sold before 1864; the plat map published in that year does not show a Yordy property.

Census:
Peter Yorty age 54 [he was 45], farmer b. France; Mary age 49 [she was 44], b. Bavaria; John age 21, farmer, b. Bavaria; Christian age 11, b. IL; Mary age 10, b. IL; Jacob age 7, b. IL; Elizabeth age 4, b. IL; Philip age 3 [Peter Jr.], b. IL; Joseph age 2, b. IL. Lived next to Joseph Hieser and Joseph Ropp.

Undefined:
Peter paid $100 to purchase release of his step son John from military service in the Civil War.

PURC:
On Feb. 10, 1865, Peter purchased 80 acres of land at Nebraska Township (later Flanagan), Livingston County. The farm was cultivated by John Birkey Yordy 1865-71, then occupied by daughter Mary and her husband Daniel Orendorff, while John moved to Lombardville, Stark County.

PURC:
200 acres from Andrew Johnson and his wife for which he paid $8000.

Residence:
From Ten Mile Creek in Tazewell Co.

Census:
Peter Yottey age -54, wife Mary age - 53; children:

Census:
Peter, Mary, and children, Elisabeth, Peter, Joseph and Barbara.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Peter married Maria (Mary) Birky on 9 Feb 1847 in Tazewell Co., IL. Maria (daughter of Christian Birki and Maria Anna Gascho) was born on 18 Apr 1816 in Bavaria, GR; died on 13 May 1903 in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Immigration: 17 Jun 1844, Le Havre to New York

Notes:

The book 'The Past and Present of Woodford County' spells Mary's name Burkey. Mary is the Maria Birkey Yordy, of whom Myrna Slagell Park says , "During pioneer days in Tazewell County, Illinois, Maria Birkey Yordy (1816-1903) cooked a mixture she called 'pap,’ given to sickly infants with feeding problems. This remedy supposedly saved some babies not expected to survive. The recipe was handed down within the family."

Mary Birky had a son before she married Peter Yordy--named John. (John b. Oct 23, 1838. He married Magdalena King (b. 1842) in 1862. They had 13 children.) She arrived in New York on the ship Baltimore on June 14,1844 with her son from a previous relationship, Johann Horn (who would later be known as John Birkey Yordy)." 

Peter and Mary can be found on the 1880 census of Roanoke as 'Peter Yordie,' a 65- year-old farmer born in France, of parents born in France; and Mary, 64, born in Bavaria, of parents born in France; and four children. Mary can be found as an 84-year-old widow on the 1900 census of Roanoke, living with children Peter, 44, and Barbara, 39. Mary stated that she was born in Germany of French parents, and that she came to America in 1847 [actually it was 1844].

“On February 9, 1847, two and one-half years after arriving in America, Mary married Peter Yordy. That marriage occurred within the Dillon Creek Amish Congregation in Tazewell County, Illinois. A recently identified 1845 Tazewell County Census sheds light on her life between her arrival in Illinois and her marriage to Peter.

In 1845, thirty-year-old Mary “Burgie” resided with a male under 10 years of age (John Horn Birkey) as the head of the household in Tazewell County. Also in the household are a female aged 10-20 and a female under 10 years of age.24 The identity of these two females is unknown. It is probable that the two women were boarders. The listing of Mary as the “Head of Household” suggests that Mary emigrated with significant funds consistent with the relative wealth of her father, Christian Birki. Triangulation of neighbors suggests that after their marriage, Peter and Mary lived in the home where Mary was living in 1845.

Peter Yordy’s wife, Maria Birki (Mary Birkey), and her six-year-old son, John Horn, emigrated in 1844. They traveled with Mary’s brother, Joseph, their cousin, Catherine Kettner, and Peter Zehr on the ship, Baltimore, which arrived in New York from Le Havre on June 14, 1844.23

Immigration:
Mary “Burge” with son Johann Horn on the ship Baltimore (New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, 1844, June 17, Baltimore, p.4)
Also on the ship were Peter Zerr 25; Jospeh Burger 26; Catharina Kunder 27.

Buried:
Roanoke Mennonite Cemetery

Notes:

Married:
In the Amish Dillon Creek congregation.

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Occupation: Farmer, minister, bishop
• Religion: Mennonite

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, December 1884
“On the 26th of November, in Livingston Co., Ill., of cancer of the stomach, Bishop Christian Schlegel, aged 65 years and 9 months. The funeral was very largely attended. Services were held by Joseph Griester [Grieser?], Andrew Rhodes of Tazewell Co., John P. Schmitt and Christian Rhodes. Bro. Schlegel bore his sufferings with much patience. He leaves a widow and eleven children to mourn his departure. The deceased was a bishop in the Amish Mennonite Church. He administered with the gift he had received from God.”

Birth:
birthplace according to the 1880 census

Died:
FAG date 1883

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Christian married Salome Sommer on 16 May 1842 in Tazewell Co., IL. Salome (daughter of Ulrich Sommer and Barbe Guengrich (Guerich)) was born on 1 Jul 1819 in Neuviller-la-Roche, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 20 Jul 1890 in Pike Twp., Livingston Co., IL; was buried in Flanagan, Livingston Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1836

Notes:

Obit: Herald of Truth, Vol. XXVII, Number 15, August 1, 1890, pages 237 and 238
SCHLEGEL. On the 20th of, in Livingston Co., Ill., of infirmities, Salome, widow of the late Bish. Christian Schlegel, aged 71 years, 1 month and 3 days. Buried on the 22d. A large number of friends and acquaintances from near and far assembled at her burial. Services at the house of her son-in-law, August Albrecht, where she had spent the last days of her life, by Daniel Orendorff from Psa. 90, and at the meetinghouse by Joseph Ackermann, Daniel Orendorff and John P. Schmitt from 1 Cor. 15: 120. In the last week of her life Sister Schlegel became weaker and weaker in body and mind, and at last the Lord took her home, thus fulfilling a wish she had often expressed, at the close of the funeral services the beautiful hymn way sung, ''I'm going home to die no more.''
She was a faithful member of the Old Amish Mennonite church, and leaves 11 children, 46 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Four children preceded her.
Transcriber's note: the phrase "way sung" is transcribed as it appeared.

Her parents lived on the farm called Sommerhof.

Birth:
Sommerhof. (FAG gives date as 17 Jan 1819)

Buried:
Waldo Cemetery

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Cultivator. He was described as “a plowman on the Raderhoff.”
• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Lived on the Raderfoff at Dambach, Lower Alsace for the birth of their child, Christian, in 1809. They settled at Jaegerthal, adjacent to Windstein, Lower Alsace circa 1814. While they were there, two more children were registered at Windstein in 1815 and 1818.


“With the exception of the years 1814-1818, little is known of the lives of Jakob Jordi, son of Johannes Jordy and Barbara Esch. Birth records of his children tell us that he was married to Catherina Schantz. Her ancestry is uncertain, but she may have been a daughter of Christian Schantz and Anna Rubi of the Heiligenbrunerhof near Lembach. To date, no historic record of the marriage of Jakob and Catherina has been located. We also know that through this period, the couple lived at Jaegerthal, France. Jaegerthal is the site of an iron foundry (first built in 1602) and an adjacent estate. It could not even be called a “village”. It would more appropriately be referred to as a commune located approximately one mile south of the village of Windstein, France. It appears that Jakob Jordi began as a day laborer on the estate at Jaegerthal. He apparently worked in the agricultural endeavors at Jaegerthal (rather than the foundry) as he was described as a “cultivator” or farmer on Jacobina’s birth registry.

“From the historic records thus far identified, it appears that Jakob and Catharina resided somewhere other than the Jaegerthal/Windstein region prior to 1814. During this time, their son, Christian, and possibly a son, Jakob (father of Barbara Yordy Eigsti), were born. The historic record suggests they left Jaegerthal shortly after the birth of daughter, Jacobina, in 1818. According to their son, Peter Yordy, they moved to a location “about 20 miles south of Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Though the sight has not yet been located, Peter’s immigration record suggests it may have been near Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg). “ [probably Socking or Hanfeld]


Grünthal on August 18, 1874: With the return of the received letter from the royal District Office Hemau from the 4th of the month with the subject is reported as follows on the basis of the declaration of the farm owner Jakob Jordy from the Pentlhof:  1) From 1841 to 1853, the intended Jordy was 12 (?) years old as an economic tenant with Mr. Neuffert in Eichhofen. 2) His children born in Eichhofen are: a Maria Jordy b. on January 8, 1842 b) Elisabetha Jordy on September 15, 1844 c) Magdalena Jordy on September 25, 1847 d) Anna Jordy on February 16, 1849 e) Jakob Jordy on October 5th, 1852 f) Barbara Jordy on December 14, 1853 drawn to the most gracious awe Stadtamhof on August 20, 1874 Lehnert There is still to be researched when Jakob married Jordy and where he lives.

Birth:
Birth document of Peter says Jacob was 37.

Jakob married Catharina Schantz on 31 Jan 1803. Catharina (daughter of Johannes Schantz and Magdalena Stutz) was born before 1811. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Schoenenbourg, Bas-Rhin, FR

Notes:

Shantz, a Swiss Mennonite family name, is mentioned among the Anabaptists as early as 1541 in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. In 1567 a Hans Tschantz of Kiesen, canton of Bern, was imprisoned for his faith. In the first part of the 18th century members of the family moved to the Bernese Jura district, as well as to Montbéliard and Alsace. In 1824 a Johannes Tschantz and his son Abraham left their Jura home and settled in the Sonnenberg district in Wayne County, Ohio, where some of their descendants still live.
As of 1959, the family name Shantz had only a few representatives left among Mennonites in Europe. The name was represented in Pennsylvania as early as 1737 when Jacob Schantz immigrated to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Hans Tschantz was the third bishop in the colonial Mennonite settlement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is known that he was active ca. 1742; a cemetery plot donated by him remained named "Hans Tschantz cemetery." Since 1800 Shantz has also been a prominent family in the Mennonite Church (MC) in Ontario. The following is a small list of ordained men bearing the name Shantz who have served as bishops in the church: Henry Shantz (1864-77), who served the Detweiler congregation from 1842; Israel R. Shantz (1863-1910), who moved from Waterloo to Carstairs, Alberta ca. 1903; Moses H. Shantz (1884-1938) at Blenheim, Ontario, who for many years was also the moderator of the Ontario Conference (MC) and was for some time the president of the Mennonite Publication Board; Benjamin B. Shantz (b. 1880), who served at the Hagey congregation; Stanley D. Schantz (b. 1914), who served in Guernsey, Saskatchewan. Preachers included Merle Shantz, who served at the Wanner congregation, Ontario and Irwin Schantz, who served in Loman, Minnesota. Jacob Y. Shantz was a prominent layman (MC) in Kitchener, Ontario, joining the Mennonite Brethren in Christ Church ca. 1875 when it was started. John Schantz (1774-1855) and his son Joseph (1814-81) were ministers in the Upper Milford, Pennsylvania congregation which joined the Oberholtzer group (the forerunner of the General Conference Mennonite Church [GCM]) in 1847. J. W. Schantz (1878-1916) was a GCM minister at Schwenksville, Pennsylvania and Zion at Souderton, Pennsylvania, 1907-1916.

An Amish branch of the family came to North America ca. 1768. Joseph Schantz (1749-1810), who changed his name to Johns, was in Somerset County, Pennsylvania by 1793, and in 1810 founded the city of Johnstown on his land. Some of his descendants moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, where Daniel J. Johns (1850-1942) was an outstanding leader, as were two of his sons, Ira and Otis. Ira S. Johns (1879-1956) was a preacher at the Clinton Frame congregation near Goshen and served for a long time as secretary of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference (MC). Otis N. Johns was bishop of the Beech congregation near Louisville, Ohio, and long serving secretary of the Mennonite Publication Board. Joseph Schantz (1856-1934), a preacher at Ingolstadt, Bavaria, where his father and grandfather had been bishops in the Amish congregation, immigrated to the Midwest United States, finally locating in Wisner, Nebraska and serving the MC congregation there. Two brothers, Daniel and Andrew Schantz, also came with Joseph to the Midwest. Descendents of these three men scattered through Nebraska, Oklahoma and other Midwestern states. Other Amish Schantzes emigrated from Europe to Central Illinois, including Christian Schantz who settled in Tiskilwa ca. 1840, and Jacob Schantz who moved from Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany to Congerville, Illinois in 1847. Peter Schantz (1853-1924), a son of Jacob, was an outstanding leader in the Central Mennonite Conference.

Bibliography
Kauffman, Daniel. Mennonite Cyclopedic Dictionary. Scottdale, PA: Mennonite Publishing House, 1937.

Bender, Harold S. "Shantz (Schantz, Shanz, Tschantz, Johns) family." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1959. Web. 14 Sep 2017. http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Shantz_(Schantz,_Shanz,_Tschantz,_Johns)_family&oldid=119606.

©1996-2017 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.}

Notes:

Married:
11 Pluviose XI

Jacob Jordi, 24,
Resident of Lauterbacher Hof
Parents Johannes Jordi and Barbara Eschin
 
Catharina Schantz
Parents Johannes Schantz and Magdalena Stutz
 
Witnesses Christian Hochstettler, 64, Isaac Hochstettler, 30, and Peter Hochstettler, 30, all of the Lauterbacher Hof..

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: In Europe A Bauer (Farmer), In USA Farmer
• Reference Number: 97
• Religion: Mennonite
• Residence: Bef 1800, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR
• Residence: 1811, Flugelsberg, Bavaria, GR
• PURC: 10 Nov 1815, Arzbach, Bavaria, GR
• Residence: 1818-1824, Pellheim, Bavaria, GR
• Immigration: 13 Mar 1851, Bavaria, GR
• Immigration: 7 Jun 1851, Le Havre to New York
• Census: 1860, Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Of Kirshstockach, Bavaria. Lived first in Odenstockah, near Munich, Bavaria, then moved to Neukirchstock, also near Munich.

According to Hermann Guth's 1989 research, “at 62 years of age Christian applied to emigrate to Illinois on 13 Mar 1851, with his second wife Elizabeth Stalter, age 37. He had 10,000 fl of assets and his wife had an additional 2,225 fl. This was much more than most immigrants had. Traveling with them were Elizabeth 23, Andréas 29, Anna 28, Katharina 17, Veronika 15, from his first wife, and, Jakobine 5, Heinrich 4, Jakob 3, and Helena 6 mo. from his second wife. Christian noted to authorities that several older children were already in America.

Christian's daughter, Barbara Birki, from Kirchstockach (unmarried, but with child, Jacob, whose father was Thomas Luiderer from Putzbrunn) applied on 29 Feb 1849 for permission to emigrate to Illinois. Her father gave approval because she wished to travel with his brother, Valentine Birki from Gern, who was the child's guardian. The document indicated that three brothers/sisters were already in America. Barbara and Valentine planned to travel via Mannheim-Le Havre-New York, with ship agent Karl Dick from Augsburg, but evidently plans changed since they are on the ship list of the Minnesota sailing from Liverpool, England to New York in 1849. Included were Valentine Birki (1794) with niece Barbara and her illegitimate son; Valentine's daughter, Mary Burkey Birky (1833); and Daniel Zehr. “
—————————————————————————————
“Christian Birkÿ, farmer at Mair in KIrchstockach and widower, intends to marry Elisabeth Stalter, forestry farmer’s daughter from Gern, and sought reception into and consent of the community. Since Christian Birkÿ possesses an entire estate, and his future bride brings a dowry of 800 guilders, and their advancement is adequately assured, and they are liable for insignificant debts, we agree to this marriage on behalf of the entire community.
In confirmation of this, Brunnthal the 13th of August 1841, the local authorities of Brunnthal:
Andreas Zimmermann, Georg Fischer[?], Johann Heiss[?]”

“Christian’s assets at the time of immigration were 10,000 fl. and the assets of his children’s mother was a further 2,225 fl. for the children of his first marriage. He emigrate from Bavaria to the New World with one of the higher known fortunes. His brother Valentine also left the Europe with 10,000 fl. Many immigrants left with only a few hundred.”

“In the 1860 Illinois census, Christian and Elizabeth "Berky" are found in Groveland Township where Christian had purchased 120 acres of land in Section 22. Seventy two year-old Christian and 48 year old Elizabeth lived with their children, Henry, Jacob, Helena, Jacobina, and John (born in Illinois after the family arrived). Upon arriving in Illinois, Christian purchased 80 acres of farmland just north of Groveland in Tazewell County. Christian died on February 14, 1866 and was buried on his farm next to Heinrich Stalter, his father-in-law. His son Joseph was appointed administrator of his estate. The estate was valued at $2050.75 plus 120 acres of land valued at $4400. Each child received $264.13 from the estate settlement on 4/15/ 1868. Elisabeth received her widow's share. The last documentation of Elizabeth Stalter "Burky" is in the 1870 Census when she was living in Groveland, Tazewell County with her 5 children, Jacobine, Henry, Jacob, Helena, and John. Elisabeth died on September 24, 1872 and was buried next to her husband and father. In 1875 the children sold the land to Meinrad Biender, reserving one quarter of acre where the cemetery lay. It is now referred to as the “Birki Cemetery”.

Birth:
Near Diemeringen

Residence:
Lutterbacherhof. This is assumed because we know his brother Valentine lived there before going to Bavaria.

PURC:
Near Dachau, borough Rohrmoos. A half farm, the “Pasten estate,” house No. 8. Purchased from Jakob Hiser (Heiser) from Hanfeld, Country Court Starnberg. Size of the half farm was 84 days work and included a potato distillery.

Residence:
Mennonite and partial leaseholder on the grounds of the Pellheim estate of major general Maximilian Graf von Spreti at Arzbach, Bavaria, a few miles north of Dachau.

Immigration:
Applied for emigration

Immigration:
On French Bark, Adhimary (Adhema?), with his second wife and nine children, and Christian’s brother-in-law, Georg Kettner and his family (husband of Maria Birki).
Traveling with Christian and Elisabeth were Andréas (29), Anna (18), Elizabeth (23), Katharina (17) and Veronika (15) -children of Christian and his first wife - and Jakobine (5), Heinrich (4), Jakob (3), and Helena (6 mo.) - children of Christian and Elisabeth. He left capital of10,000 guilders. He deposited 2225 guilders for the children of his first marriage.

Census:
Listed as age 72 with wife Elizabeth, age 48.

Died:
Estate document from Tazewell Co. on file. Burial site is in Section 22 of Groveland Two., Tazewell Co., IL.

Buried:
Birki Cemetery - https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2596053/birki-cemetery/map#share_email

Christian married Maria Anna Gascho about 1815 in Pellheim, Bavaria, GR. Maria (daughter of André Gascho and Anna Zwalter) was born in 1798 in Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died between 1840-1841 in Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“Maria Gajou from Nancÿ in Frankreich”

“Christian's first wife was named Mary [Gascho]. On August 10, 1854, Christian Birky petitioned the court to be named legal guardian of his daughter Fronica (Veronica), as follows:

To the County Court Tazewell County Illinois The undersigned respectfully shows that Fronica Birkey aged seventeen years in January last is a minor heir of his wife Mary deceased and that the said Fronica is his daughter, and that heir aforesaid she is entitled to certain property of about the value of $178---- and he preys that letter of Guardianship may issue to him the said Christian Birkey for his said daughter. Affirmed to this ?? (Signed) Christian Birki before me this 10th day of August, 1854 Jno M Bush.

Also in the file is the Court's Order that appointed Christian the legal guardian of Fronica (Veronica) until she reached the age of 18. This suggests that Mary received a bequest (most likely from her father at the time of his death). Since she had apparently pre-deceased the benefactor, her bequest was divided among her natural children (Mary, Joseph, Magdalena, Barbara, Elizabeth, Andrew, Anna, Catharina, and Veronica). All save Veronica were of the age of majority in 1854. In order for her to collect her property, she needed a legal guardian, and that became her father. The person leaving the bequest may have been of some means since Mary's share was $1602, and an equal amount may well have been left to any of Mary's siblings or their issue. The entire process suggests that Mary Birki's father may have died intestate in Illinois in 1853 or 1854 and it thus may be possible to identify him through probate or other guardian records. “ Gary Yordy (Source: Tazewell County Probate Records, File 11 “Fronica Birkey”)

Notes:

Married:
Arzbach was the name of an estate outlying the village of Pellheim (about 1.7 miles north of the center of Pellheim. It was the site of Schloss Pellheim, the house or palace of a count. The house is now a restaurant. Pellheim was administratively incorporated into Dachau in 1972.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1824

Notes:

Christian + Catherine Ernst. Catherine was born in 1790; died between 1850-1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Censier at Sommerhoff

Notes:

of Neufmaisons, Meurthe.

Birth:
Sommerhoff

Ulrich married Barbe Guengrich (Guerich) on 5 Jan 1795 in Neuviller-la-Roche, Bas-Rhin, FR. Barbe (daughter of Jean Guengrich (Guerich) and Barbe Goldschmitte) was born on 18 Jan 1777 in Bourg-Bruche, Bas-Rhin, FR; died about 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: 1836

Notes:

Residence:
Sommerhof

Emigration:
Three years after death of husband, with three children

Notes:

Married:
Sommerhoff - (witnesses : Jean Sommer 1731-1805 , Christophe Kommer , Jean George Marchal 1748-1825 , Jean Guérich ca 1743-1798 , Christian Sommer ) with