Peter Hilty (note spelling change from parent’s Hilti) was the son of Michael and Elisabeth Thüler (Americanized to Diller) Hilti.
Peter was born on Oct. 3, 1791, in Doubs, Alsace Loraine, France. He married Verena Luginbuhl on Nov. 12, 1817, in Chavanatte, Belfort, France, and the couple had five children: John, Barbara, Peter Jr., Christian and Catherine.
In 1827 they left France for American with their children ranging in age from 3 to 9.
After arriving in New York they left for Wayne County, Ohio, where Verena’s brother, David Lugibihl, (note spelling change) was already living in Holmes County.
While the family was heading for Wayne County, Verena became ill and died in October, 1827. This left Peter alone with his five young children. He decided to leave the children with relatives and friends. He found employment working in eastern Ohio helping to build the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Peter then married Katharine Geiger on Dec. 3, 1837, in Wayne County. Katharine was a widower and was previously married to Christian Gilliom, who died in 1836. There were no children from the marriage of Peter and Katharine.
Peter Hilty, Senior Born: Oct. 3, 1791, Doubs, France Died: July 29, 1869, Richland Township Buried: Old Mennonite Cemetery
Peter’s father: Michael Hilti (1755-?) Peter’s mother: Elisabeth Verena Thüler (1758-1817)
Peter’s first wife: Frehna Verena Luginbuhl Born: 1792, Magny Haut Rhin France Died October, 1827
Verena’s father: David Niclaus Luginbuhl (1732-1794) Verena’s mother: Barbara Elizabeth Schumacher (1745-1808) Verena’s first husband: Peter Thüler
Children of Peter and Verena Hilty
John Hilty Born: Nov. 9, 1818, Falknerian Canton Basel, Switzerland Died: June 2, 1894, Richland Township Spouse: Katharine Neuenschwander The couple had 9 children
Barbara Hilty Born: March 12, 1820, Falkenrain Canton Basel, Switzerland Died: Feb. 5, 1866, Richland Township Spouse: Rev. Christian Steiner The couple had 9 children
Spouse: John Kohli The couple had 6 children
Peter Hilty, Jr. Born: Sept. 8, 1821, Falkenrain Canton Basel, Switzerland Died: April 8, 1892 Spouse: Elizabeth Neuenschwander The couple had 11 children
Christian Hilty Born: Feb. 2, 1823, Falkenrain Canton Basel, Switzerland Died: Feb. 23, 1866 Spouse: Magdalena Eicher The couple had 7 children
Catherine Hilty Born: Oct. 10, 1824, Falkenrain Canton Basel, Switzerland Died: Feb. 27, 1907, Newton, Kansas Spouse: John E. Steiner “Hans” The couple had 5 children
Peter Hilty, Sr., second marriage Spouse: Katharine Geiger Born: Oct. 7, 1794, Schwarzenegg, Switzerland Died: Sept. 16, 1866, Sonnenberg, Wayne County, Ohio The couple had no children
Katharine’s father: David Gyger (note spelling change) (1755-1829) Katharine’s mother: Verena Steiner (1757-1826) Katharine’s spouse: Christian Gilliom The couple had no children