of Schangnau, Switzerland
1. Stephen1 BIERI. He was born ca. 1569 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Magdeling STEINER. She was born ca. 1573 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. They were married ca. 1594 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland.
Stephen BIERI and Magdeling STEINER had at least one son:
2. Ulrich2 BIERI(Stephen1). He was born ca. 1595 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Anna LANGENEGGER, daughter of Michael LANGENEGGER and Barbara NEUENSCHWANDER. She was born ca. 1596 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland and was baptized 18 Jan 1596. They were married ca. 1617 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland.
Ulrich BIERI and Anna LANGENEGGER had the following children:
3. Michel3 BIERI(Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born ca. 1618 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Elsbeth MUELLER. She was born ca. 1620 in Roethenbach, Bern Switzerland. They were married ca. 1644 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland.
Michel BIERI and Elsbeth MUELLER had the following children:
4. Ulrich4 BIERI(Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born 27 Jun 1656 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Elsbeth SIEGENTHALER. They were married ca. 1683 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland.
Ulrich BIERI and Elsbeth SIEGENTHALER had the following children:
5. Niklaus5 BIERI(Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born 9 Nov 1702 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Magdelena SIEGEHTBALER. She was born ca. 1703 and died on 22 Jan 1775. They were married ca. 1724.
Niklaus BIERI and Magdelena SIEGEHTBALER had the following children:
6. Hans6 BIERI(Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born 31 May 1733 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Magdelena JAKOB. She was born ca. 1734 in Trub, Bern, Switzerland. They were married ca. 1755.
Hans BIERI and Magdelena JAKOB had the following children:
7. Christian7 BIERI(Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born 19 Mar 1758 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He died on 17 Apr 1830 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He married Katherine ZAUGG. She was born ca. 1763 in Schwarzenegg, Bern, Switzerland. She died on 3 Apr 1818. They were married ca. 1788.
Christian BIERI and Katherine ZAUGG had the following children:
8. Peter8 BIERI(Christian7, Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born 12 Oct 1794 in Schangnau, Bern Switzerland. He died on 25 Oct 1849. He married Magdelena BURKI, daughter of Ulrich Burki. She was born 22 Aug 1799 in Biglen, Bern, Switzerland. She died on 18 Aug 1874. They were married 25 Aug 1821 in Schangnau, Bern, Switzerland.
Peter BIERI and Magdelena BURKI had the following children:
9. Johannes9 BIERI(Peter8,Christian7, Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born on 27 March 1836 in Switzerland and christened on 10 Apr 1836 in Schangnau, Switzerland. According to his death certificate, he died of a malignant abdominal tumor on 16 May 1910 in Vergennes, Kent Co., MI and was buried on 19 May 1910 in the Bailey Cemetery associated with the Vergennes United Methodist Church in Lowell, Kent Co. MI. He was a farmer. Here's a photograph of him.
He married Elizabetha ROTH, daughter of Johannes ROTH and Anna GERBER, of Eritz, Switzerland on 30 Sep 1859 in Schwarzenegg, Kanton Bern, Switzerland. Elizabetha was born in Oct 1838 in Eriz, Canton Bern, Switzerland and baptized on 11 Nov 1838 in Schwarzenegg, Canton Bern, Switzerland. She died of gangrene in the foot on 25 May 1913 in Croton Dam, Newaygo Co. MI and was buried in May 1913 in the Bailey Cemetery associated with the Vergennes United Methodist Church in Lowell, Kent Co. MI. Here's a photograph of her and here's a photograph of John and Elizabeth Bieri's house in Lowell, MI. Here's a photograph of them together, and a photograph of their whole family.
RECORD OF BIRTH: There is an LDS record that appears to refer to her: Elisabetha ROTH BIERI born 11 Nov 1838 Schwarzenegg, Canton Bern, Switzerland, daughter of Johannes Roth and Anna Gerber Roth. Film no. 1239645 page no. 1108, reference no. 35237.
OBITUARY: "John Bieri of Fox's Corners died May 17 [sic] after a lingering illness. The funeral services were held at the German church in Lowell Thursday, Rev. Mr. Dank officiating. The body was interred in the Bailey cementery." (26 May 1910 The Lowell Ledger p. 5)
"I do remember your grandmother [Elizabeth ROTH BIERI]. I have a very vivid picture in my memory of her sitting on sunny side of south porch at our house and patching overalls for my father and brothers. I was trying to learn to sew at the time and was fascinated by the dainty stitches she used on the patches. I'm sure they never were so carefully done after she was gone." (letter from Marion Roth Yates to Esther Wyss Burridge)
According to Milda Wyss Miller, her granddaughter, she moved to Croton Dam (Newaygo Co.), prior to her death in May 1913 (?) "After Grandpa Bieri died, Grandma became ill. She was a diabetic and had problems with circulation in her legs. Mama [Susanna BIERI (WYSS)] being a nurse could help most so Papa [Alfred WYSS] insisted on bringing her to Croton. She was a great care and died of "gangrene" in her foot. This is why she moved to Croton."
OBITUARY: "Vergennes Center... Mrs. John Bieri of Fox's Corners died Sunday morning at the home of her daughter Mrs. Weiss at Croton." (29 May 1913 The Lowell Ledger p. 5)
Johannes BIERI and Elizabeth ROTH had the following children:
10. Samuel9 BIERI(Peter8,Christian7, Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He married Susannah ROTH. [My information on Samuel and his descendants comes from Dave Sennema "davmar@scsn.net".] They had several children, including:
11. Anna Elizabeth10 BIERI (Johannes9, Peter8,Christian7, Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). She was born ca. 1860. She was baptized on 23 Aug 1860 in Schangnau, Kanton Bern, Switzerland (LDS submitted record "Schangnau, parish reg. by corresp. p. 205 #3039"). She married John ROTH, a blacksmith.
2 i. Ulrich2 BIERI (1595-)
3 i. Michel3 BIERI (1618-)
ii. Katherina (1620-)
iii. Anna (1623-)
iv. Hans (1625-)
v. Barbara (1628-)
vi. Trini (1630-)
vii. Kathrina (1630-)
viii. Stini (1632-)
ix. Christiana (1632-)
x. Peter (1637-)
i. Daniel (1645-)
ii. Christian (ca1646-)
iii. Margreth (1648-)
iv. Hans (1651-)
v. Salome (1653-)
4 vi. Ulrich4 BIERI (1656-)
vii. Barbara (1662-)
viii. Peter (1665-)
i. Barbara (1684-1684)
ii. Peter (1685-1753)
iii. Barbara (1687-)
iv. Ulrich (1690-ca1690)
v. Magdalena (1690-1771)
vi. Hans (1692-1775)
vii. Ulrich (1695-)
viii. Christian (1697-)
ix. Margreth (1699-)
x. Michel (1701-)
5 xi. Niklaus5 BIERI (1702-)
xii. Barbara (1705-)
xiii. Katharina (1707-)
xiv. Margreth (1710-)
i. Ulrich (1726-1793)
ii. Barbara (1727-)
iii. Christian (1728-)
iv. Niklaus (1730-)
6 v. Hans6 BIERI (1733-)
vi. Elsbeth (1736-)
vii. Anna (1739-)
viii. Magdalena (1740-)
ix. Peter (1743-)
x. Katharina (1748-1755)
i. Bernhard (1756-)
7 ii. Christian7 BIERI (1758-1830)
iii. Barbara (1760-1790)
iv. Hans (1761-1798)
v. Katharina (1764-)
vi. Magdelena (1766-1834)
vii. Bernhard (1768-)
viii. Katarina (1771-)
ix. Peter (1775-1845)
i. Katherina (1788-)
ii. Johannes (1789-1845)
iii. Barbara (1791-)
iv. Christian (1792-1860)
8 v. Peter8 BIERI (1794-1849)
vi. Bernhard (1795-)
vii. Ulrich (1796-1849)
viii. Anna (1802-)
i. Elisabeth (1821-)
ii. Christian (1823-1888)
iii. Anna (1826-)
iv. Peter (1827-1894)
v. Friedrich (1828-1901)
vi. Magdelena (1831-)
vii. Maria (1834-)
9 viii. Johannes9 BIERI (1836-1910)
ix. Verena (1838-)
10 x. Samuel9 BIERI (1840-1892)
xi. Gottfried (1843-1895)
11 i. Anna Elizabeth10 BIERI
12 ii. Friedrich10 BIERI
13 iii. Elizabeth10 BIERI
14 iv. Christian10 BIERI
15 v. Johannes10 BIERI
16 vi. Susanna Elizabeth10 BIERI
17 vii. Rosina10 BIERI
18 viii. Karl10 BIERI
19 ix. Fanny10 BIERI
20 i. Gottlieb10 BIERI
12. Friedrich10 BIERI (Johannes9, Peter8,Christian7, Hans6, Niklaus5, Ulrich4,Michel3, Ulrich2, Stephen1). He was born ca. 1861. He was baptized on 4 Jul 1861 in Schangnau, Kanton Bern, Switzerland (LDS submitted record "Schangnau, parish reg. by corresp. p. 205 #3040"). He died on 25 Jan 1862 in Schangnau, Kanton Bern, Switzerland.
i. Joel11 ALTHAUS
"Well known around Newaygo, ...where he retired 15 Sep 1938, as an employee of the Consumers Power Company, Christian Bieri is the oldest of five generations who were together at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Ehrlich in Owosso recently. In the above picture is Cheryl Jo Bartlett, who, at eight weeks, arrived barely in time for the photograph. She is held by her mother, Mrs. James Bartlett, of East Lansing. Standing are, left to right, Mrs. Ehrlich and her mother, Mrs. George A. Stanton, of Owosso.Moving to Lowell from Switzerland at the age of 19, Mr. Bieri came to Croton in 1918 and to Newaygo in 1927, where he was in charge of the Power Company dam here. He now lives in Lowell with his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Schneider. Among 91 living descendants is Ralph James of Croton, a step-son."
He married Bertha ROTH. She was born on 26 Mar 1864. She died on 17 Feb 1914 at her home near Fallasburg, MI.
OBITUARY: "Mrs. Chris Bieri died at her home near Fallasburg, Tuesday night, aged about fifty years. Mr. Bieri is employed at the new Ed son plant; and Mrs. Bieri was a sister of John and Albert Roth of Lowell." (19 Feb 1914 The Lowell Ledger p. 4)
OBITUARY:'LOWELL- Christian Bieri died Sunday afternoon at the home of his son, Lawrence, in Vergennes Township, Kent County. He was 93. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. The body is at the Roth Funeral Home." (Grand Rapids Herald 13 Aug 1957 p. 12.) Funeral notice: "Christian Bieri Rites Wednesday. Lowell-Services for Christian Bieri, 93, who died Sunday in Vergennes township at the home of his son Lawrence, will be held at 2 Wednesday at the Roth Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oakwood cemetery. Mr. Bieri was a retired turbine operator for Consumers Power Co., for whom he had worked 37 years. A native of Switzerland, he leaves 124 descendants. Surviving are two other sons, Oswald of Vergennes township, and John of Caseville; five daughters, Mrs. Freda Stanton and Mrs. Matilda Gorte, both of Owesso, Mrs. Louisse Schneider of Lowell, Mrs. Marie Newark of Jackson, and Mrs. Fannie Mallory of Cortinna; one sister, Mrs. Rose Kerr of Vergennes township; 35 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren." (Grand Rapids Press 13 Aug 1957 p. 14.)
Christian BIERI and Bertha ROTH had the following children:
21 i. Marie Verana11 BIERI 22 ii. Fanny Eliza11 BIERI 23 iii. Gerald Lincoln11 BIERI 24 iv. John11 BIERI 25 v. Frieda11 BIERI 26 vi. Louise Bertha11 BIERI 27 vii. Matilda Elizabeth11 BIERI 28 viii. Oswald Edwin11 BIERI 29 ix. Lawrence Anthony11 BIERI
She married Alfred WYSS, son of Nicholas Wyss and Elizabeth Siegenthaler, on 2 Dec 1899 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co. MI (Certified copy of marriage license, Kent Co. MI Marriage Records 1845-1927, Book 12, page 258, record no. 14247). She was his second wife. Photographs and further information about her husband's family and her descendants is available here.
In a letter from Olive Wyss Bracker (Alfred's daughter) to her half sister Lena Anne Wyss Rudge (21 Jan ) she writes--" I can remember when Dad heard that his sister Anne was gone. He felt so badly. Also can remember when some one wrote him, I don't know who, that his mother was very poorly and if he was going to keep his promise to her, he would have to come soon. You see, when he left Switzerland [1906], he promised her he would be back. Well your mother [Susanna Bieri Wyss] thought he should go, and helped make it possible for him to go. Grandma and Grandpa had $300 from her, but were not in a position to pay it back, and she wanted him to use that money to go. So actually she made it possible for him to go."
OBITUARY- "OBITUARY. After an illness of five weeks Mrs. Alfred Wyss passed away Friday afternoon, October 22. Susanna Bieri, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bieri, was born in Schwarzenegg, Switzerland, January 15, 1867. At the age of at the age of 16 [1883] she came with her parents to America and settled in Lowell. A few years later she became a nurse, and for several years served as a Deaconess nurse in the Wayne Hospital, Detroit.. In 1898 she was united in marriage to Alfred Wyss. The family moved to Croton eight years ago [1907] and since then the loving sympathy and ever ready helpfulness of the departed have made her a necessary factor in the community life. Her presence will be missed by many, for she was loved by all who knew her. Taken ill the latter part of September, Mrs. Wyss gradually grew weaker until her death last Friday. The body was taken to Lowell, where the funeral services were held in the German M. E. church at 10 o'clock Sunday morning. Interment was made in the Bailey cemetery. Mrs. Wyss leaves a husband, son, four daughters, two sisters and two brothers, besides a host of other relatives and friends who mourn her loss. IN MEMORIAM. In life's golden age is she taken, Leaving many a sad heart to miss her. Thus early is called to account For a noble life to her Master. For she ever loved to be helpful And sunshine she cast around her, By her ever ardent longing To do the will of her Master. Thus hath she lived and thus did she pass With no thought, but to duty united. May her ashes rest in sweet peace hence on earth. Her spirit abide with the angels." Second obituary "Once more death has entered our midst and taken a loved neighbor and friend. Susanna Bieri, wife of Alfred Wyss and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bieri, was born in Scharganegg, Switzerland, January 15, 1867. At the age of 16 she came with her parents to America and settled in Lowell, Mich. She became a nurse at the Deaconess hospital in Detroit. In 1898 she was united in marriage with Alfred Wyss; the family moved to Croton eight years ago. Mrs. Wyss will be missed in the home, in the community, and in the church. Her heart's interest was in her Master's work. She said she was the Lord's and whatever was His will was hers; if His will to spare her or take her, it was alright. She had such loving communion with the Lord and He saw fit to take her. What is our loss is her eternal gain. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband, one son, four daughters, two sisters, two brothers, and other relatives. Funeral services were held in the M. E. church at Lowell. Burial in the Lowell cemetery. Thus ends a devoted life." Third obituary "Everyone here mourns the death of Mrs. Alfred Wyss. She was an earnest worker in God's vineyard and one who could ill be spared. Many of her kind deeds will live long in memory." Fourth obituary "MRS. ALFRED WYSS. In Memory. Back in the forest, one day, a little spring forced its way through a crevice in the rocks and wound its course merrily down to the river, in the valley below. The song of its waters, rippling over the pebbles, was restful music in those silent places. The wild flowers bloomed along its banks, nourished by its grateful moisture carried about on the changing breeze. The wild life of the woods and the air drank of its cool waters and was refreshed. Whereso-e'er it passed there was rejoicing in nature. Then came a day when the source of the spring failed and its music was heard no more. The wild flowers hung their heads and in that part of the forest nature was sad. As with the little spring, which had fulfilled its humble mission, doing good in nature, so with our deceased friend, Mrs. Wyss-a simple quiet soul. She fulfilled her mission in life by devotion to her family, by working for her church and by lending a helping hand to the sick and the sorrowing. Sadness follows her passing beyond, in the little community where she was part of the daily life, and her gentle ways and kindly heart will keep her in our memory. May she rest in peace. Croton, Mich. October 25, 1915. W. A. T." Fifth obituary: ""Mrs. Alfred Wyss of Croton Buried Here Sunday. Mrs. Alfred Wyss of Croton died Friday after an illness of three weeks aged 48 years. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Lowell German Methodist Church; burial at the Bailey cemetery. Rev. H. Bank officiating clergyman. Susanna Bieri came to Lowell from Switzerland with her parents in 1883. She married Alfred Wyss and lived here, where he was employed in the electric power houses until about seven years ago, when they moved to Croton, where Mr. Wyss is superintendant of the big power plant of thte Grand Rapids-Muskegon company. Mrs. Wyss is survived by her husband, one son and four daughters. Two brothers Chris Bieri and Carl Bieri and two sisters Mrs. Gottlieb Althaus and Mrs. George Kerr, all of this vicinity, also mourn her loss." (The Lowell Ledger 28 Oct 1915 p. 1.)
i. Florence (Flossy)11 KERR born ca. 1893. ii. Anna11 KERR born ca. 1894. iii. Susan11 KERR born ca. 1895. iv Leonard11 KERR born ca. 1897. v. Carl11 KERR born ca. 1899. vi. George A.11 KERR born ca. 1900. vii. Ethel11 KERR viii. Delia11 KERR ix. Peter11 KERR x. Leonard11 KERR xi. Elsie11 KERR xii. Lawrence (Ludd)11 KERR xiii. Eva11 KERR xiv. Esther11 KERR xv. James11 KERR
i. Stanley11 BIERI 30 ii. Otto John11 BIERI 31 iii. Rudolph11 BIERI 32 iv. Dorothy11 BIERI
She married Alfred WYSS, son of Nicholas Wyss and Elizabeth Siegenthaler on 10 Oct 1891 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co. MI (Certified copy of marriage license, Kent Co. MI Marriage Records 1845-1927, Book 10, page 308, record no. 4594). She was his first wife. Information about her husband's family and her descendants is available here.
OBITUARY - "Mrs. Albert Wys [sic], who lived three miles east of this village, died last Friday leaving a husband and four small children. The funeral was at the Vergennes M. E. Church, Sunday, Rev. Rogotsky officiating. The family have much sympathy in their great bereavement." (Lowell Journal 23 Apr 1897).
OBITUARY - "Lawrence Bieri, aged 88, of Lowell, passed away January 19, 1988. He is survived by his wife, Olive; children, Mrs. Herb (Merle) Butterfield of Jennison, Mrs. William (Vivian) Johnson, Mrs. Ralph (Vonnie) Gauger, Arthur and Jan Bieri, all of Lowell; a brother, Oswold Bieri; a sister, Freida Stanton, both of Lowell; and a sister, Louise Schneider of Grand Rapids. Funeral Memorial Services will be Friday 3 pm at the First Baptist Church of Lowell, Rev. Keith McIver officiating. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Lowell or West Michigan Historical Society. There will be no funeral home visitation. ROTH-GERST, LOWELL"
If you recognize any of the names here and would like to contact me, here's my email address: david.rudge@wmich.edu.
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Last updated on 14 Nov 2011