Written by Michael Hirschi
Jakob Hirschi was a Swiss dairy farmer who immigrated to America. He was the son of Jakob Hirschi (1774-1845) and Katharina Ziegenthaler Hirschi (1792-1872). Jakob was the ninth Ehe (child) of a family of eleven children. His older sisters were: Katharina, Susanna Katharina, Elisabeth, Maria, Magdalena. His older brother was Johannes, then two more sisters Rosina and Anna Barbara. Jakob was born June 4, 1830 and after him were Christian and Johannes.
The roots of the Hirschi family go back to a time in Swiss history when this small country was undergoing great political changes. In 1798 during the French Revolution, French armies swept into Switzerland and occupied the country. The French set up the Helvetic Republic and took away most of the freedoms of the people. In 1885 Switzerland gained Independence from Napoleonic dictatorship and finally freedom of the press, religious toleration, and the rights of association were restored to the Swiss people. It was at this time that the Congress of Vienna guaranteed the neutrality of Switzerland. By the time Jakob was born, many Swiss people were demanding national unity and there was considerable talk of a new constitution for the country. The Swiss people were calling for representative government.
It was during this time of freedom that Jakob was born in a small dorf (village) in southern Switzerland. Reutigen which still exists today was his (Ort und Zeit der Geburt) birthplace. This Dorf is located in the beautiful Simmental valley about a mile from the Thunersee in a northeasterly direction. The rivers Kander and Simme join together at Reutigen and the city of Then is four miles away in a northerly direction.
Jakob was born in one of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland because it was located in the Berner Alps with their great majesty and splendor. As a boy he was familiar with the great Alps like Eiger, Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Monch and closer to his home the Niesen Alp which has a vertical rise of 2400 feet. As a young boy he probably spent many hours looking at the mountains waiting for the day when he could spend time there tending his father's goats. As he grew he was given more responsibility and soon was helping his father raise hay and grain. All of this work was done by hand as well as harvesting the hay with a scythe and sickle and then handcarrying it to the barn where it was stored or threshed with a flail. A young man didn't have time to get bored because as soon as harvest was over, it was time to go to the Schattig Walk (forest) and cut firewood for the winter. It must have been a special treat to herd the goats high up in the Alps near the Solhorn and there enjoying the beautiful vista below in the valley. As a small boy he enjoyed Swiss yodeling, Alphorn blowing and the wood carving taught to him by his father. Jakob was taught in the ways of the Swiss and became a good mountaineer. He like tobogganing, skiing, Swiss-style wrestling, fishing, swimming and the Swiss popular theater that was held each year at Interlaken.
It was at the theater that he was inspired by the Wilhelm Tell legend. He developed a great love and personal pride in his country and traditions. One custom that has survived all these years since 1805 is the Steinstossen, the throwing of the unspunned stone. The stone weighs 184 pounds and the longest throw is nine feet ten inches.
Jakob grew to love his home and friends in the Dorf of Reutigen, but in 1840 his family moved their possessions to the Dorf of Diemtigen which was further into the Berner Alps. Again he was busy helping his family resettle. In the spring of the year now that he was a teenager he would drive the herds of goats and cattle up to the high meadows to graze during the warm summer months. Here he would stay in primitive chalets on the high alps and here he learned the making of cheese from the milk he received from the animals he brought to pasture. Tragedy struck the Hirschi home when he was fifteen. His father passed away leaving him responsible for the family. He missed his father and loved him very much. Time was not to wait for him and soon it was 1850 and he was called and drafted in the Recrutenschule (Swiss Army). All men were required by law to serve and train for a period of time and then each year for eight years take refresher courses of training. He belonged to a unique army; one in which he kept his military equipment including his firearms and ammunition at home and performed his obligatory duty each year in civilian clothes.
In the late 1850's Jakob fell in love with a girl form his own Dorf and they enjoyed a brief courtship. She loved him and her name was Susanna Katherina Werren (1834-1902). She was the daughter of Daniel Werren and Elizabeth Stoller Werren. She was the third child in her family of six. These people were Protestants and followed the customs of the church. The official date of the marriage was listed as March 22, 1860 but due to a Swiss law that required that Jakob and Susanna's names be posted in the Dorf for a year so that anyone who opposed it could come forward, the actual marriage probably took place in 1859. It was the custom of the Swiss people that the bride bring a trousseau to the husband and generally it consisted of property from her father. We may only assume that this was the case with Jakob. Jakob and Susanna made their new home in the outskirts of Diemtigen in the neighborhood of Zwischenfluh.
Soon they were blessed with seven children: Lena Katherina (1860-1931), Susanna Rosina (1862-1886), Johan Jakob (1864-1954), David (1871-1952), Arnold Daniel (1868-1928), John (1871-1952), and Anna (1875-1967). Jakob and Susanna worked their farm and Jakob also bought and sold and traded dairy commodities, as a sideline to help make a living. It is said that he was an honest and very thrifty man. Once the Swiss authorities checked the weight of his butter that he was selling and found it was short of a pound weight. Jakob told them, "I don't sell it by the pound, I sell it by the gogle (piece)." It is said that he never had trouble with that inspector on short weight.
In the late 1860's the Jakob Hirschi family, except for Jakob, began to affiliate themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Susanna, his wife, was baptized September 1, 1867 in the River Simme near the Dorf of Ringoldingen where the LDS Branch was located. She was the first in the family to join and no doubt this caused trouble between her and Jakob but it is said that he tolerated the missionaries and the gospel but had no desire to embrace it. Lena, Jakob's oldest daughter, was sent to live with her mother's relatives at a young age and therefore she was never taught the gospel, but Susanna Rosina, her younger sister, did join the church when she was eight years old (May 25, 1870).
In 1872 Jakob lost his mother and this along with problems at home caused him much worry. In 1878 his sons Johann Jakob, David and Arnold were baptized into the Mormon Church in Switzerland (April 11, 1878). Much talk and discussion was given by the family to get Jakob to immigrate to the United States. He refused, but gave his permission for his son David and daughter Susanna Rosina to immigrate. He stated, "He would not spend one penny of his money for their trip". Thinking that this would end their idea, but instead arrangements were made through the L.D.S. church and friends to secure passage to America. On August 24, 1882 both of his children left his family.
Jakob could see that the gospel was splitting his family and he and his wife could not overcome the problem created by the church. In 1883 his wife, Arnold Daniel, John, and Anna separated themselves from the family and left for America. This left Jakob with his oldest daughter and oldest son by his side to continue to farm, and it is said that he was very lonesome for his family and would have come only he was afraid he would become homesick for his home. On one occasion after his family left he came in contact with Jacob Tueller and told him he knew the gospel from America was true and that Tueller should go to their meetings and he told Tueller where he could located the missionaries and the meeting place. Jakob and Tueller also discussed the fact that many people in their locality were accepting the church and going to America. Because of Jakob's insistence Tueller investigated the gospel and joined the church. Jakob was starting to mellow and in the Lord's way was being prepared for conversion.
John Bishoff tells of an experience where Jakob probably spared his life and his missionary companion. He relates that they were at Jakob's home and were told by him that they could have food and lodging for the night. Jakob was busy with his chores while Bishoff and his companion were busy explaining the gospel to him when suddenly a large mob gathered at Jakob's farm and accused the missionaries and their church of taking innocent lives at the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The missionaries explained the true story, however, the mob was drunk and didn't accept their story and were ready to attack when Jakob stood up from milking a cow and said, "These missionaries told you the truth and the first man that touches these missionaries I will knock down with this milk stool. You men are drunk and are not fit to be here." The mob quickly turned and all of them left.
Jakob was lonesome and needed help running his farm when in 1884 he became acquainted with a widow by the name of Marie Knutti Aegler. She had two children from her previous marriage, John and Mary Aegler.
Jakob and Marie married sometime in 1884 and finally in 1885, after the law of posting, the marriage went on record July 17, 1885. His divorce to Susanna Werren was recorded May 27, 1885. During this eventful year Johann Jakob also left his father and emigrated to America. His reason for not leaving sooner was that he had been drafted into the Swiss Army and needed to complete his tour of duty.
Jakob and Marie soon had a son Raynold (1885-1965), and then William (1886-1960), and finally Fritz (1894-1894) who died in early infancy.
In the early summer of 1892 Arnold Daniel was sent back to Switzerland to fulfill a mission for the Mormon Church. As he arrived in Diemtigen he went home to his father. What a surprise to find that he had two step-brothers; and with full love and patience he began to teach his father and family the gospel. Arnold was full of the spirit and after some time he baptized Jakob and Marie on July 1, 1892. Jakob heard and accepted the call to emigrate to America and in the next two years he spent time selling his property and making plans to emigrate with his family and Arnold. Finally Arnold was released from his mission on June 20, 1894. Along with the Jakob Hirschi family they arrived in America on Saturday July 17, 1894. Because of a railroad strike they were forced to remain in New York until July 23, 1894. Finally they arrived in Montpelier, Idaho where many of the Swiss people were immigrating to. As soon as they arrived Jakob purchased one hundred sixty acres and a home in Montpelier.
There is little know information on how the two Hirschi families got along in Montpelier, but I'm sure there were many disappointments for both families and much sorrow felt.
When the first automobile came to Montpelier, some of Jakob's friends wanted him to take a ride. He said, "No, I won't ride in that devil's wagon." Another incident which proved to be humorous was the first time Jakob ate ice cream. The family was hand-turning it in the ice cream freezer. As he got his first dishful, someone cautioned him to blow it hard because it was very hot from spinning around so long. He did and imagine his surprise when he tasted it.
Jakob raised his sons, Raynold and William, there in Montpelier and saw to it that they were left with many of his teachings and understanding.
On July 2, 1902 Susanna Katherina Werren Hirschi died in Montpelier, Idaho. As his ex-wife she had endured many hardships and trials, but because of her love of the gospel and the church she had forsaken her loved one to be in Zion with the saints. The story of Jakob Hirschi ends in 1909 on June 18. At the age of 79 he passed away. It is said that he was not sick up until two weeks before his passing. He had kept himself busy all those years by ranching and farming. Once he told his son David that he loved this country of America and that he would be satisfied if he could live only five years longer. Jakob was buried in the Montpelier cemetery. His posterity continues to this day. Marie, his second wife, remained in Montpelier with her sons.
Jakob Hirschi was a Swiss dairy farmer who immigrated to America. He was the son of Jakob Hirschi (1774-1845) and Katharina Ziegenthaler Hirschi (1792-1872). Jakob was the ninth Ehe (child) of a family of eleven children. His older sisters were: Katharina, Susanna Katharina, Elisabeth, Maria, Magdalena. His older brother was Johannes, then two more sisters Rosina and Anna Barbara. Jakob was born June 4, 1830 and after him were Christian and Johannes.
The roots of the Hirschi family go back to a time in Swiss history when this small country was undergoing great political changes. In 1798 during the French Revolution, French armies swept into Switzerland and occupied the country. The French set up the Helvetic Republic and took away most of the freedoms of the people. In 1885 Switzerland gained Independence from Napoleonic dictatorship and finally freedom of the press, religious toleration, and the rights of association were restored to the Swiss people. It was at this time that the Congress of Vienna guaranteed the neutrality of Switzerland. By the time Jakob was born, many Swiss people were demanding national unity and there was considerable talk of a new constitution for the country. The Swiss people were calling for representative government.
It was during this time of freedom that Jakob was born in a small dorf (village) in southern Switzerland. Reutigen which still exists today was his (Ort und Zeit der Geburt) birthplace. This Dorf is located in the beautiful Simmental valley about a mile from the Thunersee in a northeasterly direction. The rivers Kander and Simme join together at Reutigen and the city of Then is four miles away in a northerly direction.
Jakob was born in one of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland because it was located in the Berner Alps with their great majesty and splendor. As a boy he was familiar with the great Alps like Eiger, Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Monch and closer to his home the Niesen Alp which has a vertical rise of 2400 feet. As a young boy he probably spent many hours looking at the mountains waiting for the day when he could spend time there tending his father's goats. As he grew he was given more responsibility and soon was helping his father raise hay and grain. All of this work was done by hand as well as harvesting the hay with a scythe and sickle and then handcarrying it to the barn where it was stored or threshed with a flail. A young man didn't have time to get bored because as soon as harvest was over, it was time to go to the Schattig Walk (forest) and cut firewood for the winter. It must have been a special treat to herd the goats high up in the Alps near the Solhorn and there enjoying the beautiful vista below in the valley. As a small boy he enjoyed Swiss yodeling, Alphorn blowing and the wood carving taught to him by his father. Jakob was taught in the ways of the Swiss and became a good mountaineer. He like tobogganing, skiing, Swiss-style wrestling, fishing, swimming and the Swiss popular theater that was held each year at Interlaken.
It was at the theater that he was inspired by the Wilhelm Tell legend. He developed a great love and personal pride in his country and traditions. One custom that has survived all these years since 1805 is the Steinstossen, the throwing of the unspunned stone. The stone weighs 184 pounds and the longest throw is nine feet ten inches.
Jakob grew to love his home and friends in the Dorf of Reutigen, but in 1840 his family moved their possessions to the Dorf of Diemtigen which was further into the Berner Alps. Again he was busy helping his family resettle. In the spring of the year now that he was a teenager he would drive the herds of goats and cattle up to the high meadows to graze during the warm summer months. Here he would stay in primitive chalets on the high alps and here he learned the making of cheese from the milk he received from the animals he brought to pasture. Tragedy struck the Hirschi home when he was fifteen. His father passed away leaving him responsible for the family. He missed his father and loved him very much. Time was not to wait for him and soon it was 1850 and he was called and drafted in the Recrutenschule (Swiss Army). All men were required by law to serve and train for a period of time and then each year for eight years take refresher courses of training. He belonged to a unique army; one in which he kept his military equipment including his firearms and ammunition at home and performed his obligatory duty each year in civilian clothes.
In the late 1850's Jakob fell in love with a girl form his own Dorf and they enjoyed a brief courtship. She loved him and her name was Susanna Katherina Werren (1834-1902). She was the daughter of Daniel Werren and Elizabeth Stoller Werren. She was the third child in her family of six. These people were Protestants and followed the customs of the church. The official date of the marriage was listed as March 22, 1860 but due to a Swiss law that required that Jakob and Susanna's names be posted in the Dorf for a year so that anyone who opposed it could come forward, the actual marriage probably took place in 1859. It was the custom of the Swiss people that the bride bring a trousseau to the husband and generally it consisted of property from her father. We may only assume that this was the case with Jakob. Jakob and Susanna made their new home in the outskirts of Diemtigen in the neighborhood of Zwischenfluh.
Soon they were blessed with seven children: Lena Katherina (1860-1931), Susanna Rosina (1862-1886), Johan Jakob (1864-1954), David (1871-1952), Arnold Daniel (1868-1928), John (1871-1952), and Anna (1875-1967). Jakob and Susanna worked their farm and Jakob also bought and sold and traded dairy commodities, as a sideline to help make a living. It is said that he was an honest and very thrifty man. Once the Swiss authorities checked the weight of his butter that he was selling and found it was short of a pound weight. Jakob told them, "I don't sell it by the pound, I sell it by the gogle (piece)." It is said that he never had trouble with that inspector on short weight.
In the late 1860's the Jakob Hirschi family, except for Jakob, began to affiliate themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Susanna, his wife, was baptized September 1, 1867 in the River Simme near the Dorf of Ringoldingen where the LDS Branch was located. She was the first in the family to join and no doubt this caused trouble between her and Jakob but it is said that he tolerated the missionaries and the gospel but had no desire to embrace it. Lena, Jakob's oldest daughter, was sent to live with her mother's relatives at a young age and therefore she was never taught the gospel, but Susanna Rosina, her younger sister, did join the church when she was eight years old (May 25, 1870).
In 1872 Jakob lost his mother and this along with problems at home caused him much worry. In 1878 his sons Johann Jakob, David and Arnold were baptized into the Mormon Church in Switzerland (April 11, 1878). Much talk and discussion was given by the family to get Jakob to immigrate to the United States. He refused, but gave his permission for his son David and daughter Susanna Rosina to immigrate. He stated, "He would not spend one penny of his money for their trip". Thinking that this would end their idea, but instead arrangements were made through the L.D.S. church and friends to secure passage to America. On August 24, 1882 both of his children left his family.
Jakob could see that the gospel was splitting his family and he and his wife could not overcome the problem created by the church. In 1883 his wife, Arnold Daniel, John, and Anna separated themselves from the family and left for America. This left Jakob with his oldest daughter and oldest son by his side to continue to farm, and it is said that he was very lonesome for his family and would have come only he was afraid he would become homesick for his home. On one occasion after his family left he came in contact with Jacob Tueller and told him he knew the gospel from America was true and that Tueller should go to their meetings and he told Tueller where he could located the missionaries and the meeting place. Jakob and Tueller also discussed the fact that many people in their locality were accepting the church and going to America. Because of Jakob's insistence Tueller investigated the gospel and joined the church. Jakob was starting to mellow and in the Lord's way was being prepared for conversion.
John Bishoff tells of an experience where Jakob probably spared his life and his missionary companion. He relates that they were at Jakob's home and were told by him that they could have food and lodging for the night. Jakob was busy with his chores while Bishoff and his companion were busy explaining the gospel to him when suddenly a large mob gathered at Jakob's farm and accused the missionaries and their church of taking innocent lives at the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The missionaries explained the true story, however, the mob was drunk and didn't accept their story and were ready to attack when Jakob stood up from milking a cow and said, "These missionaries told you the truth and the first man that touches these missionaries I will knock down with this milk stool. You men are drunk and are not fit to be here." The mob quickly turned and all of them left.
Jakob was lonesome and needed help running his farm when in 1884 he became acquainted with a widow by the name of Marie Knutti Aegler. She had two children from her previous marriage, John and Mary Aegler.
Jakob and Marie married sometime in 1884 and finally in 1885, after the law of posting, the marriage went on record July 17, 1885. His divorce to Susanna Werren was recorded May 27, 1885. During this eventful year Johann Jakob also left his father and emigrated to America. His reason for not leaving sooner was that he had been drafted into the Swiss Army and needed to complete his tour of duty.
Jakob and Marie soon had a son Raynold (1885-1965), and then William (1886-1960), and finally Fritz (1894-1894) who died in early infancy.
In the early summer of 1892 Arnold Daniel was sent back to Switzerland to fulfill a mission for the Mormon Church. As he arrived in Diemtigen he went home to his father. What a surprise to find that he had two step-brothers; and with full love and patience he began to teach his father and family the gospel. Arnold was full of the spirit and after some time he baptized Jakob and Marie on July 1, 1892. Jakob heard and accepted the call to emigrate to America and in the next two years he spent time selling his property and making plans to emigrate with his family and Arnold. Finally Arnold was released from his mission on June 20, 1894. Along with the Jakob Hirschi family they arrived in America on Saturday July 17, 1894. Because of a railroad strike they were forced to remain in New York until July 23, 1894. Finally they arrived in Montpelier, Idaho where many of the Swiss people were immigrating to. As soon as they arrived Jakob purchased one hundred sixty acres and a home in Montpelier.
There is little know information on how the two Hirschi families got along in Montpelier, but I'm sure there were many disappointments for both families and much sorrow felt.
When the first automobile came to Montpelier, some of Jakob's friends wanted him to take a ride. He said, "No, I won't ride in that devil's wagon." Another incident which proved to be humorous was the first time Jakob ate ice cream. The family was hand-turning it in the ice cream freezer. As he got his first dishful, someone cautioned him to blow it hard because it was very hot from spinning around so long. He did and imagine his surprise when he tasted it.
Jakob raised his sons, Raynold and William, there in Montpelier and saw to it that they were left with many of his teachings and understanding.
On July 2, 1902 Susanna Katherina Werren Hirschi died in Montpelier, Idaho. As his ex-wife she had endured many hardships and trials, but because of her love of the gospel and the church she had forsaken her loved one to be in Zion with the saints. The story of Jakob Hirschi ends in 1909 on June 18. At the age of 79 he passed away. It is said that he was not sick up until two weeks before his passing. He had kept himself busy all those years by ranching and farming. Once he told his son David that he loved this country of America and that he would be satisfied if he could live only five years longer. Jakob was buried in the Montpelier cemetery. His posterity continues to this day. Marie, his second wife, remained in Montpelier with her sons.
Written by Michael Hirschi
Jakob Hirschi was a Swiss dairy farmer who immigrated to America. He was the son of Jakob Hirschi (1774-1845) and Katharina Ziegenthaler Hirschi (1792-1872). Jakob was the ninth Ehe (child) of a family of eleven children. His older sisters were: Katharina, Susanna Katharina, Elisabeth, Maria, Magdalena. His older brother was Johannes, then two more sisters Rosina and Anna Barbara. Jakob was born June 4, 1830 and after him were Christian and Johannes.
The roots of the Hirschi family go back to a time in Swiss history when this small country was undergoing great political changes. In 1798 during the French Revolution, French armies swept into Switzerland and occupied the country. The French set up the Helvetic Republic and took away most of the freedoms of the people. In 1885 Switzerland gained Independence from Napoleonic dictatorship and finally freedom of the press, religious toleration, and the rights of association were restored to the Swiss people. It was at this time that the Congress of Vienna guaranteed the neutrality of Switzerland. By the time Jakob was born, many Swiss people were demanding national unity and there was considerable talk of a new constitution for the country. The Swiss people were calling for representative government.
It was during this time of freedom that Jakob was born in a small dorf (village) in southern Switzerland. Reutigen which still exists today was his (Ort und Zeit der Geburt) birthplace. This Dorf is located in the beautiful Simmental valley about a mile from the Thunersee in a northeasterly direction. The rivers Kander and Simme join together at Reutigen and the city of Then is four miles away in a northerly direction.
Jakob was born in one of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland because it was located in the Berner Alps with their great majesty and splendor. As a boy he was familiar with the great Alps like Eiger, Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Monch and closer to his home the Niesen Alp which has a vertical rise of 2400 feet. As a young boy he probably spent many hours looking at the mountains waiting for the day when he could spend time there tending his father's goats. As he grew he was given more responsibility and soon was helping his father raise hay and grain. All of this work was done by hand as well as harvesting the hay with a scythe and sickle and then handcarrying it to the barn where it was stored or threshed with a flail. A young man didn't have time to get bored because as soon as harvest was over, it was time to go to the Schattig Walk (forest) and cut firewood for the winter. It must have been a special treat to herd the goats high up in the Alps near the Solhorn and there enjoying the beautiful vista below in the valley. As a small boy he enjoyed Swiss yodeling, Alphorn blowing and the wood carving taught to him by his father. Jakob was taught in the ways of the Swiss and became a good mountaineer. He like tobogganing, skiing, Swiss-style wrestling, fishing, swimming and the Swiss popular theater that was held each year at Interlaken.
It was at the theater that he was inspired by the Wilhelm Tell legend. He developed a great love and personal pride in his country and traditions. One custom that has survived all these years since 1805 is the Steinstossen, the throwing of the unspunned stone. The stone weighs 184 pounds and the longest throw is nine feet ten inches.
Jakob grew to love his home and friends in the Dorf of Reutigen, but in 1840 his family moved their possessions to the Dorf of Diemtigen which was further into the Berner Alps. Again he was busy helping his family resettle. In the spring of the year now that he was a teenager he would drive the herds of goats and cattle up to the high meadows to graze during the warm summer months. Here he would stay in primitive chalets on the high alps and here he learned the making of cheese from the milk he received from the animals he brought to pasture. Tragedy struck the Hirschi home when he was fifteen. His father passed away leaving him responsible for the family. He missed his father and loved him very much. Time was not to wait for him and soon it was 1850 and he was called and drafted in the Recrutenschule (Swiss Army). All men were required by law to serve and train for a period of time and then each year for eight years take refresher courses of training. He belonged to a unique army; one in which he kept his military equipment including his firearms and ammunition at home and performed his obligatory duty each year in civilian clothes.
In the late 1850's Jakob fell in love with a girl form his own Dorf and they enjoyed a brief courtship. She loved him and her name was Susanna Katherina Werren (1834-1902). She was the daughter of Daniel Werren and Elizabeth Stoller Werren. She was the third child in her family of six. These people were Protestants and followed the customs of the church. The official date of the marriage was listed as March 22, 1860 but due to a Swiss law that required that Jakob and Susanna's names be posted in the Dorf for a year so that anyone who opposed it could come forward, the actual marriage probably took place in 1859. It was the custom of the Swiss people that the bride bring a trousseau to the husband and generally it consisted of property from her father. We may only assume that this was the case with Jakob. Jakob and Susanna made their new home in the outskirts of Diemtigen in the neighborhood of Zwischenfluh.
Soon they were blessed with seven children: Lena Katherina (1860-1931), Susanna Rosina (1862-1886), Johan Jakob (1864-1954), David (1871-1952), Arnold Daniel (1868-1928), John (1871-1952), and Anna (1875-1967). Jakob and Susanna worked their farm and Jakob also bought and sold and traded dairy commodities, as a sideline to help make a living. It is said that he was an honest and very thrifty man. Once the Swiss authorities checked the weight of his butter that he was selling and found it was short of a pound weight. Jakob told them, "I don't sell it by the pound, I sell it by the gogle (piece)." It is said that he never had trouble with that inspector on short weight.
In the late 1860's the Jakob Hirschi family, except for Jakob, began to affiliate themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Susanna, his wife, was baptized September 1, 1867 in the River Simme near the Dorf of Ringoldingen where the LDS Branch was located. She was the first in the family to join and no doubt this caused trouble between her and Jakob but it is said that he tolerated the missionaries and the gospel but had no desire to embrace it. Lena, Jakob's oldest daughter, was sent to live with her mother's relatives at a young age and therefore she was never taught the gospel, but Susanna Rosina, her younger sister, did join the church when she was eight years old (May 25, 1870).
In 1872 Jakob lost his mother and this along with problems at home caused him much worry. In 1878 his sons Johann Jakob, David and Arnold were baptized into the Mormon Church in Switzerland (April 11, 1878). Much talk and discussion was given by the family to get Jakob to immigrate to the United States. He refused, but gave his permission for his son David and daughter Susanna Rosina to immigrate. He stated, "He would not spend one penny of his money for their trip". Thinking that this would end their idea, but instead arrangements were made through the L.D.S. church and friends to secure passage to America. On August 24, 1882 both of his children left his family.
Jakob could see that the gospel was splitting his family and he and his wife could not overcome the problem created by the church. In 1883 his wife, Arnold Daniel, John, and Anna separated themselves from the family and left for America. This left Jakob with his oldest daughter and oldest son by his side to continue to farm, and it is said that he was very lonesome for his family and would have come only he was afraid he would become homesick for his home. On one occasion after his family left he came in contact with Jacob Tueller and told him he knew the gospel from America was true and that Tueller should go to their meetings and he told Tueller where he could located the missionaries and the meeting place. Jakob and Tueller also discussed the fact that many people in their locality were accepting the church and going to America. Because of Jakob's insistence Tueller investigated the gospel and joined the church. Jakob was starting to mellow and in the Lord's way was being prepared for conversion.
John Bishoff tells of an experience where Jakob probably spared his life and his missionary companion. He relates that they were at Jakob's home and were told by him that they could have food and lodging for the night. Jakob was busy with his chores while Bishoff and his companion were busy explaining the gospel to him when suddenly a large mob gathered at Jakob's farm and accused the missionaries and their church of taking innocent lives at the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The missionaries explained the true story, however, the mob was drunk and didn't accept their story and were ready to attack when Jakob stood up from milking a cow and said, "These missionaries told you the truth and the first man that touches these missionaries I will knock down with this milk stool. You men are drunk and are not fit to be here." The mob quickly turned and all of them left.
Jakob was lonesome and needed help running his farm when in 1884 he became acquainted with a widow by the name of Marie Knutti Aegler. She had two children from her previous marriage, John and Mary Aegler.
Jakob and Marie married sometime in 1884 and finally in 1885, after the law of posting, the marriage went on record July 17, 1885. His divorce to Susanna Werren was recorded May 27, 1885. During this eventful year Johann Jakob also left his father and emigrated to America. His reason for not leaving sooner was that he had been drafted into the Swiss Army and needed to complete his tour of duty.
Jakob and Marie soon had a son Raynold (1885-1965), and then William (1886-1960), and finally Fritz (1894-1894) who died in early infancy.
In the early summer of 1892 Arnold Daniel was sent back to Switzerland to fulfill a mission for the Mormon Church. As he arrived in Diemtigen he went home to his father. What a surprise to find that he had two step-brothers; and with full love and patience he began to teach his father and family the gospel. Arnold was full of the spirit and after some time he baptized Jakob and Marie on July 1, 1892. Jakob heard and accepted the call to emigrate to America and in the next two years he spent time selling his property and making plans to emigrate with his family and Arnold. Finally Arnold was released from his mission on June 20, 1894. Along with the Jakob Hirschi family they arrived in America on Saturday July 17, 1894. Because of a railroad strike they were forced to remain in New York until July 23, 1894. Finally they arrived in Montpelier, Idaho where many of the Swiss people were immigrating to. As soon as they arrived Jakob purchased one hundred sixty acres and a home in Montpelier.
There is little know information on how the two Hirschi families got along in Montpelier, but I'm sure there were many disappointments for both families and much sorrow felt.
When the first automobile came to Montpelier, some of Jakob's friends wanted him to take a ride. He said, "No, I won't ride in that devil's wagon." Another incident which proved to be humorous was the first time Jakob ate ice cream. The family was hand-turning it in the ice cream freezer. As he got his first dishful, someone cautioned him to blow it hard because it was very hot from spinning around so long. He did and imagine his surprise when he tasted it.
Jakob raised his sons, Raynold and William, there in Montpelier and saw to it that they were left with many of his teachings and understanding.
On July 2, 1902 Susanna Katherina Werren Hirschi died in Montpelier, Idaho. As his ex-wife she had endured many hardships and trials, but because of her love of the gospel and the church she had forsaken her loved one to be in Zion with the saints. The story of Jakob Hirschi ends in 1909 on June 18. At the age of 79 he passed away. It is said that he was not sick up until two weeks before his passing. He had kept himself busy all those years by ranching and farming. Once he told his son David that he loved this country of America and that he would be satisfied if he could live only five years longer. Jakob was buried in the Montpelier cemetery. His posterity continues to this day. Marie, his second wife, remained in Montpelier with her sons.
Jakob Hirschi was a Swiss dairy farmer who immigrated to America. He was the son of Jakob Hirschi (1774-1845) and Katharina Ziegenthaler Hirschi (1792-1872). Jakob was the ninth Ehe (child) of a family of eleven children. His older sisters were: Katharina, Susanna Katharina, Elisabeth, Maria, Magdalena. His older brother was Johannes, then two more sisters Rosina and Anna Barbara. Jakob was born June 4, 1830 and after him were Christian and Johannes.
The roots of the Hirschi family go back to a time in Swiss history when this small country was undergoing great political changes. In 1798 during the French Revolution, French armies swept into Switzerland and occupied the country. The French set up the Helvetic Republic and took away most of the freedoms of the people. In 1885 Switzerland gained Independence from Napoleonic dictatorship and finally freedom of the press, religious toleration, and the rights of association were restored to the Swiss people. It was at this time that the Congress of Vienna guaranteed the neutrality of Switzerland. By the time Jakob was born, many Swiss people were demanding national unity and there was considerable talk of a new constitution for the country. The Swiss people were calling for representative government.
It was during this time of freedom that Jakob was born in a small dorf (village) in southern Switzerland. Reutigen which still exists today was his (Ort und Zeit der Geburt) birthplace. This Dorf is located in the beautiful Simmental valley about a mile from the Thunersee in a northeasterly direction. The rivers Kander and Simme join together at Reutigen and the city of Then is four miles away in a northerly direction.
Jakob was born in one of the most beautiful spots in Switzerland because it was located in the Berner Alps with their great majesty and splendor. As a boy he was familiar with the great Alps like Eiger, Jungfrau, Wetterhorn, Monch and closer to his home the Niesen Alp which has a vertical rise of 2400 feet. As a young boy he probably spent many hours looking at the mountains waiting for the day when he could spend time there tending his father's goats. As he grew he was given more responsibility and soon was helping his father raise hay and grain. All of this work was done by hand as well as harvesting the hay with a scythe and sickle and then handcarrying it to the barn where it was stored or threshed with a flail. A young man didn't have time to get bored because as soon as harvest was over, it was time to go to the Schattig Walk (forest) and cut firewood for the winter. It must have been a special treat to herd the goats high up in the Alps near the Solhorn and there enjoying the beautiful vista below in the valley. As a small boy he enjoyed Swiss yodeling, Alphorn blowing and the wood carving taught to him by his father. Jakob was taught in the ways of the Swiss and became a good mountaineer. He like tobogganing, skiing, Swiss-style wrestling, fishing, swimming and the Swiss popular theater that was held each year at Interlaken.
It was at the theater that he was inspired by the Wilhelm Tell legend. He developed a great love and personal pride in his country and traditions. One custom that has survived all these years since 1805 is the Steinstossen, the throwing of the unspunned stone. The stone weighs 184 pounds and the longest throw is nine feet ten inches.
Jakob grew to love his home and friends in the Dorf of Reutigen, but in 1840 his family moved their possessions to the Dorf of Diemtigen which was further into the Berner Alps. Again he was busy helping his family resettle. In the spring of the year now that he was a teenager he would drive the herds of goats and cattle up to the high meadows to graze during the warm summer months. Here he would stay in primitive chalets on the high alps and here he learned the making of cheese from the milk he received from the animals he brought to pasture. Tragedy struck the Hirschi home when he was fifteen. His father passed away leaving him responsible for the family. He missed his father and loved him very much. Time was not to wait for him and soon it was 1850 and he was called and drafted in the Recrutenschule (Swiss Army). All men were required by law to serve and train for a period of time and then each year for eight years take refresher courses of training. He belonged to a unique army; one in which he kept his military equipment including his firearms and ammunition at home and performed his obligatory duty each year in civilian clothes.
In the late 1850's Jakob fell in love with a girl form his own Dorf and they enjoyed a brief courtship. She loved him and her name was Susanna Katherina Werren (1834-1902). She was the daughter of Daniel Werren and Elizabeth Stoller Werren. She was the third child in her family of six. These people were Protestants and followed the customs of the church. The official date of the marriage was listed as March 22, 1860 but due to a Swiss law that required that Jakob and Susanna's names be posted in the Dorf for a year so that anyone who opposed it could come forward, the actual marriage probably took place in 1859. It was the custom of the Swiss people that the bride bring a trousseau to the husband and generally it consisted of property from her father. We may only assume that this was the case with Jakob. Jakob and Susanna made their new home in the outskirts of Diemtigen in the neighborhood of Zwischenfluh.
Soon they were blessed with seven children: Lena Katherina (1860-1931), Susanna Rosina (1862-1886), Johan Jakob (1864-1954), David (1871-1952), Arnold Daniel (1868-1928), John (1871-1952), and Anna (1875-1967). Jakob and Susanna worked their farm and Jakob also bought and sold and traded dairy commodities, as a sideline to help make a living. It is said that he was an honest and very thrifty man. Once the Swiss authorities checked the weight of his butter that he was selling and found it was short of a pound weight. Jakob told them, "I don't sell it by the pound, I sell it by the gogle (piece)." It is said that he never had trouble with that inspector on short weight.
In the late 1860's the Jakob Hirschi family, except for Jakob, began to affiliate themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon). Susanna, his wife, was baptized September 1, 1867 in the River Simme near the Dorf of Ringoldingen where the LDS Branch was located. She was the first in the family to join and no doubt this caused trouble between her and Jakob but it is said that he tolerated the missionaries and the gospel but had no desire to embrace it. Lena, Jakob's oldest daughter, was sent to live with her mother's relatives at a young age and therefore she was never taught the gospel, but Susanna Rosina, her younger sister, did join the church when she was eight years old (May 25, 1870).
In 1872 Jakob lost his mother and this along with problems at home caused him much worry. In 1878 his sons Johann Jakob, David and Arnold were baptized into the Mormon Church in Switzerland (April 11, 1878). Much talk and discussion was given by the family to get Jakob to immigrate to the United States. He refused, but gave his permission for his son David and daughter Susanna Rosina to immigrate. He stated, "He would not spend one penny of his money for their trip". Thinking that this would end their idea, but instead arrangements were made through the L.D.S. church and friends to secure passage to America. On August 24, 1882 both of his children left his family.
Jakob could see that the gospel was splitting his family and he and his wife could not overcome the problem created by the church. In 1883 his wife, Arnold Daniel, John, and Anna separated themselves from the family and left for America. This left Jakob with his oldest daughter and oldest son by his side to continue to farm, and it is said that he was very lonesome for his family and would have come only he was afraid he would become homesick for his home. On one occasion after his family left he came in contact with Jacob Tueller and told him he knew the gospel from America was true and that Tueller should go to their meetings and he told Tueller where he could located the missionaries and the meeting place. Jakob and Tueller also discussed the fact that many people in their locality were accepting the church and going to America. Because of Jakob's insistence Tueller investigated the gospel and joined the church. Jakob was starting to mellow and in the Lord's way was being prepared for conversion.
John Bishoff tells of an experience where Jakob probably spared his life and his missionary companion. He relates that they were at Jakob's home and were told by him that they could have food and lodging for the night. Jakob was busy with his chores while Bishoff and his companion were busy explaining the gospel to him when suddenly a large mob gathered at Jakob's farm and accused the missionaries and their church of taking innocent lives at the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The missionaries explained the true story, however, the mob was drunk and didn't accept their story and were ready to attack when Jakob stood up from milking a cow and said, "These missionaries told you the truth and the first man that touches these missionaries I will knock down with this milk stool. You men are drunk and are not fit to be here." The mob quickly turned and all of them left.
Jakob was lonesome and needed help running his farm when in 1884 he became acquainted with a widow by the name of Marie Knutti Aegler. She had two children from her previous marriage, John and Mary Aegler.
Jakob and Marie married sometime in 1884 and finally in 1885, after the law of posting, the marriage went on record July 17, 1885. His divorce to Susanna Werren was recorded May 27, 1885. During this eventful year Johann Jakob also left his father and emigrated to America. His reason for not leaving sooner was that he had been drafted into the Swiss Army and needed to complete his tour of duty.
Jakob and Marie soon had a son Raynold (1885-1965), and then William (1886-1960), and finally Fritz (1894-1894) who died in early infancy.
In the early summer of 1892 Arnold Daniel was sent back to Switzerland to fulfill a mission for the Mormon Church. As he arrived in Diemtigen he went home to his father. What a surprise to find that he had two step-brothers; and with full love and patience he began to teach his father and family the gospel. Arnold was full of the spirit and after some time he baptized Jakob and Marie on July 1, 1892. Jakob heard and accepted the call to emigrate to America and in the next two years he spent time selling his property and making plans to emigrate with his family and Arnold. Finally Arnold was released from his mission on June 20, 1894. Along with the Jakob Hirschi family they arrived in America on Saturday July 17, 1894. Because of a railroad strike they were forced to remain in New York until July 23, 1894. Finally they arrived in Montpelier, Idaho where many of the Swiss people were immigrating to. As soon as they arrived Jakob purchased one hundred sixty acres and a home in Montpelier.
There is little know information on how the two Hirschi families got along in Montpelier, but I'm sure there were many disappointments for both families and much sorrow felt.
When the first automobile came to Montpelier, some of Jakob's friends wanted him to take a ride. He said, "No, I won't ride in that devil's wagon." Another incident which proved to be humorous was the first time Jakob ate ice cream. The family was hand-turning it in the ice cream freezer. As he got his first dishful, someone cautioned him to blow it hard because it was very hot from spinning around so long. He did and imagine his surprise when he tasted it.
Jakob raised his sons, Raynold and William, there in Montpelier and saw to it that they were left with many of his teachings and understanding.
On July 2, 1902 Susanna Katherina Werren Hirschi died in Montpelier, Idaho. As his ex-wife she had endured many hardships and trials, but because of her love of the gospel and the church she had forsaken her loved one to be in Zion with the saints. The story of Jakob Hirschi ends in 1909 on June 18. At the age of 79 he passed away. It is said that he was not sick up until two weeks before his passing. He had kept himself busy all those years by ranching and farming. Once he told his son David that he loved this country of America and that he would be satisfied if he could live only five years longer. Jakob was buried in the Montpelier cemetery. His posterity continues to this day. Marie, his second wife, remained in Montpelier with her sons.
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