Marie Abresol

Notes:

Husband Joseph Verkler worked at Sarreck mill at Oberstinzel until about 1790 when the family resettled in Hellocourt. Served as municipal official at Hellocourt for several years, signing documents.

Died:
near Hellocourt

Marie married Joseph Verkler on 3 Apr 1777 in Oberstinzel, Fenetrange, Moselle, FR. Joseph (son of Rudolph Verkler (Wurkler) and Barbe Schertz) was born on 23 Sep 1751 in Bébing, Moselle, FR; died on 6 Mar 1815 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Barbe Rupp. Barbe (daughter of Christian Rupp and Magdalena Brachbuhl) was born on 8 Jun 1786 in Saulxures-lès-Nancy, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
(57)

Died:
(57)

Catherine married Christian Pelsy before 1802. Christian (son of Rudolf Pelsy and Anne Zehr (Zeer, Zorny)) was born on 2 Jul 1772 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; died on 10 Jun 1836 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
1777 in the moulin de Sarreck?

Died:
5 Jan 1820 in Azoudange according to source #32

Joseph married Catherine Ringenberg on 9 Feb 1806 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. Catherine (daughter of Jean Ringenberg and Marie Engel) was born on 15 Sep 1788 in Imling, Moselle, FR; died on 26 Sep 1863 in IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbe married Jacob Bachman on 2 Feb 1804 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. Jacob was born on 4 Feb 1775 in Saarland, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jacob married Marie Brachbuhl on 17 Nov 1811 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lived in Hellocourt at time of marriage. de Domvevre (54).

Madelaine married Christian Saltzmann on 16 Apr 1813 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. Christian (son of Joseph Saltzmann and Barbara Litwiller (Lidviller)) was born on 20 Jun 1790 in Denting, Moselle, FR; died on 12 May 1877 in Domevre-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rudolf married Anne Brachbuhl on 27 Mar 1814 in Hellocourt, Maizieres-les-Vic, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Magdalena Gerber. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Marie married Jean Rupp on 22 Apr 1815 in Rehainviller, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, FR. Jean (son of Christian Rupp and Magdalena Brachbuhl) was born on 16 Apr 1794 in Natzwiller, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 14 Dec 1867 in Repaix, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married Pierre Sommer on 20 Apr 1822 in Azoudange, Moselle, FR. Pierre (son of Joseph Sommer and Barbe Martin) was born on 1 Mar 1798 in Bischtroff-Sur-Sarre, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 1 Jan 1880 in Mignéville, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• USR1: Dropsey
• Immigration: 1828, Butler Co., OH
• Residence: 1831, Spring Bay, Washington Twp., Woodford Co., IL
• PURC: 1832, Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Obit: Feb 1873 HofT
In Woodford County, Ill., December, 24th 1872, of dropsy, JOSEPH BALSLY, snr., aged 70 years, 6 months, and 26 days. He leaves a bereaved wife and one son to mourn their loss. Services by Jacob Unzicker, Christian Esh, and Peter Gingerich. Peace to his ashes.


Called “Joe de laRouge” because of his distinctive red hair.
Joe was successful growing clover on his land, which had not been done before in that part of the country.

“As he prospered he continued to buy land. At the time of his death he was the owner of fifteen parcels of land ranging in size from forty acres to three hundred twenty acres.”

“Red Joe’s first wife, who is thought to have been a Schrock, died early after the birth of their son, Christian. According to Tazewell Co. marriage records, he married second on Feb 25, 1840, Barbara Engel, the daughter of Christian Engel and his second wife, Barbara Brunner. According to both Verna Belsly and Ida Belsly, bones of the two wives were interred in the same grave when the graves were moved many years ago a short distance to their present site in the Red Joe Belsly cemetery on Lourdes Road in Worth Township, Woodford Co., IL.”

Joseph (Red Joe) born 28 May 1802 in “Hof Helle Court, France” Lorraine, came to America in 1828, going first to Ohio (according to Verna Belsly in a 1961 letter to H. H. Schrock). He died 1872. His first wife, Barbara Schrock, according to Verna Belsly, died young, sometime after the birth of a child named Christian. He secondly married Barbara Engel (1803-1881), who came to Illinois with her family in 1833. Red Joe was the first Mennonite to settle in Woodford County.

Red Joe amassed a great deal of land (much of it in Marshall County) and left farms in life estates to each of his grandchildren. His favorite grandson, Joseph, received the Red Joe homestead (purchased for $1.25 an acre from the government ), a brick house, now painted white, on Lourdes Road. In the estate file, the name appears as Belsy.

Red Joe’s birthplace, Hellocourt, is today attached to Maizieres Les Vic. (Some say Fribourg) The present structures were built in about 1870 and were used by the Germans in WWI.


Cimetière Anabaptiste-Mennonite de Rhodes - Moselle Jan 4, 2016 post

Some additional information: (Translated by Google)
While their older brothers, Joseph, Jean and Pierre, as well as their sister Catherine emigrated to the us one after the other, Christian, Jacob and Nicolas Pelsy chose to marry and settle in their village of birth. Christian and Nicolas have married two sisters Abresol, Catherine and Barbe, both also of Rhodes. While Jacob has sought his wife, Madeleine Schertz, Meurthe and Moselle to here in the country of baccarat. They're all buried in this cemetery.

While their older brothers Joseph (Red Joe), John and Peter, as well as their sister Catherine emigrated to the USA one after the other, Christian, Jacob and Nicolas Pelsy all chose to get married and settle in their hometown. Christian and Nicolas got married to 2 Abresol sisters, Catherine and Barbe, who were both from Rhodes. As for Jacob, he found his wife Madelaine Schertz in Rehere (Meurthe et Moselle), a village near the town of Baccarat. All of them are burried in the cemetery.

It should be noted the existence in the 19th century on the levee of the pond of the mill (Farm of bachats) of a mill operated by the family Abresol.
This one is now destroyed, only remain the two wheels in the gardens of the field.

Red Joe’s Will
“On July 30, 1872, Red Joe wrote his will. It was a lengthy document covering nine pages 8 1/2 x 11 inches in size. It distributed cash and the approximately two thousand acres of land he owned. His wife Barbara received two thousand acres of land he owned plus her share of all real and personal property allowed by the Statute of the State of Illinois. He left his son Christian one hundred fifty dollars a year for the next twenty years following his death, plus one hundred twenty acres of land. His daughter-in-law Mary, Christian’s wife, received one hundred acres of land. He willed each of his seven living grandchildren the use of land ranging from two hundred to two hundred forty acres. He set other land aside for any unborn grandchildren. Three more were born, two of whom living to adulthood. Unique feature of his will was that no grandchild could own the land but had only a life estate in it. At their death the land had to be passed on to their living heirs. If the grandchildren had no living heirs at their death, the land was to be redistributed among the other grandchildren. He wanted to insure that many more of his descendants would enjoy the fruits of his labors. . . . .Red Joe left a legacy of courage, ambition and success to his son and g grandchildren. His descendants have continued in his example, making the Belsly name something of which to be proud.”

Birth:
Hof Hellocourt, the farm at Chateau Hellocourt. Pierre Pelsy gives the date as 28 May 1802--from Christian Belsley’s hymnbook. Joe Staker has it 28 Mar 1802.

Immigration:
At age 26

Residence:
Settled there in Partridge Creek Amish settement.

PURC:
Purchased from the government for $1.25/acre

Died:
At his death he was one of the richest farmers in the county.

Buried:
Lourdes Rd., Belsley-Kamp Cemetery on Red Joe’s homestead

Joseph married Barbara Schrock (Schrack) before 1834 in Butler Co., OH?. Barbara (daughter of Joseph Schrag (Schrack) and Maria Neuhauser) was born about 1815 in Moselle, FR; died about 1835 in Spring Bay, Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Barbara Engel on 18 Dec 1836 in Woodford Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Bishop Christian Engel and Barbe Brunner) was born on 10 Apr 1803 in LaGarde, Chateau Salins, Moselle, FR; died on 25 Aug 1881 in Spring Bay, Worth Twp., Woodford Co., IL; was buried in Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Pierre Pelsy gives date as 2 (fallmonth November?) 1806--from Christian Belsley’s hymnbook

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Residence: 1830s, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

[Linda Jones’ ancestor.]
Children: Kate, Joseph, Peter, Magdalena and Barbara.

Birth:
Date from Christian Belsley’s hymnbook

Buried:
Belsly-Kamp Cemetery

Johannes married Barbara Roggy on 16 Jul 1837 in Woodford Co., IL. Barbara (daughter of Christian Roggy and Catherine Engel) was born on 15 Aug 1817 in Lorentzen, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 9 Jan 1907 in Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite, Apostolic Christian
• Immigration: 1853, Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Catrina and her first husband, Joseph Lehmann lived at Mouckenhoff, near Saarebourg, in Moselle.

After the death of her second husband, Pierre Abresol, Catrina received an invitation (in July 1851) from her brother, “Red Joe” Pelsy living in America, to come live with him and his family. He offered to let her son Joseph help him with a new house he was thinking of building some day. And he would welcome help on the farm, as he only had one son. Before long, Red Joe went back to France (in 1953) and brought his sister and two of her children to America with him. They stayed with Red Joe and his family until Joseph Leman, her son, was married and able to support them.

This was the fate of many women of that time, who found themselves widowed, often several times over, and without resources to live. Catherine was fortunate to have a brother who had been very successful in America and could offer her this help.

Catrina, her third husband Andrew Schertz, her son, Joseph Lehman, Jr. and his family all left the Partridge Creek Amish Mennonite Church to become a part of the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church.


 

 

Birth:
Date from Christian Belsley’s hymnbook

Immigration:
Stayed with her brother and family until her oldest son married and was able to care for her.

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery

Catherine married Joseph Lehmann on 31 Mar 1834 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. Joseph (son of Christian Lehman and Catherine Gerber) was born on 12 Oct 1801 in Hattigny, Moselle, FR; died on 13 Jun 1837 in Xouaxange, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Pierre Abresol (Abersoll) (Ebersol) on 9 Aug 1838. Pierre (son of Jacob Abresol (Abersoll) (Ebersol) and Marie Farny) was born on 10 Jun 1812 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; died on 31 Mar 1853 in Fribourg, Meurthe, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Andrew Schertz on 27 Jan 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite

Notes:

Buried:
Pelsy family cemetery

Christian married Catherine Abresol on 25 Dec 1838 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. Catherine (daughter of Joseph Abresol and Marie Sommer) was born on 19 Jan 1820 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; died on 25 Jul 1879 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; was buried in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Maurice Hebert

Buried:
Pelsy family Cemetery

Jacob married Madeleine Schertz on 15 Mar 1847 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. Madeleine (daughter of Jean Schertz and Catherine Abresol) was born on 3 Oct 1827 in Recherey, Moselle, FR; died on 1 Jun 1897 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; was buried in Chassey Beaupré, Meuse, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer On The Adelhouse Farm, municipality of Rhodes
• Religion: Anabaptist

Notes:

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery

Nicolas married Barbe Abresol on 25 Apr 1848. Barbe (daughter of Joseph Abresol and Marie Sommer) was born on 18 Oct 1824; died on 8 May 1896; was buried in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“Black Peter” Settled near Roanoke, Woodford, Co., IL

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Religion: Amish, then Apostolic Christian

Notes:

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH VERKLER

JOSEPH VERKLER, WAS BORN NEAR STRASBOURG, GERMANY, IN 1807, THE SON OF
JOSEPH AND KATHARINA RINGENBERG VERKLER. WHEN 21 YEARS OF AGE HE WAS DRAFTED
FOR THE REGULAR ARMY AND AFTER 2-1/2 YEARS OF SERVICE, WENT HOME ON A
FURLOUGH OF TWO WEEKS.

HIS MOTHER AND HIS STEP-FATHER PETER ENGEL, WHOM SHE HAD REMARRIED AFTER THE
DEATH OF HER FIRST HUSBAND, JOSEPH, WERE PREPARING TO EMIGRATE TO AMERICA.
KATHARINA HATED TO LEAVE YOUNG JOSEPH BEHIND AND THROUGH THE AID OF A
FRIENDLY GENDARME ( A FRENCH POLICE OFFICER ), THE YOUTH'S ESCAPE WAS
PLANNED.

IN THE MENNONITE FAITH AT THAT TIME NO MAN WAS PERMITTED TO WEAR A MUSTACHE.
JOSEPH, HOWEVER, BEING A SOLDIER, WORE A MUSTACHE. HIS FIRST MOVE IN
PLANNING TO ESCAPE WAS TO SHAVE OFF HIS MUSTACHE; THEN, BY APPROPRIATING A
FRIEND'S PASSPORT AND USING HIS FRIEND'S NAME JOSEPH GINGERICH, HE WALKED
FROM STRASBOURG TO HAVRE. THERE HE MET SOME MENNONITE FRIENDS, NAUFSINGER BY
NAME, WHO WERE ALSO EMIGRATING TO AMERICA AND HAD IN SOME WAY LEARNED OF HIS
PLAN. WITH THEM HE SET SAIL AND HAD BEEN ON THE OCEAN SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE
HIS FURLOUGH EXPIRED. THIS WAS IN THE WINTER OF 1829. UPON HIS FAILURE TO
REPORT FOR SERVICE, THE GENDARME WHO HAD HELPED HIM TO ESCAPE, NOW
PRETENDING TO BE VERY ANGRY AT NOT FINDING THE YOUTH, SCOLDED HIS MOTHER
SOUNDLY. HAD HER SON JOSEPH BEEN FOUND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN COURT-MARTIALED
AND SHOT. SMALL WONDER THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HE OFTEN DREAMED THAT HE
HAD MET WITH SUCH PUNISHMENT.

JOSEPH LANDED IN NEW YORK CITY AND THEN WALKED TO LANCASTER COUNTY, PENN.,
WHERE HE WORKED FOR $7.00 A MONTH. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER HE CROSSED THE
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS AFOOT. ARRIVING IN BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO, HE SECURED A JOB
AT CUTTING WOOD FOR 25 CENTS A CORD. SIX MONTHS LATER HE STARTED FOR
ILLINOIS WITH HIS ENTIRE SAVINGS OF $100.00. HE MADE THE TRIP BY BOAT DOWN
THE OHIO RIVER THEN UP THE MISSISSIPPI AND ILLINOIS RIVERS TO PEORIA, THEN
CALLED FORT CLARK.

HE WAS MARRIED TO JACOBINA ENGEL ON DEC. 27, 1832 BY REV. CHRISTIAN ENGEL,
WHICH WAS HER FATHER. CHRISTIAN ENGEL WAS A MENNONITE MINISTER WHICH WOULD
BE THE SAME AS BENEDICT WEYENETH IN THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN FAITH.

JACOBINA ENGEL, WAS BORN IN ALSACE-LORAINE, THE DAUGHTER OF CHRISTIAN AND
BARBARA BRUNNER ENGEL. SHE EMIGRATED TO AMERICA WITH HER PARENTS WHEN SHE
WAS QUITE YOUNG. THEY WERE ON THE OCEAN 65 DAYS, BEFORE LANDING IN NEW
ORLEANS AND SETTLED IN METAMORA, ILLINOIS. AT THE AGE OF 21 SHE MARRIED HER
HALF-BROTHER'S STEP-SON, JOSEPH VERKLER. THEIR FIRST HOME WAS A ONE-ROOM
LOG-CABIN ON KICKAPOO CREEK, WEST OF PEORIA.

IN 1834 JOSEPH AND JACOBINA VERKLER MOVED NEAR METAMORA, WHERE THEY CLEARED
SEVERAL TIMBER FARMS. IT WAS AT THIS TIME WHEN JOSEPH BECAME INVOLVED WITH
BENEDICT WEYENETH AND HIS NEW AMISH (NEU TAUFER) MOVEMENT AT THE PARTRIDGE
CREEK CHURCH. IN 1864-1865 JOSEPH BECAME A CITIZENS OF PLEASANT RIDGE
TOWNSHIP NEAR FORREST, ILLINOIS. WHERE HE BOUGHT 800 ACRES OF LAND. IT WAS
HERE THAT THE NORTH SIDE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS STARTED.


110 YEARS OF "NORTH SIDE"
APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH
BY BEN NUSSBAUM


"AS ADDITIONAL FAMILIES MIGRATED TO THE AREA AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROUP
WORSHIP PRESENTED ITSELF AND, UNDER VERKLER'S LEADERSHIP, SERVICES WERE SOON
BEING HELD IN NEARBY HOMES. IF A HOUSE HAPPENED TO BE TOO SMALL THEY WOULD
CONGREGATE IN THE BARN.


ABOUT 1868 OR 1870 A SMALL TWO-ROOM CHURCH WAS BUILT ON VERKLER'S LAND AT
THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE.


BASICALLY THEN, THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE NORTH SIDE. THOUGH THE GROUND
PROVED UNSATISFACTORY, THE BUILDING WAS ADEQUATE UNTIL ABOUT 1875 WHEN THEY
RELOCATED TO A HIGHER ELEVATION BEFORE CONSTRUCTING AN ADDITION.


JOSEPH WOULD SERVE AS THE FIRST MINISTER FOR NORTH SIDE CHURCH, AND LATER
WOULD BE ASSISTED BY RUDOLF LEUTHOLD AND THEN JACOB HONEGGER.


ON SEPT. 7, 1885 JACOBINA VERKLER DIED AND 16 DAYS LATER JOSEPH SEPT. 23,
1885, WOULD FOLLOW HER. THEY WERE BURIED IN THE VERKLER FAMILY LOTS. THE
VERKLER FAMILY NAME IS LONG GONE FROM THIS AREA AND THE FAMILY LOTS IS ALL
THAT WE HAVE LEFT TO REMEMBER THEM BY. WITH OUT JOSEPH VERKLER COMING TO
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, THE CHANCES ARE THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN FAITH WOULDN‚T OF
EITHER.
———
JOSEPH VERKLER‚S OBIT

FAIRBURY BLADE
SEPT. 25 1885

MR. VERKLER, LIVING NORTH OF FORREST, DIED TUES. EVENING. HIS AGED COMPANION
PRECEEDED HIM SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. FUNERAL TODAY AT 2 P.M.


FAIRBURY BLADE
OCT. 2 1885

JOSEPH VERKLER, AFTER A LINGERING ILLNESS OF MANY WEEKS, QUIETLY AND
PEACEFULLY PASSED AWAY AT HIS HOME NEAR FORREST, ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER
23 1885, AGED 78.

HE CAME TO PLEASANT RIDGE NINETEEN YEARS AGO, AND EVER SINCE LIVED IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE HE DIED. ON DECEMBER 27 1832, HE WAS MARRIED, AND LIVED
HAPPILY WITH HIS WIFE UNTIL HER DEATH, SOME TWO WEEKS AGO. NINE CHILDREN, WE
BELIEVE, WERE THE FRUIT OF THIS UNION, OF WHOM EIGHT SURVIVE THEIR PARENTS.
HIS REMAINS WERE INTERRED IN THE FAMILY CEMETERY ON THURSDAY. THE LARGE
ATTENDANCE OF FRIENDS ATTENDED THE UNIVERSAL ESTEEM HE HAD WON, AND
EXPRESSED THE GENERAL SYMPATHY WITH HIS BEREAVED FAMILY. HE DIED AS HE HAD
LIVED, A PURE AND UPRIGHT MAN.

Buried:
Engel Family Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Jacobina Engel. Jacobina (daughter of Bishop Christian Engel and Barbe Brunner) was born on 28 Aug 1813; died in 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery

Jacobina married Bishop Andrew Ropp on 10 Apr 1834. Andrew (son of Andréas Ropp and Elizabeth Eymann) was born on 6 Sep 1807; died on 11 Jun 1890 in Bureau Co., IL; was buried on 13 Jun 1890 in Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Catherine Dettweiler on 23 Apr 1839. Catherine (daughter of Jacob Dettweiler and Magdalena Sommer) was born on 8 Sep 1815 in Diemeringen, Drulingen, Bas-Rhin, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

After her first husband’s death she lived with her brother Joseph in Woodford County, IL.

Birth:
Chateau de Romecourt estate

Died:
Gravestone gives year as 1853

Buried:
Dillon Cemetery, as Mary Verrkler Gingrich

Mary married Joseph Sommer in 1833 in OH. Joseph (son of Joseph Sommer and Anne Marie Goerig) was born on 13 Feb 1807 in Neuviller-la-Roche, Bas-Rhin, FR; died on 25 Aug 1847 in Springfield, OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Joseph Gingerich on 3 Feb 1852. Joseph (son of Jean Gingerich and Ann Marie /Muller Miller) was born on 15 Dec 1804 in Albestroff, Moselle, FR; died on 6 Mar 1875 in Danvers, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Carlock, McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Stayed in Europe.

Notes:

Stayed in Europe.

Notes:

Died:
at home of her daughter Ellen

Buried:
Bright Cemetery

Barbara married Pierre Guerbert on 28 Jul 1837. Pierre (son of Christian Gerber and Marie Eymann (Eimann)) was born on 17 Sep 1811 in FR; died on 26 Jan 1892 in Findlay, Hancock Co., OH; was buried in Findlay, Hancock Co., Big Lick Twp., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The first of the family to come to America. Not known when.Went first to PA, then to OH, where in 1848 he purchased land. He and his wife returned to France to spend their last days and died on the same day, an hour apart.

Family/Spouse: Marie Voissement. Marie died in FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Stayed in Europe. Married two wives, both Catholic. His children were raised Catholic.

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Parmentier. Elizabeth (daughter of Francois Parmentier and Marie Ann Jacquot) was born in 1828 in Domevre-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died in 1894 in Domevre-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Mennonite
• Immigration: 1857, OH

Notes:

BIG LICK TOWNSHIP > Big Lick received its name from the sulphur springs, or Deer Lick, on the farm of Robert Long, in Section 21, a noted resort of hunters throughout the pioneer days, and familiarly known as " The Big Lick." Here the hunter, perched in one of the trees close by, patiently awaited until the shades of evening brought forth his unsuspecting game, The deer would then leave their hiding places and steal through the forest to the lick, and while quietly enjoying the feast would be shot down by the hidden foe. Many deer were killed at this lick by Mr. Long and other well-known hunters during the earlier years of the county's history, while from time immemorial the Indian sportsman pitched his wigwam in the vicinity of this celebrated spot, where his stock of venison could be replenished without much exertion. > Big Lick is around the area of Findlay, Ohio, just south of Toledo.

Buried:
Bright Cemetery

André married Marie Rupp in 1843 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. Marie (daughter of Jean Rupp and Marie Verkler) was born on 9 Oct 1816 in Sarrebourg, Moselle, FR; died on 25 Mar 1895 in Hancock Co., OH; was buried in Findley, Marion Twp., Hancock Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Bright Cemetery

Marie married André Saltzmann in 1843 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. André (son of Christian Saltzmann and Madelaine Verkler) was born on 20 Jan 1820 in Domevre, Luneville, Meurthe, FR; died on 27 Dec 1896 in Hancock Co., OH; was buried in Findley, Marion Twp., Hancock Co., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Cultivator, Living At Rhodes In 1876

Notes:

Christophe followed his father at Bachats, then in 1875 bought the farm Hautes Maisons (High House) in Languimberg.

Christophe, age 44 and living at Rhodes, was a witness to the marriage of Jean Joseph Saltzmann and Elisabeth Saltzmann, identified as an uncle of Jean Joseph.

Family/Spouse: Anne Nafziger. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anne married Jean Schertz (Chertz) on 1 May 1844 in Reherrey, Moselle, FR. Jean was born in 1820; died in 1854. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbe married Christian Zehr (Zert) on 9 Apr 1849 in Mignéville, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR. Christian (son of Nicholas Zehr (Zert) and Marie Verly) was born in 1825 in Arracourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died on 26 Jun 1898 in Repaix, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Barbe Roggy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: East Washington Mennonite Church
• Residence: Marshall Co., IL
• PURC: 1860, Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

Notes:

Christian Belsly, as described by grandson Louis Phillips (in an unpublished ms. later included in John Robert Belsly’s “The Descendants of Joseph “Red Joe” Belsly”)

When I saw “I Remember Mama” some years ago I thought of our Chris. It seemed to me his philosophy of life should be put in print to be remembered over the years. Chris was my grandfather, my mother’s father. That does not lend anything to his stature but it may perhaps explain some of the peculiar things that I do once in a while.

Chris’ father “red Joe” lived to see his section of the country well settled and wealthy and he did much to bring about the change. He came here poor but at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest farmers in the country. This of course was all during the early life of Christ but it had much to do to make its mark upon his life. He soon began to realize that from the possessions his father had he wouldn’t have to work and at the early age of eighteen he decided that a life of leisure was what he should have. “Red Joe’ would have Chris get up every morning and run down to the barn and pump water for the livestock “Red Joe” thought it would make Chris healthy and hardy but it only served to make him rebellious against family discipline and to develop his theory of independence.

Early in his married life Chris trained Mary as few wives were trained. His clothes were always laid out on the bed ready for Chris to put on. If he wanted something at the table he didn’t ask for it. He simply held his knife straight up and Mary would know what he wanted and see that it was started on the way to him. There was no idle chatter at the table when Chris was there but when he was finished with his meals he got up and went into the bedroom—or hammock in the summertime—for a nap. Then the children would cut loose as all children will. Mary and all the children loved Chris but he ruled with an iron hand.

Chris had long anticipated the time when he would have the control and income from his father’s land and it was indeed a blow to his pride to find when “Red Joe’s” will was read that to a large degree he had been bypassed and most of the land was willed to the children of Chris. Of course as all the children were minors Chris was the man who handled the finances. Since he was justified in taking considerable of the income for the care and maintenance of the children, his income was no small item for those days.

Deer Creek, which was Chris’ home town, was quite a baseball town. They had a local team which would play neighboring teams and would take on traveling teams. When this happened they would usually bolster the team with some extra good players from other towns and would often bring out special ones from Peoria if they thought the competition warranted it. The management of the Deer Creek team lined up a game with the Kansas City Gems which was an organization made up of Negro players. For this game the local management secured the talent of some exceptional players and though they didn’t expect to win they didn’t think they would be beaten too badly. The Negro boys were players who were capable of defeating almost any team that most towns would put on the field. Chris, true sportsman that he was, made a trip over to Danvers where the team was playing the day before their game at Deer Creek, saw the manager, and for forty dollars had the assurance that the Gems would lose the game. Then he hurried back to Deer Creek and had no trouble in placing two hundred dollars at even money that Deer Creek would win. That looked fine for Chris except that the Gems won. Since the manager left town before the game was over Chris never did find out how that came about, but it was rumored that another true sportsman had given the manager fifty dollars to win.

Chris would always have the best groomed and well trained horse in the community. Before driving into the business part of town he would pull over to the side of the road and whistle a little tweet, tweet, tweet and sit there until the horse went to the powder room in typical horse manner. The boys in the family had good spirited horses but they wouldn’t be trained like Chris’ horse, much to his chagrin. His work horses were always strong and good pullers and many a time Chris would bet a little on the loads they could pull.

For many years Chris was a member of the school board which ran the rural schools. He was interested because he usually had several children in school. Chris’ children were perhaps a little better students than many who attended the rural schools and were entitled to good grades. However, the fact that Chris was on the school board often brought the complaint from envious neighbors that the good grades were given the Belsly youngsters for that reason. Most of the children received some additional education at Eureka College which was close to the family homestead. The fact that they got along well with their work there would lead one to believe their good grades were justified.

Chris had one story that he told to the school children every time he had a chance. The story was that when he and his father were driving to Chicago one early spring when the roads were pretty well broken up they came to this sign: TAKE CARE OF THE RUT YOU CHOOSE—YOU WILL BE IN IT FOR THE NEXT FIFTY MILES. He would refer to that and then say, “Would that we could say to every young man and every young woman, Take care of the path you choose—you will be in it for the next fifty years. Choose a path of vision and courage with a goal you have to reach for and your life will be a pleasant and profitable adventure.”

————————————————————————————————

Christian was raised by his step-mother, Barbara Engel, and is said to have been a very spoiled person. He never learned how to handle finances, and as a result his father, Joseph, left his estate to Christian’s children.

————————————————————————————————

“In 1860 Christian purchased land near Deer Creek, IL, where he and his wife lived and raised their family. They attended the early East Washington Mennonite Church. They had nine children...When the first son (second grandchild) was born, Grandpa Red Joe drove from his homestead in north Worth Township to see his first grandson. The parents had already chosen a name for the boy, but Grandpa Red Joe said his name is Joseph, so that is what he was named. It was that first grandson who later inherited the Red Joe homestead. When he married Ida Foster they moved to that homestead where they raised their family. From him, the homestead went to his son Maurice and today (1983) Maurice’s son, Clifford owns it.”

————————————————————————————————

“The story of Christian Belsly (1835-1915), the only son of 'Red Joe', illustrates the circular nature of some of the family relationships. 'Red Joe' distrusted his son Christian's easy nature. Relatives considered the only child to be spoiled.

Christian found a prospective wife during a visit to his uncle Peter Schrock at Lemon Township, Butler County. She lived in the next house on Salzman Road. The ceremony was conducted by minister Nicholas Augspurger at Trenton in Butler County Nov. 18, 1856.

'Red Joe' showed his displeasure with his son by declining to present the groom with the customary gift of acreage from the family farm. Christian was forced to make his own living. He and his new wife first lived at Spring Bay, and in 1860 he purchased land in Deer Creek and started his own farm. When Christian's first son was born the following year, 'Red Joe' insisted that his grandson be named Joseph. Christian consented.

When 'Red Joe' died on Christmas Eve 1872, his nine-page will divided his sizable fortune into 33 units that took six years to disperse through the probate process. He chose to leave his widow $2,000 but only 80 of his 2,000 acres. Son Christian, who expected a life of leisure, was left only 120 acres and a payment of $150 a year for 20 years. The family farm on Lourdes Road passed more or less intact to the namesake grandchild.

In the end, Christian and his wife ran a prosperous farm and raised nine children. He served as a school director and commissioner of highways in Deer Creek. He and his wife are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery at Deer Creek.

“The wife that son Christian Belsley found in Butler County was his second cousin Mary Schertz, who was born in Butler County in 1837. She was the oldest of three daughters of John Schertz and Catherine Engel, who lived on Salzman Road in Lemon Township. 22 John Schertz was the business partner of John Stecker/Staker, and his daughters were trained in business and accounting. No doubt Mary Engel made an appropriate partner for the errant son of 'Red Joe' Belsley.”

Birth:
Verna Belsley says 1836 in a letter to H. H. Schrock in 1961. Robert Belsley’s book gives the date as 31 Jul 1835.

Residence:
Lived there two years following his marriage

PURC:
Lived on the land and raised nine children

Buried:
Mt. Zion Cemetery

Christian married Mary Magdalene Schertz on 28 Oct 1856 in Trenton, Butler Co., OH. Mary (daughter of John Schertz and Catherine Engel) was born on 3 Mar 1837 in Lemon Twp., Butler Co., OH; died on 28 Nov 1911 in Deer Creek, Washington Twp., Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Amish Mennonite
• Residence: Olio Twp., Woodford Co., IL

Notes:

Children: John, Emma, Kate, Barbara, Idella, Ida, Olive, and Grace.

Family/Spouse: Lizzie Kanive. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1854

Notes:

Joseph and Catherine had sixteen children. Joseph built a home near Metamora, and was known as the best and richest farmer in Woodford County. They became part of the Apostolic Christian Church, and Joseph, Catherine and Elizabeth are buried in the AC cemetery at Roanoke.

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery

Joseph married Katherina Smith on 2 Feb 1859 in Woodford Co., IL. Katherina (daughter of Christian Smith and Catharina Baechler) was born on 13 Jun 1840; died on 10 May 1885; was buried in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Heer Rehg. Elizabeth was born on 10 Aug 1852 in Doylesburg, PA; died on 9 Oct 1927. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Jean Abresol in 1868. Jean was born in 1830; died in 1901 in USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Unknown

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Agriculteur/farmer
• Residence: 1888, Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR

Notes:

Buried:
Mennonite Cemetery (grave 27)

Joseph married Barbe Hirschy on 11 May 1868. Barbe (daughter of Jean Hirschy and Barbe Verkler) was born on 15 Jan 1847 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; died on 24 Aug 1916 in Gosselming, Moselle, Lorraine, FR; was buried in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Apostolic Christian Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Victor Broquard (Brocard). Victor was born in 1837 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR; died on 21 Nov 1882 in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., IL; was buried in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Pierre Nafziger in 1870. Pierre (son of Christian Nafziger and Marie Kempf) was born on 14 Jul 1844 in Gondrexange, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This couple lived in Biberkirch.

Madeleine married David Wagler on 8 Jan 1885 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. David (son of Joseph Wagler and Barbe Zehr) was born in 1857; died in 1939. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Andre died tragically during the battle around Schneckenbusch in August 1914. To get to security, all the population of the village had taken refuge in the church. Having decided to watch, Andre was in the steeple when a shell hit him hard!

Buried:
Buhl Mennonite cemetery

André married Barbe Hirschy on 15 Feb 1881 in Schneckenbusch, Sarrebourg, Moselle, FR. Barbe (daughter of Pierre Hirschy and Madeleine Marie Schertz) was born on 23 Feb 1863 in Schneckenbusch, Sarrebourg, Moselle, FR; died on 1 Jan 1952 in Schneckenbusch, Sarrebourg, Moselle, FR; was buried in Schneckenbusch, Sarrebourg, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This grave stands almost by itself in the middle of the cemetery. No name can be found on it, but there is a monogram at the intersection of the two branches of the cross made of the letters P and E. No doubt, this is the grave of Joseph Pelsy and his wife Madeleine Esch (her parents are buried a few meters away). Joseph, who died in 1933, was the last person to be buried in the cemetery.
Ever since, and until very recently, this place of remembrance was pretty well abandoned, for some unknown reason.

Heartfelt thanks to the Rhodes municipality and in particular to Jean Luc Rondot, the mayor, for wanting to restore this place. Thanks to all of those who committed to support the Association for the rehabilitation of this cemetery. Cimetière Anabaptiste-Mennonite de Rhodes - Moselle

Buried:
Last person to be buried in the Mennonite Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Madeleine Esch. Madeleine (daughter of Nicholas Esch and Marie-Anne Schertz) was born on 1 Feb 1861; died on 7 Jul 1923. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Apostolic Christian Church

Notes:

Joseph came to the U.S., settled near Roanoke. Had a large family named ‘Pelsy’ and relocated to Francesville, IN. about 1900.

FUNERAL HELD
JOSEPH PELSY
FRANCESVILLE

Roanoke Preachers Take Part in the Impressive Final Service

The funeral services of Joseph Pelsy, Sr., which were held July 21, at Francesville, Ind., at the Apostolic Christian church were conducted by Rev. William Schafer of Roanoke, Ill., and Rev. George Yergler of LaCrosse. Rev. David Mangold of Roanoke, Ill., offered prayer at the grave.

Mr. Pelsy had besides his children twenty-seven living grandchildren and three grandchildren deceased, all those living being present at the funeral except Herman C. Wuethrich, who is touring Europe. There is also one nephew living in France. Mr. Pelsy crossed the ocean nine times.

The pall bearers were: Joseph, Paul, John and Emil Pelsy, and John and Chris Wuethrich.

Among the relatives and friends who attended the funeral of Mr. Pelsy were: Mr. and Mrs. Chris Leman, son Jesse and daughters Emma and Cordelia ; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Leman, son Fred and daughters Catherine and Eliza ; Mr. and Mrs. John Leman, son Andrew and daughter Anna ; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leman, son Arthur and daughter Lois, and Joseph Leman of Eureka, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. David Leman of Roanoke, Ill, Alpha Leman of Metamora, Ill ; Benj. Leman, daughters Bena and Laura of Forrest, Ill. ; Mr. and Mrs. William Leman of Breman, Ind. ; Misses Percida and Eliza Leman of Eureka ; Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund Sorg and son Melvin of Goshen, Ind. ; Rev. Samuel Schumacher son Vernon and daughter Emma of Eureka, Ill ; Mr. and Mrs. David Zimmerman ; Mr. and Mrs. David Wuethrich and daughter Viola, Mrs. Andrew Fehr, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Fehr, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Blunier, Misses Rosa Wuethrich, Bena Fehr, Mary Zimmerman and Henry Schumacher of Eureka, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. John Bradle and daughters Flossie and Fannie of Secor, Ill. ; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Altorfer, Rev. and Mrs. David Mangold, Mr. and Mrs. John Mangold, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Mangold, Mrs. Elder Michael Mangold, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Martin, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Charles Martin, Rev. Wm. Schafer, Joseph Hoffman, William Herbst, Mrs. Ernst Herbst, son and daughter, Mrs. Jos. Herbst, Mrs. Rosa Weyeneth, Mrs. Casper Blunier, Mrs. Lydia Stortz, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hodel and Henry Lauder of Roanoke, Ill. ; Miss Ida Blunier of El Paso, Ill. ; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bauer, Mrs. Anna Honegger, Mrs. Lydia Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kuebler, Mrs. Emma Wenger, Miss Laura Bauer of Cissna Park, Ill. ; Rev. George Yergler, Rev. and Mrs. Harry Bucher, Bert Bucher, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heinold, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Pfledderer, Miss Martha Heineger of LaCrosse ; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Steffen, Samuel Zehr, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Nussbaun and children of Fairbury, Ill. ; Samuel and Miss Bena Broquard of Peoria, Ill., and Rev. Robert Bahler and Rev. Carl Baer of Remington and others. - Francesville Tribune

SOURCE: Uncertain ; possibly a Roanoke, IL newspaper ; credit is given at the end of the article to the Francesville, IN Tribune Published late July or early August, 1930
Family Papers of Trena Pelsy Garrison (copy in Belsley file)

Note: The newspaper article says the funeral was 7/21/1930. Other family sources give the date of death as 7/22 and 7/24.

8/11/02 tjg

Died:
Obit says funeral was held on July 21!

Joseph married Catharine Leman on 19 Feb 1879 in Roanoke, Woodford Co., IL. Catharine (daughter of Joseph Leman ( Lehman), Jr. and Katherina Smith) was born on 19 Feb 1861 in Metamora, Panola Twp., Woodford Co., IL; died on 7 Jan 1968 in Francesville, IN; was buried on 10 Jan 1968 in Francesville, IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The couple lived and died in Berthelming.

In the Berthelming municipal cemetery, a square was reserved for the burial of non-Catholic people. Several members of the Schertz and Schantz families are buried there. The Schertz were millers at Berthelming for several generations. Some of them have assumed elective functions, including that of mayor. The Schantz and Schertz were apparent by marriage.

Marie married Joseph Schertz on 19 Mar 1881 in Rhodes, Moselle, FR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Catherine Ropp (1835 - 1885) and Daniel Roth (1833 - 1922)
Their Children

Jacobina Roth (1856 - 1924) and Nicholas Staker (1853 - 1941)
Veronica (Fannie) Roth (1856 - 1946) and Joseph Heiser (1854 - 1932)
Joseph Roth (1858 - 1949) & Amelia Ropp (1857 - 1894) & Elizabeth Ropp (1859 - 1940)
Amos Roth (1860 - 1945) and Barbara Augsburger (1861 - 1917)
Jacob Roth (1863 - 1939) and Rosina Ringenberger (1872 - 1938)
Louisa Roth (1866 - 1940) and Joseph Rich (1861 - 1933)
Katie Roth (1869 - 1942) and Edward Rediger (1870 - 1945)
Daniel K. Roth (1872 - 1968) and Leanna Mosiman (1873 - 1958)
Mary Roth (1875 - 1959) and John Teuscher (1875 - 1935)


Catherine Ropp lent truth to the old adage that the first child usually resembles his or her father. Her stature and general appearance together with her personality and mannerisms gave her a right to say that she was Andrew Ropp's daughter. She was born in a two-room log cabin on December 27, 1835. She was given her Grandmother Catherine Ringenberger Werkler Engel's name. Her childhood home was a very busy place. Her father's farm quickly grew to a size that required them to hire farm laborers to help in the fields and young women to help with the cooking and cleaning. They had frequent company. Grandpa Andréas Ropp and her six Ropp uncles lived nearby and her mother's family close enough to visit occasionally. Because father was the bishop of their church, brethren frequently met in their home.

Catherine was the eldest of seven children. Her sister Elizabeth was born about two months before Catherine's second birthday and her youngest sibling Andrew was born when she was fifteen years old. She began doing chores at an early age - there was always work that needed doing. She attended both a private German school - German was the language in her home and church - and a public school where she learned English. When she married, she had the skills to manage a farm home, cook for family and company, and care for children. She was a capable young woman.

Catherine's first pregnancy ended with a surprise - twin daughters Jacobena and Veronica, who soon responded to the names Bena and Fannie, were born February 14, 1856. They were Andréas and Elizabeth Ropp's first great-grandchildren. Catherine and Daniel had three more daughters - Louisa was born in 1866, Katie in 1869, and Mary in 1875. They also had four sons - Joseph was born in 1858, Amos in 1860, Jacob in 1863, and Daniel in 1872. Catherine died February 27, 1885 at the age of forty-nine. Her four older children were married and living nearby. Her five younger children were still at home - her youngest daughter Mary was ten years old.

From Walter Ropp’s writings:
“At one time this area of the county was called “Roppland” because of the many Ropp families who owned approximately 2000 acres of land in this section. The home of Catherine’s parents was located on the Allentown-Pekin Road, approximately one and one-half miles east of Pekin. The house, a brick structure built in 1832, is still standing with many old-fashioned flowers and an old pine tree surrounding it.

“Grandmother Catharine received her education in a nearby school called “The Railroad School.” It was so named because the railroad ran along beside it. It is also interesting that this building was used for Sunday school and that a cemetery dotted with many pine trees, was located at the rear of the school. for many years this was an important landmark until one day the little school burned to the ground. It was thought that a spark from the train perhaps caused the fire. However, the old pine trees still remain, keeping vigil over those loved ones resting in the cemetery.”

Buried:
Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery

Catherine married Daniel K. Roth on 27 Feb 1855 in Tazewell Co., IL. Daniel (son of Niklaus Roth and Verena (Veronica) Zimmermann) was born on 5 Feb 1833 in GR; died on 10 Feb 1922 in Morton, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Railroad Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Jacob Hochstettler. Jacob was born in 1829; died in 1884. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ropp. - Joseph W. Ropp was born near Pekin, Ill., Jan 30, 1840; died July 10, 1920, at the old home near Tremont, Ill.; aged 80 y. 5 m. 10 d. 

He united in marriage with Catharine (Ropp) Gerber March 11, 1866. This union was blessed with five sons, four of whom survive him. His beloved companion and the youngest son preceded him to eternity. 

He united with the Mennonite Church in his youth and remained a faithful member until death. 

Funeral at the Pleasant Grove Church July 12 conducted by A. A. Schrock and Simon Litwiller from Matt. 25:34 and 11 Cor. 5:1-15. 

He leaves besides his children, 10 grandchildren, one brother, one sister, and many relatives and friends to mourn his departure.

Buried:
Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery

Joseph married Catharine (Kate) Ropp on 11 Mar 1866. Catharine (daughter of Jacob Ropp and Elizabeth Schlegal) was born on 6 Apr 1843 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 21 May 1907 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
FAG gives date as 6 Jul 1842

Died:
FAG gives date as8 Feb 1921

Mary married Joseph Litwiller on 8 May 1862 in Tazewell Co., IL. Joseph (son of Peter Litwiller and Marie Mosiman) was born on 24 Dec 1837 in Hamilton, Butler Co., OH; died on 1 Jun 1902 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Mount Olivet Memorial Park

Family/Spouse: Anna Staker. Anna (daughter of Nicholas Staker (Steker) and Magdalena Eimer) was born on 16 May 1848 in Butler Co., OH; died on 10 Feb 1919 in Zion, Lake Co., IL; was buried on 13 Feb 1919 in Zion, Lake Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Albrecht. Mary (daughter of John Albrecht and Marie Ackermann) was born on 10 Apr 1853; died on 31 Jul 1904. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ingeborn Johnson. Ingeborn was born in 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joseph was a farmer and stock raiser in Tremont Township. He owned 800 acres in Nebraska and 85 acres in Hancock Co., IL. On 10 July 1860, Joseph and Anne were living in Dillon Twp, Woodford Co., next door to Anne’s father and Joseph’s mother.

Buried:
Mt. Hope Cemetery

Joseph married Anna Gingerich on 15 May 1859 in Woodford Co., IL. Anna (daughter of Joseph Gingerich and Magdalena Guerber) was born in 1836 in Butler Co., OH; died in 1926; was buried in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jacobina married John Getz on 22 Aug 1863. John was born on 31 Oct 1841; died on 10 Aug 1911. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Basile Justin Claudin. Basile was born in 1834; died in 1883. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Founder of Keystone Steel and Wire Company, first begun in Tremont and later moved to Peoria.
http://www.tcghs.org/photo0800.htm--See history and photos
“Keystone Steel & Wire (1889) developed the world's first woven wire fence and has been the nation's leading independent wire manufacturer for over 100 years.” History of Peoria website.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~barrone/babbs/nl11.htm
THE SOUTH SIDE CHURCH FOUNDER PETER SOMMER -- FAIRBURY BLADE -- FEB. 20 1920

PETER SOMMER DEAD, FORMERLY RESIDED HERE

THE PEORIA STAR OF TUESDAY CONTAINED A NOTICE OF THE DEATH OF PETER SOMMER, OF THAT CITY, WHO PASSED AWAY AT ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., MONDAY, WHERE HE HAD GONE TO SPEND THE WINTER. HE WAS 75 YEARS OLD. MR. SOMMER RESIDED HERE IN HIS YOUNGER DAYS AND OWNED THE FARM WHERE THE SOUTH CHRISTIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH NOW STANDS.

THE STAR IN SPEAKING OF HIS DEATH SAYS:

PETER SOMMER, FATHER OF PRESIDENT P. W. SOMMER OF KEYSTONE STEEL AND WIRE CO., WHO, IN A LITTLE WOODEN SHED IN TREMONT, TAZEWELL COUNTY, WOVE THE FIRST WIRE FENCE, NEUCLEUS OF THE GIANT PEORIA INDUSTRY OF TODAY, DIED AT 11 O’CLOCK MONDAY MORNING IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLA., WHERE HE HAD BEEN SPENDING THE COLDER MONTHS AT THE WINTER HOME OF HIS SON. HIS AILMENT WAS ANGINA PECTORIS. HIS AGE WAS 76 YEARS.

PETER SOMMER WAS THE INVENTOR OF THE WIRE FENCE. THIRTY-ONE YEARS AGO HE CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF WEAVING WIRE INTO A "NEW" KING OF FENCE. WITH HIS SONS JOHN AND P. W. HE DESIGNED AND BUILT HIS FIRST WEAVING MACHINE IN A LITTLE FRAME BUILDING STILL STANDING IN THAT VILLAGE. HIS FIRST STRING OF FENCE CREATED A SENSATION AMONG THE FARMERS. THEY SAW IT WAS CHEAP, PRACTICAL AND A GREAT SAVING OF LABOR. THE LITTLE PLANT WAS SOON OUTGROWN AND A LARGER ONE WAS BUILT. THAT WAS __ TURN OUTGROWN AND BESIDES HIS SONS THE INVENTOR WAS EMPLOYING SEVERAL MEN.

IN 1895 WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT TREMONT COULD NOT SUPPLY FACILITIES FOR MAKING AND SHIPPING FENCING, THE ______ CAME WHEN THE CONSERVATIVE INVENTOR DECIDED TO MOVE TO PEORIA, WHICH HE DID IN 1895, LOCATING ON SOUTH ADAMS STREET. ALTHOUGH THIS PLANT WAS MUCH LARGER, IT, TOO WAS SOON OUTGROWN AND THAN FOLLOWED THE REMOVAL TO THE MANUFACTURING SUBURB OF SOUTH BARTONVILLE.

THE FENCE AND THE MACHINE FOR ITS WEAVING WERE PERFECTED AND THE BRAND WAS MADE "SQUARE DEAL." ADDITION AFTER ADDITION CAME RAPIDLY AND THEN THE STEEL MILLS WITH THEIR THREE OPEN-HEART FURNACES EACH REPRESENTING A MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT, THE VAST STRUCTURES OF ROD MILLS, BLOOMING MILLS, SOAKING PITS, ETC., CONNECTED WITH FIVE MILES OF PRIVATE SWITCH TRACKS AND A CANAL A MILE OR MORE LONG FROM THE RIVER. IT IS A FAR CALL FROM THE WOODEN SHED IN TREMONT TO THE STEELDALE OF TODAY, THE CULMINATIONS OF PETER SOMMER’S DREAM. THE KEYSTONE STORY IS AN INDUSTRIAL ROMANCE.

MR. SOMMER HELD THE POSITION OF VICE-PRESIDENT IN THE VAST ENTERPRISE HE FOUNDED, BUT HAD RETIRED FROM ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ITS AFFAIRS AND WITH HIS WIFE, DIVIDED HIS TIME BETWEEN THEIR HOME IN COLORADO, IN PEORIA AND IN FLORIDA. MRS. SOMMER WAS WITH HIM AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, AS WAS HIS SON, P. W. SOMMER. B. L. SOMMER LEFT FOR FLORIDA YESTERDAY AND JOHN SOMMER TODAY. THE BODY WILL BE BROUGHT TO PEORIA FOR COMMITMENT IN SPRINGDALE CEMETERY.

PETER SOMMER WAS A MAN OF SIMPLE AND KINDLY LIFE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH, A MAN WHOSE SIMPLE WORD WAS HIS BOND, HONORED AND RESPECTED OF ALL. HE WAS BORN IN TAZEWELL COUNTY, NEAR PEKIN, IN 1844, AND WHEN 21 YEARS OF AGE WAS MARRIED HIS BRIDE MISS. MARY BREISACHER. HE FOLLOWED HIS TRADE AS WAGON MAKER IN THE VILLAGE OF MORTON. LATER HE MOVED TO FAIRBURY WHERE HE LIVED ON A FARM UNTIL HE MOVED TO TREMONT.

THE SOMMER FAMILY IN PEORIA, IL.


THE ORIGINAL APOSTOLIC CHURCH HAD A GROWING MEMBERSHIP IN THE LATE 1800'S IN PEORIA, AND THE MEMBERSHIP WAS ENHANCED IN 1900 WHEN PETER SOMMER RELOCATED THE KEYSTONE WIRE COMPANY TO PEORIA. SOMMER AND HIS SONS AND THEIR FAMILIES JOINED THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH ON GREEN STREET AND THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FACILITY. CONTINUED GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP COMBINED WITH SOME INTERNAL DISAGREEMENTS LED THE SOMMER GROUP TO FORM ANOTHER CHURCH INITIALLY CALLED THE SECOND GERMAN APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH. BACKED, IN LARGE PART, BY THE SOMMER MONEY THE NEW CHURCH CONSTRUCTED A FINE NEW CHURCH AT 817 HAMILTON BLVD. A YEAR LATER THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO HAMILTON STREET APOSTOLIC, AND IN 1957 WAS RENAMED SIMPLY THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH. THE SITE IS NOW A PARKING LOT FOR THE METHODIST MEDICAL CENTER. THE CHURCH SERVED THE CONGREGATION UNTIL 1874 WHEN THEY BUILT A NEW FACILITY AT THE CURRENT LOCATION. WHILE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER APOSTOLIC GROUPS IN PEORIA, THIS AND THE CHURCH ON SHERIDAN ARE THE TWO OLDEST AND LARGEST APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN PEORIA.

THE INTERNAL DISAGREEMENTS MENTIONED ABOVE WAS THE "FIRST SPLIT" OF THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH WHICH HAPPENED AROUND 1900 TO 1911.


SOMMER FAMILY GENEALOGY

ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT ABOUT PETER SOMMER IS THAT HIS MOTHER MARY (VERKLER) SOMMER, WAS A SISTER TO THE NORTH SIDE CHURCHES FOUNDING MINISTER JOSEPH VERKLER. THIS IS WHAT POSSIBLY BROUGHT PETER TO THIS AREA, WHERE HE FOLLOWED IN HIS UNCLE JOSEPH’S FOOTSTEP BY STARTING THE SOUTH SIDE CHURCH.


PETER SOMMER 1843 - 1920

(WIFE) MARY (BREISACHER) SOMMER 1846 - 1928

(SON) JOHN SOMMER 1865 - 1928

(SON) PETER W. SOMMER 1869 - 1924

(SON) JOSEPH SOMMER 1877 - 1907

(SON) BENJAMIN L. SOMMER 1880 - 1929

(SON) WILLIAM H. SOMMER ???? - ????

Peter married Anna Mary Margaret Briesacher on 1 Sep 1864. Anna was born on 24 Dec 1846; died on 5 Apr 1928. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Henry Stamm on 22 Sep 1864. Henry died on 5 Feb 1918. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Graceland Cemetery

Peter married Anna Sommer on 29 Dec 1855 in Yates Twp., McLean Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ellen married Emanuel Chemin in 1862. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Bright Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Francis Leonard. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Cultivator At Big Lick, Hancock Co., Ohio
• Immigration: 1857, OH

Notes:

Jean Joseph, age 31, a cultivator living at Big Lick, county of Hancock, state of Ohio, at the time of his marriage.

Immigration:
probably Butler County

Buried:
Union Cemetery

Jean married Elisabeth Helene Saltzmann on 17 Apr 1876 in Domevre, Luneville, Meurthe, FR. Elisabeth (daughter of Pierre Saltzmann and Elisabeth Parmentier) was born on 26 Nov 1854 in Domevre-sur-Vezouse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, FR; died on 12 Jun 1946 in Findlay, Hancock Co., Big Lick Twp., OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Michael Leonard. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer, owner and manager of a saw mill on his property

Notes:

Christopher married Cordelia Hartter on 14 Nov 1895. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]