Ancestry
Hilfiker Ancestry
By Alfred Hilfiker
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ancestry 03 - HILFIKON village referred to Hilfiker family name
Ancestry 07 - Kölliker family name or the backface of the medal
Ancestry 09 - Hilfikers Emigration; when, referred to Kölliken and Safenwil
Ancestry 10 - Hilfikers Pioneer # 1, referred to the branch of Safenwil
Ancestry 11 - Swiss Contradictions: Neutrality, Soldiers & Red Cross, general information
Ancestry 15 - Attitude, Character, Religion of the Jöri Sämi Hannes Hilfiker
Ancestry 16 - The unreasonable drinking habits of Jöri Sämi Hannes family
Ancestry 17 - Natural Euthanasia - Jackob *1869 mar. 1893 † 1951 example
Ancestry 18 - Who collected the information we dispense
Ancestry 28 - French revolution & invasion of Switzerland; what is left ?
Ancestry - John Hilfiker *1858 Eureka while did he emigrate
Fre John 68 - Extract of the letter from an emigrant to America
Fre John 70 - Passengars departed aboard the ship "de Hoop" to Philadelphia May 9, 1817
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Ancestry 03 Jan 5th 2002
Feb 16th 2002
HILFIKON village referred to Hilfiker family name
Hilfikon is located in the county of Aargau (county of the river Aare) 3 miles North from the county border of Luzern exactly halfway on the line connecting city and lake of Luzern to Koblenz. Koblenz in latin means confluence of the rivers Aare and Rhein. Koblenz was an important Roman military station during the invasion of Germany about 2000 years ago. The location of Hilfikon, whitch means help, is 1000 feet higher then the nearby lake and has a small castle. We where not able to find a meaning to the toponomyn Hilfikon until by case I met in Italy a family bearing the name Auxilia. Now Auxilia means exactly Hilfiker but if you look in the Webster dictionary you will find that Auxilia means auxiliar soldier, or foreign soldier (when referred to persons) and station to enlist soldiers, when referred to a place. While and when the latin name was translated into German we don't know.
It may interest that Aargau is prevalently protestant while Luzern is catholic and up to the present the Vatican hires part of his Swiss guards south from Hilfikon. Hilfikon has just a few houses belonging, I think, to the village of Boswil. The telephone directory of Boswil lists 15 Hilfiker. The history of Boswil is precisely described in a book of Franz Kretz published in 1991. While the name comes from the Romans, history and economy of the place were under control of the nearby Monastery of Muri, 6 miles away. This explains the existence of two different Hilfiker Clans in Aargau, the one of Boswil Catholic who remained and, the one who left protestant in Kölliken and surroundings. So far as I know the two groups have had no contact; over 4 centuries and living 11 miles apart!
Family names are relatively recent, previously priesters and the aristocracy had some. In the region, the first name and the one of the house where used. Most of the immigrants to America came from Kölliken, the (Habermushof) which means porridge court. Some families had a chain of names of the ancestors so, I remember my grandfather Jackob being called Jöry Sämi Hannes and, in my case my name would be: Jöry Sämi Hannes Jackobes Jackob / Alfred.
Thanks to the knowledge of my ancestors, I could insert our branch in the family tree most of you have.
The reformator Ulrich Zwingli *1484†1531 forced the use of family names and to hold anagrafic records in churches.
In 1975, with Earl *1905 †1993 of Rochester N.Y. 284 Sommershire, we visited Hilfikon
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 06 Jan 7th 2002 / Feb 17th 2002
From Hilfikon over Lenzburg to Kölliken
The present information derives from a research made by Emil Koprio, in 1957 published
on page. 13/14 on a phanplet of the "Vereinigung für Heimatkunde des Suhrentales und Umgebung". by the way, Koprio made later the family trees we have.
The name Roudi Hilffiker appears as witness in a controversy about a border in 1481 in Othmarsingen, about 6 miles North from Hilfikon, that proves that he was living in the place since many years.
Next information comes out of the record of the town of Lenzburg, some miles West from Othmarsingen. A certain Hans Ulrich Hilficker, cooper (barrel maker) was in 1584 remainded, in 1585 in jail, in 1589 fined and in 1591 expulsed. All this happened because Ulrich was a Baptist.
At that time a radical protestant movement which ended with the Amish movement of Pennsylvania was founded by Jackob Amman.
Escaped from Lenzburg in 1592 Ulrich Hilfiker and Apolonia Kieser baptize in the church of Kölliken a son Jackob. In 1596 Ulrich is witness at the wedding (probably) of his brother Jackob with Vreni Raetzer. From here on we record brother Jackob, he was buried as a baptist with the name "Joggi" (probably had no regular funeral). The couple Jackob/Vreni had 4 daughters and 2 living sons. Son Hans *1603 †1658 married Barbara Suter and had again 4 daughters and 2 living sons. Rudi *1628 married in 1647 Rosina Suter "no mistake" who gave continuity to the Kölliker branch. Jackob *1643 married in 1666 Christine Leinhard and later Elisabeth Zimmerli. Jackob gave origin to the Safenwil branch.
According to my grandfather Jackob Kölliken *1869†1951 the brothers where three, the third started the branch in Muhen (village at the Southern border of Kölliken). My grandpa referred the three bothers were strong and healthy to the point they used to go barefoot in winter. In the family tree we do not find the three brothers, still we have to consider that the facts differ in time by 7 generations!
To understand the dislocation of the Hilfiker we have to consider that up to 100 years ago in the region you had to belong and worship the religion of the place, if the place was catholic you had to be catholic or, go. We can assume that our ancestors settled in Kölliken because the community was tolerant, attribute valid also to day.
As a time reference: Hilffikers where in Othmarsingen in 1481 while Martin Luther started the reform in 1518 and the Kanton Bern and Aargau adhered to the reform in 1528.
The protestant reform in the region was strongly pursued by Ulrich Zwingli 1484/1531 which afixed rigorous rules and thanks to them, we have reliable records of our ancestors. It is difficult to evaluate how much religion, economy and politics did influence each other certainly the Baptists at that time where radical to the point of share their belongings. They where persecuted so that the reformator Zwingli made some of them drown in the lake of Zurich, (good old times).
At the present the telephone directory for Aargau counts 37 Hilfikers phone numbers in Safenwil, 15 in Kölliken, 15 in Boswil, 5 in Muhen, totally 100 in the County.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 07 March 4th. 2002
Kölliker family name or the backface of the medal
In Ancestry 06 we described how and while our ancestor moved from Hilfikon to Kölliken.
Interesting it is to state that all over Switzerland we find 571 Kölliker family name but none
in Kölliken;
Zürich 42 phone connections
Bern 12
Geneva 6
Lausanne 6
On hand of the first names we can assume Köllikers are meanly catholic.
In Turin (Italy) there is a well known private Hospital named Kölliker
It could be of interest to find out who in the 16.century came and left Kölliken. We can make an assumption, farmers remained, eventually they changed confession, people from other parts came and part of the Nomenclatura, the conservative, left. This assumption is based on the fact that for many centuries Kölliken belonged to the monastery of St. Gallen later it came under aristocracy, in both case they did lend the land and rise taxes. The people on the place representing the aristocracy were literate had to leave and were integrated in the cities. Were they relocated they were called Kölliker.
Anyhow emigration, according to religion, was different in time and destination, this is a more than regional aspect we better at the moment ignore.
This is to say that while Hilfiker were welcome in Kölliken, part of the natives did leave when Bern and consequently Kölliken in 1528 joined the reformation.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 08 March 22nd 2002
Hilfikers religious epic
Our present life is not directly conditioned by religion or belief, not so for our ancestors, we can imagine what happened:
1483
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Our ancestors are living in Othmarsingen 10 miles North from Hilfikon. Hilfikon was at the time propriety of the nearby Monastery of Muri and for anyone born in the area is destine was to be Landknecht (land servants) for life unless he belonged to aristocracy. If today you enter the church of Muri you will be impressed by the huge baroque building with the inside color gold. The effect is wealth and power. If this is the present you can imagine 5 centuries ago! The fact that our ancestors moved to a more progressive place and left the conventional church proves that they were willing to take risks rather then be land servants for life.
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1455
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Gütenberg introduces book printing
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1500
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Columbus followers land in North America
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1518
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Luther starts the protestant reform
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1519
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The council of the city of Zürich elects the catholic priest Zwingli at the head of their main church "Grossmünster" and a commission has to study a religious reform from the inside
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1520
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Due to the plague 30% of the population in the next years dies, Zwingli gets sick but recovers.
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1522
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Due to the interference of the bishop of Konstance Zwingli resigns as priest and is right away reemployed as reformer by the city council. Basically the reform was decided by the city council.
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1523-5
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Three disputations between reformer and radical protestant ended when the radicals, anabaptist were banished from Zürich
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1528
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Canton Bern and Aargau, as consequence, decide to adhere to the reform.
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1592
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Our folks where forced to leave Lenzburg for Kölliken to find tolerance for their Anabaptist faith.
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1683
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Date of birth of Hans Rudi Hilfiker "Chorrichter" a judge elected inside the protestant church council.
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1817
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Pioneer # 1 did settle in Montgomery County Pa. in an Amish and Quaker region.
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Our Ancestors were reformed protestants or Anababtist? The answer is both and, since the reform and the birth of Anabaptists took place in our region we will try to understand what happened.
Basically Zwingli and his men wanted to change the church from the inside, they went on for a couple of years saying mass as before (Swiss pragmatism) because changes had to be made slowly so that people could get better instructed and follow. Finally two groups emerged, the one of Zwingli and that of the Anabaptists so we can compare the two positions:
Zwingli
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Anabaptist
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commitment from state and church
infant baptism as a rite to identify the citizen
of Zürich "birth certificate", introduction in the society
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separation from church and state; achieved two centuries later with the French revolution
have a believers baptism to avoid hordes of unregenerate people
non violence, the Christian shall not make war
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The position of Zwingli reflects the position and the interests of the city council and, of their inhabitants. Zürich was and is a rich commercial city.
The position of the Anabaptists is the one of the rural population which has space for idealism and usually food for their stomach.
From this point of view both were right, unfortunately the Anabaptis have been hardly persecuted and nearly extinguished.
In Canton Bern and Aargau the Brudergemeinschaften are frequent, so the oldest Anabaptist church is in Langental "15 miles from Kölliken" and the birthplace of Jackob Amman *1656 "Amish" is close by.
In the description about Mennoniten and Amish (I Iisted five more denominations) we read that all the movement had origin in Switzerland.
A connection between the movements in Nederland, the one in Alsazia, north West Germany and Switzerland looked for me as unrealistic. Still there is a connection like a red tape, the Rhein river!
According to my opinion the Anabaptist movement under the six different denominations had and has success thanks to the farmers wife.
From what I do remember half a century ago a farmers wife "Meisterin" had a 18 hours working day, 7 days a week, she had to care for the family, for the garden, fields, for pigs, hens, bake bread, make the laundry and bring to world, in the average, every 18 months, a baby. She was living mostly in places where usually nobody came by and, on Sunday, she found not the force to go to church. The method of the Anabaptists to have families visited by brothers was successful since, for these farmers, it was the only contact with the outside world, they got information, the farmers wife had the possibility to serve better food as usual, she could invite other Anabaptists and hear how good she was and what she had to do to improve. If this formula will stand the challenge of TV and Internet has to be proved. Favorable is the fact that most people are by nature hospitable.
Today the Amish movement is the most known, in fact it is the last movement grown on the base of a protestant scission occurred in late 1525 in Zürich.
Alfred Hilfiker
ANABAPTIST
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rebaptised
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BRETHER
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brotherhood, Brudergemeinschaft
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MÜNSTERRITEN
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comes from Münster Westfalen Germany, they actuated the Kingdom of Zion from Jan 23, 1536 to July 24, 1536 with Johan Von Leiden and Matthis as leaders (described in the opera THE PROFETH by Messerobeer 1869)
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OBBENITTEN
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followers of Obb Philip
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MENNONITEN
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followers of Menno Simmon *1492 †1561
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HOFFMANNITEN
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HUTTERITEN
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AMISH
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followers of Jackob Amman *1656 in Madiswil AG lived in Erlensbach BE, did flee to Alsace † 1730
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Detailed description is found under - Anabaptist and Mennonite - from Stan Nelson
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Ancestry 09 Jan 8th 2002
Feb 18th 2002
Hilfikers Emigration; when
referred to Kölliken and Safenwil
First we try to make a picture of the place Kölliken - Safenwil
The place is half way between Bern and Zürich (total distance 80 miles) that means the traffic East West passed through the two villages. Kölliken was more agricultural while Safenwil had stables for additional horses to help the carriages to overcome a hill "Strigel high difference 450 ft. Safenwil had also many taverns black smith etc. As the railway came, this income was gone.
In addition the location on the traffic East West axis there where two parallel roads going North South just a few miles from these places. This means that thanks to the traffic, people living in the area were well informed on what was going on. The high of Kölliken is 460m(1500ft), Safenwil is 506m(1700ft.) That of the rivers, Aare 380m(1230ft), Rhein 300m(1000ft) and the hill to be crossed to reach the river Rhein, "Staffelegg" 620m(2000ft.)
The soil has clay and chalk rocks; the water is therefore particularly hard. The clime is good for wheat farming, fruits are limited to apples & cherries. Tomatos and raisins have difficulty ripening. Our place is rather windy although in autumn and winter it is foggy (not due to smog). In this season it happens that, for weeks, you miss the sun. There are large woods (pines and beech) which in 1880 covered 50% of the area, probably the same percentage as today. In 1592, when coming form Lenzburg, the place where they settled in the West of Kölliken, was probably a sump for the Romans where forced to build their road higher up, parallel to the creek and in the place of our original homestead this road crossed the water. This roman road lies presently about 3 ft under the earth, we know that since my father has seen it when doing some works. This road is made of pine logs of 1 ft dia. one closed to the other and the road was used so intensively that between the logs they found shoes of roman mules. These details had been observed by my father, I imagine around 1910.
On the creek a tannery was operating up to 1940 as well as brick and tiles plant not far away. Bernhard Hilfiker, former owner of the brick factory, left for America in 1848.
The original home of the Hilfiker was called "porridge court" because the farm had the servitude to offer a soup to the constables of Bern passing by, this between 1460 and 1798.
As I remember the place in 1940 (when I was 11 old), the Hof (suburb of Kölliken) had 5 Houses with barns. The "porridge courts" inhabitants where Hilfikers which did not farm any more. We did not consider them relatives. In a Farm East lived a Hilfiker family of which the wife returned as an adult from USA. The distances between these houses is about 1000 feet. The farm from which I descend was and still is farmed and there are two more farms with two families named Müller, we consider relatives since two brothers Müller married the Hilfiker girls when the males left (I guess 4 generations ago.) So far the description of what you still can see but we would do better to consider the situation, say round 1800 when emigration began.
We find information in the book about Kölliken and in a book of Albert Hauser prof. in history of economy which describes the situation in the 19th century. The number of inhabitants of Kölliken (and we can assume that the figures for Safenwil are similar) where: 1700-500, 1800-1160, 1900-2000, and 1990-3600. We notice that the demographic increase between 1700 and 1800 was particularly strong, according to my opinion thanks to the better nutrition due to the introduction from America of potatoes, carrots; corn and tomatos (the last in other regions).
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In 1791 the French revolution took place, in 1798 the French invaded our region (until 1848) and up to 12,000 French soldiers were stationed, raising taxes, forcing men to the army and providing the requisition of horses and food. This is just part of the picture for, the army service in Switzerland was, and still is, compulsory. Now we read that between 1790 - 1796 soldiers went in service with the troops of Bern as mercenaries for campaigns in France, Spain and Italy. From the 12 who left, 7 died, 2 returned and 3 deserted. Other data from that period; from 87: 33 returned, 25 died and 29 deserted. Now, as long as the French where in Switzerland a deserter had to hide.
We have spoken about potatoes, army and let us see now the position of trades. Everyone in the region was a farmer and a weaver. In addition, he was probably familiar with other trades such as: tanner, brick maker, saddler, cooper, bleacher, cigar producer and so on. The villages where poor, cities with commerce where rich but in the city all trades where controlled by strong corporations and the father passed to the son position and power; for an outsider it was hopeless!
In my opinion the first emigration wave, at the beginning of 1800 was to avoid the army service with the French; the second wave, toward 1860 and later, was due to the railway.
This requires an explanation. As long as transport where made by horse the cost, of say wheat, doubled every 50 miles, this as consequence of natural deterioration, time and robbery. This adapted the prices of food to the quantity of crops. As soon as the railway ~1847 came up, when crops where bad, the food was imported from where there it was plentiful! This caused prices to drop and forced farmers to cultivate more extensively. Exactly the present problem of globalization, but on a regional scale.
I noticed that the oral information we have in the two continents differ considerably and there are many misunderstandings. Of my granduncle John *1857†1940 we know he was extremely progressive. He left in 1876, returned to Switzerland in 1882 when his father died, and left again in 1884. By the way, the railway which runs through Kölliken went into service in 1877!
On misunderstandings, we knew that before he left for California, he lived in Ontario. When in Switzerland Ontario was a province of Canada, in fact he was living close to Rochester N Y in a town called Ontario.
By reading the book about Kölliken, the name Hilfiker appears rather seldom, not because they where not prolific but because they left. In that book there are lists of persons who had their emigration partially paid. One modest resource was the value of the firewood for which every citizen had and has annually the right.
When someone left, he sold to the relatives the part of heredity he assumed to have. The problem was that who took over did not have the money to pay for it. This caused some resentful situations. Another marginal problem were the musical instruments. Most families had different instruments such as clarinet, guitar, violin, harmonica, and trumpet since everybody was playing. Those who left, wanted to take with him an instrument and this brought the whole orchestra out of balance.
The reason while the Hilfiker from Kölliken left a couple of generations after the ones of Safenwil is that around 1815 a storm destroyed a large amount of trees. This enlarged the farmland and the village allowed them to use the timber to build three new farms with houses. One of these was built in 1817 by Johannes *1788†1840 of which I am a descendent.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 10 Jan 27th 2002
Feb 18th 2002
Hilfikers Pioneer # 1
referred to the branch of Safenwil
According the data we have the first, to cross the ocean was Jack *1782 of Safenwil. Of him we know; he left with Maria Percilla as wife and a child Rudolf *1815, they sailed from Antwerp to Marcus Hook and landed presumably in Baltimore PE in 1817
From his age, 35 and the name of his wife we can assume that he probably took part in the mercenary campaign under the flag of Aargau in Spain between 1804 and 1810, he was paid for 6 years engagement and obtained (with due delay) a pension. The wife Maria Percilla was probably Spanish, and transferred to the severe Swiss clime, may have had problems in adapting herself.
If all this are just assumptions without a base, we can take a look to the somatic traits of the family: had some of the Hilfickers ancestor dark hair or brown eyes?
Let us picture the political situation of the time: 1791 the French revolution, 1798 Napoleon invades Switzerland, robs the gold from the vaults in Bern and to empower them he grants Autonomy to Canton Aargau. Swiss were the best friends of Frances King, indirectly they are the enemies of the republicans. The Swiss had little interest to serve Napoleon, it was dangerous for life and remuneration.
To avoid problems the Swiss offered troops to the King of Spain for wars against France and England in Portugal. The king of Spain was anyhow a good client of Swiss mercenary troops since they had stationary Swiss regiments all over the 18th century. In 1804 5 Swiss emigrant regiments left, probably over Austria and by sea to Spain. Emigrant regiments since they were formed by illegal emigrants joined in nearby Germany. Aargau as independent Kanton was present with 1909 men under the command of Schmid. I did read that this contingent was formed with a compulsory draft! I cannot see how this could have been possible during the French occupation.
This means Jack left with 22, returned 28, waited for the pay and left with 35. When we look at Marcus Hook passengers list we find 9 Hilfikers of which just one has not a deformed name. One comes from Kölliken two from Aargau and six from Zofingen. Now all were from Aargau anyhow and certainly none were from Zofingen since the Hilfiker from Safenwil did belong to the city of Zofingen. The reason of this confusion was to avoid the sanctions of the French toward the remaining relatives of illegal emigrants. Probably the German writing in use at the time did help to increase this artificial confusion. I am convinced that this was a group of war veterans who organized their emigration for they had the age, experience and the money.
This all may sound incredible for people who had no war experience, not for me, during world war two, during the German occupation of Italy I had two different documents in my pants, one for Germans and one for the Partisans "guerrilla".
All this leads to the Swiss contradiction: NEUTRALITY, SOLDIERS, and RED CROSS. To explain this, more than two words are needed. The topic does not regard just Hilfikers nevertheless it is necessary to understand our past. Ancestry 11 will help.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 11 Jan 28th 2002
Feb 19th 2002
Swiss Contradictions: NEUTRALITY, SOLDIERS & RED CROSS,
general information
From 1350 to 1610 the northern part of Europe enjoyed a mild clime, this means that the limit of vegetation growth in the mountains raised by 1500 ft.
This means that populations like the "Valser" settled and made their living higher up in the mountains and conquered peacefully all the alps. This also means that it was easy to cross the Alps in any season "important for the supply of salt". Finally, it meant enough food.
These favorable circumstances did not exist previous and after the period 1350/1610 when food was, in the North of the Alps a serious problem. **
It is recorded that South of the Alps they suffered invasions by barbarians form the North. Now try to imagine, it is May and you have your fields covered with snow; the only thing you can do is move South. Though we do not know where these migrations were, we certainly understand that they occurred and that the local population got organized to pare the invasions. This forced the invaders to adapt themselves and with the time it was a military plundering.
Beside clime influence a transformation in the military organization occurred and became a state controlled mercenary engagement under the slogan: LOYALTY & HONOR.
When we speak of mercenary soldiers we think to something similar to the French Foreign Legionaries so we better look at the difference. A man signing for the "Legion Etranger" has to have attitudes and be willing to serve for say 8 years under an unknown command.
A Swiss mercenary soldier would swear according to a treaty of his State with some King with clear conditions for pay "sold" special money by winning a battle, pension and of course duration. He would stand under the command of his state officials and under the Swiss jurisdiction. The Swiss mercenary contingent where considered extraterritorial. They had an extreme autonomy and cared for their own supply and paid for their equipment and organization. Typical for them was utmost discipline, exclusively foot soldiers and great mobility. If they where in the position to avoid artillery it was nearly impossible to beat them. Their arms where, stones, spears, halabards "axes" and later rifles. Stones of 1 lb. "every one had 4-5 on spare" where used to hurt horses and get rid of cavalry, spears where 15 ft. long and who was not able to handle them properly, was not of the party. Their mobility was famous, it happened, their homeland was invaded so they returned from Austria. The last march was of 70 miles non-stop; 2 hours rest, then they won the battle. The term fitness was unknown but in use. This is the military part, the political was as important.
The treaty assured that in case of necessity the King was committed to help the Swiss, the payment always went to the State "Canton", the commitment they had was clearly specified, the Swiss would never have to fight against other Swiss. The treaty was completed with a list of commercial privileges in favor of Switzerland.
** Our present clime problem goes back to a time when CO2 emissions and Ozone where unknown
Due to these treaties, every King had representatives in Switzerland to obtain payment delays and new army contingents and the Swiss were well represented with delegates in their King's houses to deal the conditions for the next agreement.
Indirectly Switzerland influenced European politics for over 400 years. The negative aspect was that the republican Swiss where the strongest supporters of the French and all other European Monarchies; the protestant Swiss did fight against the French Huguenots since, Business is Business ............. or, they had to stand for engagements they had sworn for.
Today's Swiss commercial power in places such as Asia, North America, derive mainly from the time when the export was prevalently war and blood, I repeat 400 years long!
Into this picture we have to knit the Swiss neutrality and the Red Cross
The Neutrality was the consequence of the defeat of Marignano 10 miles South of Milan, Italy in Sept. 1515 when the Swiss where fighting against the French and on the battlefield remained 10 to 12,000 deaths. As said before, at this battle, participating as chaplain, was Ulrich Zwingli who became an important Protestant Reformer and had, an important political influence. To him we can thank the Swiss aim for Neutrality. Zwinglis objective was to abolish the mercenary service but since he died in 1531 he was not able to pursue this project.
The Red Cross was the result of another defeat of Swiss troops in Italy. This happened June 26th. 1859 in Solferino; a slaughter of ........men. Present as surgeon was Henry Dunad *1828 †1910 a wealthy man of Geneva who dedicated all his money and time in this project and ended his days forgotten and in poverty.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 12 Jan 9th 2002
Feb 19th 2002
Hilfiker's name diversification
I do claim that none of our emigrants had a different name than Hilfiker before he left.
When, short after, 1800 emigrants left Safenwil it was during the French occupation, emigration of young man was forbidden (Napoleon needed soldiers not emigrants) and persecutions for the remaining relatives were hanging, they used the formula of outmost confusion. So we find in the same passengers list the names Hilfiker, Hilfiber, Hilfliber & Hilsiker. No question that the errors where made purposely. To help the wanted confusion was the German writing in use at the time.
Arriving in America the conversion to the original name found some difficulties so in the case of Jackob *1782 from Safenwil settled in Montgomery County PA it became Hilficker and Hilfiger.
Another use of name diversification was discovered in 1972 when with Earl "nephew" and Grace Hilfiker Vinegard daughter in law of Jacob Hilfiker *1846 †1927 we went through his army records
when Jak arrived in US he was 16 years and signed as a volunteer for one year with the name Hilfiger and indicating 18 years of age in Company E 131st. regiment, New York volunteers.
Next year Jak enlisted again with the name Hilficker, still 18 of age
Finally in June 27th 1865 he was mustered out with the correct name and age.
This proves that the first wave of emigration ~1810 and the second ~1860 and the branches of Safenwil and Kölliken in Pennsylvania, Indiana and N.Y. state, did communicate.
It is true, in the records of 1500 we find Hilficker written so and Hilffiker but we have to remember that at that time the written language was Latin and the languages such as French, German and Italian came in use in the 18th and 19th century, when the European Nations where formed thanks to Napoleon. By the way, from that time we have in heredity the metric standards.
Not to mention that our Swiss German dialect is still today an unwritten language.
Find the sequence in the variations of the name Kölliken:
Cholinchove
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864
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Cholinchova
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893
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Chollinchoven
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1050
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Chollinchovum
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1100
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Chollinchon
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1184
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Kollichon
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1224
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Chöllikon
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1283
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Köllikon
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1306
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I imagine the root Chöl means Kohl in German and cabbage in English. So simple is it; still if you wish, someone can find a less prosaic explanation and indicate Roman origins.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 15 Jan 10th 2002
Feb 19th 2002
Attitude, Character, Religion of the Jöri Sämi Hannes Hilfiker
When my Mother, Thekla Hilfiker Belz *1905 †1986 told her pastor, she wanted to marry a man from Kölliken he said they are:
loyal
generous
hard working
but they are hardly capable of forgiveness
This was in 1926; I am afraid it is true.
Before the reformation the doctrine was: You are bound to hell unless you pay taxes, you must go as a pilgrim to Rome once in your life and buy indulgence.
Martin Luther 1483/1546 Wittenberg Germany:
was a well educated priest
was a extraordinary theologian
a good writer in Latin and German
a military leader and a componist (something like an icebreaker.)
His doctrine was: you are saved by faith.
Ulrich Zwiling 1484/1531 Swiss:
operated in Zurich
was a good theologian
had a good Latin education
was a Chaplain with the Swiss mercenary troops in Italy
had the advantage of the previous fore work of Luther
was a good leader
died in war
was a good organizer
His doctrine was: pray and work.
John Calvin 1509/1564 French:
lived in Geneva
had Latin studies in law in order to become a businessman
initially had no theological studies
had to leave France when he was involved with the reform
His doctrine: pray and work, work is a social duty, the success proves Gods blessing
I hope no clergyman will ever read my simplified approach to religion.
I do feel that in Kölliken the church has rules and liturgy based on Zwingli while the ethic of people is typical Calvinist.
If you look at the stone plate of the church of Kölliken you find the list of the past Pastors, none has a name of the region so no Hilfiker Pastors.
I will explain the difference in ethics according my personal experience.
When I was 10 years old I spent 4 weeks of every year on vacation in Thurgau (my mothers home) and 4 in Aargau (Fathers place). In Thurgau, with Zwingli ethic, we were considered children and, had to care for light duty jobs. In Köllilken, we boys were considered small adults and had to take responsibility and were fully involved in the production process. My problem was, I was not trained.
In Kölliken, on a Sunday afternoon we usually had visits from relatives. We children played "blind cow ? " for a while to end up with shooting fire arms and instruction on arms respect and handling. The "Ambiente" on the farm is perfectly described by a pastor writer "Jeremias Gothelf" in the book the black spider. You where hardly allowed to be sick "just forget about", attitude which changed as soon as you had a serious problem.
Bad words or swear words where unknown. If someone did something wrong, he would meet the "Meister" without anybody else listening. The wife of the boss "Meisterin" was fully independent and her competence sphere well defined.
Mix farming was general 8 to 10 milk cows, two horses (in 1945) where considered a good size farm, at our home we always had 1 or 2 handicapped persons as social engagement, integrated in the family. The meal began with a prayer. During the meal absolute silence was observed; at the end the oldest would say the prayer again, make a weather forecast; and assign to everyone a job. Never where given orders since the formula was "would you mind to go up and turn the hay?"
Our family lost for about 2 generations contact with our overseas parents. In 1954 we met in Rome great-uncle John from Arcata Ca. and we remained in epistolary contact. In 1966 with my wife Beatrice we decided to pay a visit to Eureka. As we landed, as large as the airport building was as long was the line of relatives! Also Sandra Knopf was of that party. From then on its a go and come at any occasion and, I am afraid today a younger generation is more active in these contacts.
In Eureka we found a family tree arrived there from N.Y. State and knowing we are "Jöri Samuel Hannes Jackob" it was no problem to trace our own tree.
We did visit on further occasions Earl and the Rochester clan and what I could notice in 1966, Hilfikers on both sides of the ocean bear following features:
nearly without exception the Hilfikers had independent jobs
not one smoked
without exception, their wives were teachers or nurses
no one would use an electric shaver (not good enough)
there is a good number of left handers
most have a good attitude about hand work
most are Jack of all trades
on both sides of the ocean we have cases of "legastenie"(Dislexia); I am such a case, but at that time the problem was unknown so it did not exist.
The Americans were taller and stronger; a good blood mix is always sound.
Earl was a professional photographer while I did photography as a hobby. On a visit in Rochester in 1972, he had just changed his Exacta camera with a Japanese Olympus. In my bag I had exactly the same model, more, we did not have standard objectives since we preferred less luminous ones to obtain harder pictures, so we had both special objectives; a transoceanic coordination?
Alfred Hifiker
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Ancestry 16 Feb 2nd 2002
Feb 20th 2002
The unreasonable drinking habits of Jöri Sämi Hannes family
My Father Jackob *1895†1964 died at the age of 69 due to complications of a prostate operation.
It would have been a normal problem many men have at this age.
When problems occurred, without asking advise of any doctor, he decided to cure himself by not drinking for about a week, this in summer. In so doing he nearly poisoned himself and so a regular case became particular.
It was a strange behavior for an open-minded person used always to search for help in books. In my opinion he was conditioned by the drinking habits of the family.
I am referring to the non-written laws in use on the farm you have pictures of. At breakfast was milk and coffee; there was no drinking at dinner nor at supper besides soup or milk and coffee.
On the other hand, in the cellar there was always a small barrel of red wine, a barrel of cider and when in summer we had plenty of fruits. Grandpa would, in autumn, distill plums and cherries.
When using a glass you should drink one or two drafts and position the glass on the table, never holding the glass in your hands. By drinking at the fountain, you should not drink from the water stream but out of your hand and, important, just one swallow and then a pause. Nothing wrong on all this except that these rules bring you to drink insufficiently.
Behind this habit was the fear of drinking, a parallel attitude to that in the US that lead to prohibition.
In our specific case, in ~ 1900 in our farm in Kölliken, upstairs lived a family how's Father worked in the Bally shoe factory. This man had to walk, twice a day 11/4 hours, to go back and forth to work, 6 days a week and for 12 hour work days. It is true they may not have worked so intensively as today, anyhow this man could see his children only on a Sunday. In these conditions it was understandable that on his coming and going the man stopped in a tavern and if alcohol became a vice they often drank methylic alcohol who's consequences where dementia and the ruin of the family. 100 years ago this problem was even more acute than today.
Other similar mistakes where made in those days so I know my grandmother would not give her breast to my Father just because it was not used at the time! It's incredible, they had such a good feeling for nature but would not do what any animal does. Of course they had great problems in getting babies acquainted to cows milk and food; the consequence was rachitis. I know that my Grandfather was very concerned with the feeding of his many nephews.
My opinion is that at the beginning of 1900 they trusted in progress so much that they where blind.
What I refer to is what my father told me. It is strange and sad that he fell victim to the mistakes he denounced.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 17 March 5th. 2002
natural Euthanasia
Jackob * 1869 8 1893 † 1951 example
The costs of health care in Switzerland are going out of control and it is known that the total medical and hospital costs are consumed 75% in the last year of life. This did not apply to my grandfather Jackob who had anyhow no insurance but to understand his approach and solution you have to know the man; he was a Character.
When he was 13 his father 66 had an accident; he was hurt by the horn of a bull, did break some ribs, got a pneumonia and died. At the age of 13 Jackob was the head of a family with mother, 5 sisters and a brother Rudolf 6. When in 1882 the older brother John returned from US because of father's departure he found a functional structure so that he probably did not got involved so, we know he did work for installations on the milk and cheese cooperative and made the drainage of some fields. When old brother left in 1884 the two sisters Rosa and Vreni followed him to Eureka, we do not know when this happened.
Jackob married in 81893 Luise Suter, probably his school sweetheart, they had the same age and same road to school. My granma was good looking, a lady and today we would say an intellectual. Her life could be so hard she could look over and have other interests, she always had correspondence. Grandmother was family's administrator.
Grandmother and my father were connected with telepathy, they would usually write to each other simultaneously.
Although we remember my grandfather when he was old and tough, in his youth he must have been different so he was in the village council when they decided to build the present school 1910, he was involved when in ~ 1931 they decided to build the first public swimming pool in the region, of course he did not swim. He would spend two hours on a Sunday afternoon in a tavern while he would have preferred to sit at the sun, just to show that he was part of the community.
He had absolutely no respect for superstition. If somewhere in the night in the wood sprits would dance, it was exactly the place where he had to pass. If beans had to be planted according the moon, he did just consider the weather.
As a farmer he was progressive, had poor looking cattle, comparatively much milk. He would buy cattle with all kind of exterior defects and good performance. The same for horses, he bought some with bad character convinced as he was he was able to correct them,
His farm machinery was the best; Mc Corney? I had to wash and oil them.
He was also firemen captain and had a specialty; when a farm did burn, he and his crew did rescue person animals and personal belonging as good as it was possible, they waited the fire to extinguish then the firemen pulled down the remaining stone walls. At the time every farm, by law, had to be insured but the insurance deducted the value of the remaining walls, so my granpa helped to make a clear position and have the top sum refunded.
Nobody knew if he was rich or poor, bank secret already existed, when in the family someone had a reasonable use for money he was available.
In winter Jackob did read books, when he visited my father in Italy he had absolutely no problem in going round in the big city alone. I remember he told me when I was about 9 that I would be the first of the family not getting bold, my hairs where black and hard like a brush, this is to prove that he was not always right, at 20 I had a high forehead at 30 a bald head.
Grfather and Grma were completely different; Granma in front line, Granpa in the back exactly as shown in the Photograph, they had tensions, nowadays they would have divorced, at that time they avoided to involve other people with their problems, they where respectful to each other and cared for the family's integrity, in case of necessity the tension was transformed in devotion.
When Jackob had passed 80 years he still did ride his bike. One day he returned home while the "tour de Suisse" was passing, it is a bike race accompanied by dozens of cars, noise and traffic. Asked if he had to stop he said, as long as they are allowed to ride I am too.
I have not to hide the fact that we citizens had problems he was so used to control his forces that he couldn't imagine us going out of steam. Another fact that we citizens arrived always during Hay and wheat crops and were not trained, finally I had no occasion to observe for longer time farm life in autumn and winter.
The relax of Jackob was milking cows and hammering scythes. His wife died two years before him, he went on hand milking when machine milking was already installed and in use.
A certain day he became blind so, when he did not see the day come, he decided it was not worth while living, he asked for his sons and daughter, said his wills, did forbid to call a doctor he refused to eat and three week later he died in his bed just naturally. He had daughter Luise* and two young nephews, Elisabeth and Tecla looking for him; that was it.
He certainly was a character and made faults but was always loyal. I remember when I was in Canada, alone if I had problems I did translate them in the environments of the Hof and tried to imagine the solution my Grpa would give; it worked thanks to the fact that I and we all knew the ethic of the Hof.
*Luise *1903 the one who went to California an you can see in the Photo.
Grandmother Luise Hilfiker Suter *1869 81893 †1949
Grandmother Luise had two brothers, the one Gottlieb was backer in Kölliken upper village and Rudolf administrator of the hospital in Langental.
At Grandmother's home they were bakers but by side they had a couple of cows; no matter the trade, everyone was nearly self sufficient. Her family lost it's wealth in the recession who followed the construction of the railway ~1870. Probably their parents had invested in wood and woods who's price dropped as soon as railways where completed and coal, to run the locomotives, was imported from France and Germany.
Before she married she was waitress during the summer season on the "Rigi" mountain close to "Luzern " at the time important tourist resorts frequented prevalently by English guests. This proves that she knew at least French. She was also occasionally waitress in the tavern Hadorn in Kölliken.
My father told me Suters were professional soldiers, so in the Hof they had a captain sword coming from their house. By the way trying to trace the origin of Maria Percilla I looked in Spanish war books and found a Captain Jackob Suter in service under French flag being promoted in Spain in March1808.
The names we find in these mercenary lists are mostly Suter and Matter. The Suter left with their name Suter and returned as Sutter or Sauter. Probably the French did adapt the names to their feeling. This proves that name diversification was a common practice.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 18 Jan 12th 2002
Feb 20th 2002
Who collected the information we dispense
Short after the war a G. I. came to Kölliken, presented himself as Hilfiker and wanted to know more about his family. He met Emil Koprio, a personality of the village and, received the family tree I found by Harold in Eureka 1966. Koprios wife, Lisa Koprio Hilfiker *1885†1965, was the origin of his research. In my documents I have a letter Koprio sent to America in 1961 enclosing an adjusted tree for "bleachers" the family living on the porridge court "Habermushof". When I returned in 1966, I paid a visit to Koprio. He gave me the indication; go to the Gemeindekanzlei (commune) and ask for the church book. Short after I had in my hands the records of 4 centuries! Can we expect that, 4 centuries from now, someone can find such records? How will be handled the fact that nowadays a woman can decide if her baby will have fathers or mothers name and; how will they keep track of our mobility?
I met Koprio before, during war time, my uncle was mustered out so he had to do civil service. Switzerland had problems with food so the law prescribed that bread had to be more than1 day old before it could be sold or eaten and every lawn or garden had to be transformed to potatoes or wheat. Uncle Fritz had to record and measure all the wheat fields and so I spent weeks going from one to the other home running with my rule along the wheat fields, what a beautiful time! So I learned to know all the west side of the village. Mr. Koprios lawn had potatoes! I know that I am out of the topic; just look at this picture 1942; uncle Fritz and the two horses where in the army, my Grandfather at 73 and I at 13 plowed our fields with a reproduction bull and a cow and nowadays we Swiss are accused, by some spoiled lawyer who does not know what war is, to have been Hitler friendly. Excuse my outburst.
Back to Koprio, I think he was in charge of taxes but privately he was engaged in a cultural association which operated or still operates with a very pragmatic method: every time an attic had to get cleared they asked to collect old letters and documents.
I will find out if Safenwil has also a village book and, if their church book is on hand.
I assume, if we put the family trees we already have together, most questions and wishes can be satisfied, at least as long as the emigrants where farmers.
I will also find out if the "Vereinigung für Heimatkunde des Suhrentales und Umgebung" is still about or if another association has taken its place.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 21 Jan 13th 2002
Feb 20th 2002
Hilfiker's past trades and Industry
In ancestry 06 we learn that in 1592 Ulrich Hilfiker (wannenmache=cooper) baptized a son in Kölliken and we can expect that he did settle. This means; Kölliken= cabbage, Cooper= barrel so cabbage+barrel = Sauerkraut. Conservation of aliments was an important problem at that time.
Just from the beginning their trade was adapted to the trend. Later we find "Chorrichter" a kind of Judge of the village from where Koprios wife was a descendent; non-farmer branch from which we lost track. Then we find Garnbuher that means Bleacher: Seasonally they collected in the households linen and ashes from beech wood. They would boil the linen in the ashes and expose them to sun to get white and soft. When cotton was introduced, this trade ended. Next important activity was farming, when the method to conserve hay was improved farming passed from activity, good for being self sufficient, to a trade. There where ups and downs of which some are described in Ancestry 09. Actually farming, in the region, can survive if the farmer has a lateral activity and is in the position to obtain state subventions.
Brick and tiles have been produced, thanks to the clay, since Roman times. For three generations 1823/1914 some Hilfiker produced tiles and bricks that they sold. Bernhard Hilfiker, tile maker with two children, left for America in 1848.
A tannery was in service up to the last war just 500 ft. from Hilfikers porridge court, saddler was the name of a trade which regarded primarily the manufacture and repair of horse harness.
From the industries at the beginning of industrialization based in the nearby villages we can mention machine produced wicks, colored bands, and shoe strings. The textile industry began in the cellars, every house had at least one weaver bench or frame that means every family was producing his own woolen or linen clothes. Since the homemade dresses were dull and had no bright colors girls clipped on colored bands. Parallel and at least as important was the production of candle wicks. This was the beginning of the textile and shoe industry such as the world famous (at that time) Bally.
Nowadays our villages have dozens of small shops producing the most unthinkable things mainly for export.
I will prepare a bibliographic list of the books on the subject and the indication where to buy them. If someone has language problems, there are plenty of CD translators and dictionaries and for the books published after 1900, they contain many photographs.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 24 Jan 13th 2002
Feb 20th 2002
Hilfikers on the way to Oregon
I never could understand why the Hilfiker clan of Salem Oregon did not have contact with the ones of Eureka, CA. It is evident that from time to time, they had to drive past the Hilfiker concrete pipe plant in Eureka in going south.
In 1993, I listed the Hilfikers of Salem from the telephone book and made calls. The only person interested and capable to give me some indication was a very old lady, Ostermann Hilfiker - phone number (503) 363-8290. She was the last of her generation and with some difficulties she told me that her father was August and her grandfather was Bernhard. Knowing the age of Bernhard's children when they left Kölliken for America, we come to abt. 1870. Bernhard stationed in N.Y. State before he went to Nebraska or Wyoming? Anyhow, he did not become old. Son August possibly with brothers Adolf and Robert and sister Lina went to Oregon and started the Dynasty. Mrs. Ostermann told me she had a brother named Julius. So the answer is: the Salem clan originated from children of emigrants who lost all ties with Europe.
The records in Kölliken shows Bernhard Hilfiker Sattler (can be his trade or wifes name) born 1834, had 4 children Adolf 1858/1926 Lina 1863/1945 August 1867/1927 and Robert without date of birth since probably born in US.
The tree is: Bernhard *1834, August *1867†1927, Julius born and died in Salem and so on.
THERE MUST BE AN ERROR SOMEWHERE; HAVE TO FIND OUT
From a burial announce we learn that in 1947, one of the 14 descendants of Jack *1846†1927 of Rochester, a certain Godfrey was living in California.
When my great uncle landed in 1884 in Humbold County, he was directed to Portland Ore. to visit the farmer Jake Lüscher who had left Kölliken with wife and three children in 1850. We do not know if they ever met.
Alfred Hilfiker
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Ancestry 28 June 5th. 2002
French revolution & invasion of Switzerland; what is left ?
About causes, consequence and the leaders of the French revolution we can read everywhere beginning with Microsoft's Encarta.
This event influenced all the western world and since Swiss are extremely pragmatic they accepted the changes the French imposed and most live at the present. France invaded Switzerland in 1798 up to 1848, gave the Swiss a constitution and forced the present set up of the confederation "Kantonen". Let us suppose to drive from Lyon, France over Geneva to Aarau. If we use the old land road we may happen to drive for long distances in alleys in the shadow of platans. These trees had been planted by Napoleon to allow his troops to walk in the shadow. Of course the trees had to be replaced but still stay there since these trees are good windbreakers.
Now we have reached Geneva, we follow the lake and enter the canton Fribourg first an Bern later. The landscape becomes hilly and we may notice that from time to time on top of some hills there are a couple of linden trees. These have been planted under advise of Napoleon to make shadow to his sentinels. Nobody ever forced someone to plant new trees when the old die still these linden are so reasonably located that nobody thinks to get rid of them even if Napoleon is forgotten.
When we arrive in Aarau at the second traffic light we find a large yellow building which could as well be in Paris. This palace was made when Aarau, for a short period, was capital of Switzerland and in this building the Swiss constitution was emulgated. The palace is presently seat of the Aargau parliament .You come out of the palace, cross the road and you will find the "leon d'or", restaurant and tabarin. The promotion of the night club was made with topless girls, this in the puritan Aargau ever since. This was pure French tradition. This is not true, few months ago the Leon d'or closed, we all hope that it will soon reopen even if I never intend to go to that restaurant. This is what we can see from the outside.
The Swiss constitution was of course influenced by the French, the borders of the Kantons and of the villages have been set by the French, the administration had been imposed by the French as well as the laws as a compromise between the tradition "custom" and the roman right.
Napoleon succeeded in unifying the different French dialects, the same happened in Germany and Italy, just the German speaking Swiss remained with an unwritten language! The national language was important to promote public schools.
Important was the introduction of the metric standards, before every region had his own measures, a similar situation regarded the money; a hundred years ago France, Spain England, Switzerland, Italy and U.S. had all a coin of the same diameter and the same weight in gold with reference to the Napoleon. This shows that the Euro existed, in another form, until World War I.
A negative aspect of the French invasion were taxes. Not many years ago you could notice old houses with windows closed by brickwork. This was a method for tax reduction since the French raised taxes on the number of window.
Another merit of the French was drinking water. Wherever they found unhealthy drinking water they would build a large octagonal stone fountain in the center of the village called "liberty fountain". Usually it became the meeting point. It seems that in Aargau drinking water was no problem while in northern Italy you find hundreds of such fountains.
The success of the French in Switzerland "from a certain point of view" was do to the lack of power privileges and limited wealth of the Swiss church and aristocracy. While we forgot the severe repression of the French we still, unaware, enjoy the advantage of the change they imposed.
French is the compulsory second language in Swiss public schools, up to 30 years ago it was the use that at the confirmation, boy and girls received a watch and then left for an apprenticeship or to study in the French part of Switzerland. From there France was not far away and many did and still move the border. This is the land with the greatest number of Swiss immigrants.
Alfred
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Ancestry 31 Orselina June 4th. 2002
The settlement "Hof" in Kölliken
The main road from Zürich to Bern crosses Kölliken. From the center going toward Bern, at the end of the village, called upper village, we find on the right the Richtergasse, I assume where Judge Hans Rudi *1683 lived. Next comes Küfergasse where probably Hans Ulrich as a cooper settled round 1592. If we stay on the main road we come to Rudolf Hilfiker's tiles and brick factory 1823 to 1914, between the plant and the office building the Hofstrasse departs. This road goes uphill then runs parallel to the main road up to the borders of Safenwil where it comes down and crosses the main road. On this road most of the Hilfiker farmers of Kölliken lived. At the end of Hofstrasse you will find a trail going West who brings you over a small hill to the settlement Holz in Safenwil where Jackob *1643 settled and started a numerous branch.
The 5 Hilfiker farms we consider are located along an old roman road and the description we make
shall indicate who when did emigrate so that, by exclusion we can find the origin of other families
beginning from the ones of Safenwil. All the 5 farm have the same ground floor design; front toward south, entrance to the civil and to stables on the north, civil track divided from the stables by a narrow corridor, bedroom of the farmer close to the stable in order to hear the animals. Habitation, stable and hay under one roof, cattle food, hay, was delivered by gravity, sewage tank under the stables in order to use the liquid as fertilizer. Perfect logisitic.
With one exception all farms have the civil part toward East to be repaired from wind.
With one exception all farms had water from a fountain delivered by a spring.
With one exception all farms had straw roofs. The reason to abandon the straw roof was the danger of fire, lightning and, straw of cereals became the longer the shorter.
Address Hofstrasse # 69, the inhabitants were named "Bännte " that means Bernhard's.
This farm has the civil building toward West, good for the light bad in respect of wind.
The water came from a well "Sodbrunnen" in front of the entrance.
This farm was built in 1750 written in the wrist beam, and renewed in 1848 by Bernhard the older (marked on the stowe). The last part of the straw roof on the barn was replaced in 1950.
The last native of the farm were Marie, Emma *1854 & Gottlieb, all single. In 1932 Emma sold the house to Hilfiker Fritz from Safenwil 8 1927 Marie Müller from farm #78. In this house lives Rahel Hilfiker daughter of the owner Christian Hilfiker. Christian *1936, is engaged in ancestry and is the man who has the most information on the Hof.
Address Hofstrasse # 71, this is the "Habermushof" see Ancestry 09,certainly the oldest and smallest farm of the settlement, all the Hilfiker inhabitants left or died. From this house came Jakob *1846 Granfather of Earl of Rochester, he was the oldest of the generation, his 4 brothers remained all in Switzerland. This House changed hands, to Fournasier, to another family Hilfiker, not related and presently to Claude Zimmerli. The water came from a spring delivered by a wooden pine pipe, the fountain was 80 feet away from the house. We know these details since my Father found that pipe occasionally.
Address Hofstrasse # 76 this is the house from where 3 men and 2 girls did emigrate.
Patriarch was Rudolf Hilfiker *1824 †1897 8 to Annamarie Amman (I do find this name often distorted) he was a prominent man, "Armenpfleger" that means he did care for the poor of the village and did own also farm #78. Farm #76 has been taken over by son Otto *1862 †~1902 8 Ella Weibel, the couple had 5 boys an 1 girl. Father Otto had tuberculosis, was unable to work and when he died the children where integrated into the families of aunt Ida and Martha.
From the 10 living offspring of Rudolf 5 did emigrate:
Anna Maria *1856 was with brother Julius in Nebraska
Rudolf *1857 was farming at Sea Brake in 1894 visited Kölliken 1897 then lived in Rochester
Rosina *1859 was with Julius in Nebraska, from 1897 in Rochester
Julius *1866 over Rochester he vent to Plattsmouth Nebraska. gr gr. nephew Tom Olny of Jacksonville is in contact with Christian *1936
Hermann *1870 married, was farming and running a tavern in Riverdale Buffalo †1942 Jan 18th. in Filer Idaho.
The offspring who remained:
Albert *1860 had his own bakery in Kölliken
Bertha *1863 married a preacher in Bern who visited his relatives in 1895
Ida *1868 8 Johannes Müller took over farm #78 did care for her parents, the two sons
Hans *1893 took over farm #76, son Otto farm #78
Martha *1872 married a farmer Samuel Müller in Schöftland
#76 (Müller's Hans) house is an active farm (mixed farming) conducted for the 3th generation
At the present farmer is .....
When this farm was built ....?
Address Hofstrasse # 78 (Müller's Otto)
As long as Rudolf †1897 and Otto †~1902 were living this house was neglected. In ~1909 the farm was taken over by Johannes Müller male of Ida Müller Hilfiker. Their son Otto took over round 1930 and restructured it in 1934 so the straw roof was changed to tiles
The farm is today owned and run by Robert Müller , single, together with sisters Erika & Dora they do mixed farming.
Address Hofstrasse # 80 "Hannes" the builder Johan * 1788 in 1817 - 1823 with the help of Bernhard *1794 "Habermushof" greatuncle of Jakob *1846 Rochester.
This is probably the newest farm and never had a straw roof. The present inhabitants descend directly from the builder. Friedrich *1943, married Agnes Kästner, they have two sons and a girl.
Thirty years ago Friedrich their cattle got contaminated by DDT, did slaughter two time the animals and finally he decided to limit the production to cereals and potatos. He has a 70% outside job and his wife is engaged as music teacher.
From this farm John *1848 did emigrate in 1876 returned in 1882 and left in 1884 together with two sisters Verena *1863 "Fannie" and Rosa *1865. John and Rosa lived in Eureka Ca. Fannie married Rietman and farmed in Iowa.
More about this farm under Ancestry 09, 15, 16, 17, 104. and the family tree.
An arial picture of the 5 farms is shown on page 308 - E in the book "the story of the village Kölliken" and a map extract belongs to this sheet. Looking at the different family trees we note that the oldest son on every farm did emigrate while the youngest took over father's farm. All the farms had cattle, pigs and chicken, women cared for the flock and pigs, men for cattle and horses children for rabbits and goats, occasionally bees. Horses were a luxury in the 19th. century, cows and oxen had to do the job. They had no dogs for their food was too precious. All these people had in common the habit to be self sufficient had a good education, were fluent in writing all this as a base to find their way round in the new continent.
If we can find out where all these people settled probably we are able to know their story and better understand our past and why not, our present; good luck !
Alfred
I do hope to be able to gather as much information on the settlement Holz in Safenwil.
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Sept 2002
John Hilfiker *1858 Eureka while did he emigrate
John's father was a Samuel but everybody would call him John, he married, 41 Susanne Willhelm from Safenwil, my fathers Grandma, a fine woman. Thanks to her my father gave me the information and references I am in train to transfer. John was son of his time, after the invention of the steam engine, the train and the steam ship, the belief of the time was progress. John had frequented school and also a special agriculture school. He left the year before the railway, in front of his house, went into service. He left together with two Austrian boys he knew because they worked on the railway construction.
The progress in which everybody did believe, was at the time more important than today's I T. In a wave sequent the French revolution they replaced religion with common sense. So in schools instead of religion lessons they learned common sense. Nothing wrong in all this except the fact that man needs centuries to adapt his mind to such changes.
At that time and, by law, a man of 16 had to care for his parents, the respect to his father was out of discussion and in 1876 his father was 60 John had 5 sisters, a brother (my Grandpa 11 years) and his mother expecting his second brother.
Out of notes I wrote in 1967 based on what Uncle Fritz, living on the Hof told me: John took courses in cattle feeding. At the time just few people, the most progressive were concerned with such problems. Since John could not experiment freely on his father's farm he asked him a nearby propriety of the "tambure" family. It is remembered that John and his father had tense relations and when his father refused to satisfy his wishes he did emigrate. Beside the age there was also a cultural difference, I have been told that Samuel-John learned to write when he was grown up. I don't know more about circumstances.
When John left for California in 1884 he was followed by his sisters Rosa and Verena. I am allowed to think that when John returned in 1882 he did hope to encounter a wife, not succeeding he went back. About the two sisters Rosa and Verena nobody would give me information or speak.
John *1858 was anyhow a radical, progressive as he was in the youth so conservative he became with the age. You certainly know that he did not communicate with John Henry *1891 while, as electric engineer he would destroy the bird population. Another radical in the family is Alfred *1929 he also had tense relations with his father, they bettered after he nearly imposed me to return from Canada.
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After having said all this I am frankly embarrassed, am I the only to remember what happened in the family, are all other shy or, am I a spy? May I have your opinion?
Alfred
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