Surname also spelled "Bechler" and "Beckler." Joseph was the oldest child of Elizabeth Bechler of Bisping, France. His birth certificate listed no father, and the suggestion is that he was illegitimate. One family tradition says he was the illegitimate son of a French soldier who was killed before he could marry Joseph's mother.
The following information was found in a biography of Joseph's brother, Christian, written in 1891:
"Mr. Bechler is one of a family of three sons born to Christian and Elizabeth (Bechler) Bechler, both of whom were born in Switzerland, and emigrated to France, where the father died in 1830, the mother's death occurring in New Orleans, La., in 1843. Their children are: Joseph (now deceased), Peter (a resident of Iowa) and Christian." Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891 PERSONAL SKETCHES, page 685 (found at http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/prairie/biog-pra.htm)
Joseph grew up in Bisping where he learned the trade of weaving and became a master weaver. When he was 24 years old, he married Catherina Sommer at the home of Christian Kemp at Bisping, Moselle, France. She had a daughter from a previous relationship. Joseph adopted Catharina's daughter, Maria, when the couple married and it is so noted on Maria's birth certificate.
Two years later following the death of their infant son, Peter, Joseph, Catherina and Maria emigrated to America, arriving in New York from Le Havre on the ship "Francis DePau" on July, 22, 1836. ( New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1836 > July > 22 > Francis Depau Ship's List, page 1)
Those on the ship included Joseph Backler 26, Catherina 27, Marie 5 and Peter Backler (Joseph's brother), and Joseph Sommer 74 and Barbe Sommer 75 (Catherina's parents).
[Also in the traveling party were Christian Sommer 32 and his wife, Marie Sommer 23, Salome Sommer 17 (Christian's sister) and Barbe Sommer 55 (Christian's mother and probably the daughter-in-law of Joseph Sommer and Elisabeth Barbe Gerber Sommer). Also on the ship, but not listed in order with the family, was Andre Sommer - 18 - probable brother of Christian Sommer. The Christian Sommer family settled initially in St. Louis, Missouri (1840 US Census, Missouri, St. Louis, District 166, p. 192) This family moved north to Woodford County around 1845. By 1850 the family included children Joseph -14, Mary-11, Christian- 8, and Elizabeth -6 ...all born in Missouri .... Peter -3, and Magdalene - 6 months .... both born in Illinois) 1850 US Census, Illinois, Woodford County, Family #674 ]
Joseph, Catherina and Maria Bechler and Catherina's parents traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio River arriving in Butler County Ohio where son Joseph Jr. was born in September, 1836. In the 1840 Census they were located in Milford, Butler County Ohio. Though not specifically enumerated, the household included Joseph, Katharina, Maria Sommer Bechler, Joseph Bechler Jr., Barbara Bechler, and an elderly female - presumably, Elizabeth Barbe Gerber (Catherina's mother).
1850 Census they were still in Milford, Butler County Ohio (as Joseph Beeker): Joseph (39), Catherine (41), Mary (18), Joseph (12), Barbary (10), Christian (7). Sometime after 1850, the family relocated to central Illinois.
In the 1860 Census, they were located in Montgomery Twsp., Woodford County: Joseph (49), Catherine (51) and son, Joseph, Jr. (23). Daughter, Barbara had married Jonas Troyer in January of 1860.
By 1870 Census, he was in Waldo Township of Livingston County with his wife, Catherine.
Joseph passed away on May 7, 1878 as the result of a gastric hemhorrage (according to his death certificate)
Gospel Herald Obituary:
"BAECHLER.-May 7th, in Livingston Co., Ill., Bro. JOSEPH BAECHLER, aged 67 years, and 8 months. Buried the 9th in the presence of many relatives and friends, at which time J. P. Smith and Jacob Naffziger spake words of comfort to the living, from 1 Cor. 15. He was a faithful brother of the Amish church, and he leaves a widow and 4 children to mourn their loss."
The following information was found in a biography of Joseph's brother, Christian, written in 1891:
"Mr. Bechler is one of a family of three sons born to Christian and Elizabeth (Bechler) Bechler, both of whom were born in Switzerland, and emigrated to France, where the father died in 1830, the mother's death occurring in New Orleans, La., in 1843. Their children are: Joseph (now deceased), Peter (a resident of Iowa) and Christian." Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891 PERSONAL SKETCHES, page 685 (found at http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/prairie/biog-pra.htm)
Joseph grew up in Bisping where he learned the trade of weaving and became a master weaver. When he was 24 years old, he married Catherina Sommer at the home of Christian Kemp at Bisping, Moselle, France. She had a daughter from a previous relationship. Joseph adopted Catharina's daughter, Maria, when the couple married and it is so noted on Maria's birth certificate.
Two years later following the death of their infant son, Peter, Joseph, Catherina and Maria emigrated to America, arriving in New York from Le Havre on the ship "Francis DePau" on July, 22, 1836. ( New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1836 > July > 22 > Francis Depau Ship's List, page 1)
Those on the ship included Joseph Backler 26, Catherina 27, Marie 5 and Peter Backler (Joseph's brother), and Joseph Sommer 74 and Barbe Sommer 75 (Catherina's parents).
[Also in the traveling party were Christian Sommer 32 and his wife, Marie Sommer 23, Salome Sommer 17 (Christian's sister) and Barbe Sommer 55 (Christian's mother and probably the daughter-in-law of Joseph Sommer and Elisabeth Barbe Gerber Sommer). Also on the ship, but not listed in order with the family, was Andre Sommer - 18 - probable brother of Christian Sommer. The Christian Sommer family settled initially in St. Louis, Missouri (1840 US Census, Missouri, St. Louis, District 166, p. 192) This family moved north to Woodford County around 1845. By 1850 the family included children Joseph -14, Mary-11, Christian- 8, and Elizabeth -6 ...all born in Missouri .... Peter -3, and Magdalene - 6 months .... both born in Illinois) 1850 US Census, Illinois, Woodford County, Family #674 ]
Joseph, Catherina and Maria Bechler and Catherina's parents traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio River arriving in Butler County Ohio where son Joseph Jr. was born in September, 1836. In the 1840 Census they were located in Milford, Butler County Ohio. Though not specifically enumerated, the household included Joseph, Katharina, Maria Sommer Bechler, Joseph Bechler Jr., Barbara Bechler, and an elderly female - presumably, Elizabeth Barbe Gerber (Catherina's mother).
1850 Census they were still in Milford, Butler County Ohio (as Joseph Beeker): Joseph (39), Catherine (41), Mary (18), Joseph (12), Barbary (10), Christian (7). Sometime after 1850, the family relocated to central Illinois.
In the 1860 Census, they were located in Montgomery Twsp., Woodford County: Joseph (49), Catherine (51) and son, Joseph, Jr. (23). Daughter, Barbara had married Jonas Troyer in January of 1860.
By 1870 Census, he was in Waldo Township of Livingston County with his wife, Catherine.
Joseph passed away on May 7, 1878 as the result of a gastric hemhorrage (according to his death certificate)
Gospel Herald Obituary:
"BAECHLER.-May 7th, in Livingston Co., Ill., Bro. JOSEPH BAECHLER, aged 67 years, and 8 months. Buried the 9th in the presence of many relatives and friends, at which time J. P. Smith and Jacob Naffziger spake words of comfort to the living, from 1 Cor. 15. He was a faithful brother of the Amish church, and he leaves a widow and 4 children to mourn their loss."
Surname also spelled "Bechler" and "Beckler." Joseph was the oldest child of Elizabeth Bechler of Bisping, France. His birth certificate listed no father, and the suggestion is that he was illegitimate. One family tradition says he was the illegitimate son of a French soldier who was killed before he could marry Joseph's mother.
The following information was found in a biography of Joseph's brother, Christian, written in 1891:
"Mr. Bechler is one of a family of three sons born to Christian and Elizabeth (Bechler) Bechler, both of whom were born in Switzerland, and emigrated to France, where the father died in 1830, the mother's death occurring in New Orleans, La., in 1843. Their children are: Joseph (now deceased), Peter (a resident of Iowa) and Christian." Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891 PERSONAL SKETCHES, page 685 (found at http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/prairie/biog-pra.htm)
Joseph grew up in Bisping where he learned the trade of weaving and became a master weaver. When he was 24 years old, he married Catherina Sommer at the home of Christian Kemp at Bisping, Moselle, France. She had a daughter from a previous relationship. Joseph adopted Catharina's daughter, Maria, when the couple married and it is so noted on Maria's birth certificate.
Two years later following the death of their infant son, Peter, Joseph, Catherina and Maria emigrated to America, arriving in New York from Le Havre on the ship "Francis DePau" on July, 22, 1836. ( New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1836 > July > 22 > Francis Depau Ship's List, page 1)
Those on the ship included Joseph Backler 26, Catherina 27, Marie 5 and Peter Backler (Joseph's brother), and Joseph Sommer 74 and Barbe Sommer 75 (Catherina's parents).
[Also in the traveling party were Christian Sommer 32 and his wife, Marie Sommer 23, Salome Sommer 17 (Christian's sister) and Barbe Sommer 55 (Christian's mother and probably the daughter-in-law of Joseph Sommer and Elisabeth Barbe Gerber Sommer). Also on the ship, but not listed in order with the family, was Andre Sommer - 18 - probable brother of Christian Sommer. The Christian Sommer family settled initially in St. Louis, Missouri (1840 US Census, Missouri, St. Louis, District 166, p. 192) This family moved north to Woodford County around 1845. By 1850 the family included children Joseph -14, Mary-11, Christian- 8, and Elizabeth -6 ...all born in Missouri .... Peter -3, and Magdalene - 6 months .... both born in Illinois) 1850 US Census, Illinois, Woodford County, Family #674 ]
Joseph, Catherina and Maria Bechler and Catherina's parents traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio River arriving in Butler County Ohio where son Joseph Jr. was born in September, 1836. In the 1840 Census they were located in Milford, Butler County Ohio. Though not specifically enumerated, the household included Joseph, Katharina, Maria Sommer Bechler, Joseph Bechler Jr., Barbara Bechler, and an elderly female - presumably, Elizabeth Barbe Gerber (Catherina's mother).
1850 Census they were still in Milford, Butler County Ohio (as Joseph Beeker): Joseph (39), Catherine (41), Mary (18), Joseph (12), Barbary (10), Christian (7). Sometime after 1850, the family relocated to central Illinois.
In the 1860 Census, they were located in Montgomery Twsp., Woodford County: Joseph (49), Catherine (51) and son, Joseph, Jr. (23). Daughter, Barbara had married Jonas Troyer in January of 1860.
By 1870 Census, he was in Waldo Township of Livingston County with his wife, Catherine.
Joseph passed away on May 7, 1878 as the result of a gastric hemhorrage (according to his death certificate)
Gospel Herald Obituary:
"BAECHLER.-May 7th, in Livingston Co., Ill., Bro. JOSEPH BAECHLER, aged 67 years, and 8 months. Buried the 9th in the presence of many relatives and friends, at which time J. P. Smith and Jacob Naffziger spake words of comfort to the living, from 1 Cor. 15. He was a faithful brother of the Amish church, and he leaves a widow and 4 children to mourn their loss."
The following information was found in a biography of Joseph's brother, Christian, written in 1891:
"Mr. Bechler is one of a family of three sons born to Christian and Elizabeth (Bechler) Bechler, both of whom were born in Switzerland, and emigrated to France, where the father died in 1830, the mother's death occurring in New Orleans, La., in 1843. Their children are: Joseph (now deceased), Peter (a resident of Iowa) and Christian." Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas, Goodspeed Publishers, 1891 PERSONAL SKETCHES, page 685 (found at http://www.couchgenweb.com/arkansas/prairie/biog-pra.htm)
Joseph grew up in Bisping where he learned the trade of weaving and became a master weaver. When he was 24 years old, he married Catherina Sommer at the home of Christian Kemp at Bisping, Moselle, France. She had a daughter from a previous relationship. Joseph adopted Catharina's daughter, Maria, when the couple married and it is so noted on Maria's birth certificate.
Two years later following the death of their infant son, Peter, Joseph, Catherina and Maria emigrated to America, arriving in New York from Le Havre on the ship "Francis DePau" on July, 22, 1836. ( New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1836 > July > 22 > Francis Depau Ship's List, page 1)
Those on the ship included Joseph Backler 26, Catherina 27, Marie 5 and Peter Backler (Joseph's brother), and Joseph Sommer 74 and Barbe Sommer 75 (Catherina's parents).
[Also in the traveling party were Christian Sommer 32 and his wife, Marie Sommer 23, Salome Sommer 17 (Christian's sister) and Barbe Sommer 55 (Christian's mother and probably the daughter-in-law of Joseph Sommer and Elisabeth Barbe Gerber Sommer). Also on the ship, but not listed in order with the family, was Andre Sommer - 18 - probable brother of Christian Sommer. The Christian Sommer family settled initially in St. Louis, Missouri (1840 US Census, Missouri, St. Louis, District 166, p. 192) This family moved north to Woodford County around 1845. By 1850 the family included children Joseph -14, Mary-11, Christian- 8, and Elizabeth -6 ...all born in Missouri .... Peter -3, and Magdalene - 6 months .... both born in Illinois) 1850 US Census, Illinois, Woodford County, Family #674 ]
Joseph, Catherina and Maria Bechler and Catherina's parents traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio River arriving in Butler County Ohio where son Joseph Jr. was born in September, 1836. In the 1840 Census they were located in Milford, Butler County Ohio. Though not specifically enumerated, the household included Joseph, Katharina, Maria Sommer Bechler, Joseph Bechler Jr., Barbara Bechler, and an elderly female - presumably, Elizabeth Barbe Gerber (Catherina's mother).
1850 Census they were still in Milford, Butler County Ohio (as Joseph Beeker): Joseph (39), Catherine (41), Mary (18), Joseph (12), Barbary (10), Christian (7). Sometime after 1850, the family relocated to central Illinois.
In the 1860 Census, they were located in Montgomery Twsp., Woodford County: Joseph (49), Catherine (51) and son, Joseph, Jr. (23). Daughter, Barbara had married Jonas Troyer in January of 1860.
By 1870 Census, he was in Waldo Township of Livingston County with his wife, Catherine.
Joseph passed away on May 7, 1878 as the result of a gastric hemhorrage (according to his death certificate)
Gospel Herald Obituary:
"BAECHLER.-May 7th, in Livingston Co., Ill., Bro. JOSEPH BAECHLER, aged 67 years, and 8 months. Buried the 9th in the presence of many relatives and friends, at which time J. P. Smith and Jacob Naffziger spake words of comfort to the living, from 1 Cor. 15. He was a faithful brother of the Amish church, and he leaves a widow and 4 children to mourn their loss."
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