A separate Swiss Connection column in this series focuses on the parents of Christian, Jr., Bösiger, who came to America in 1824. Click here to read that column.
Christian’s mother, Elizabeth Steiner, died in Pennsylvania in 1824. Christian, Sr., and his children moved to Ontario, Canada. After six years Christian, Sr., and his sons John, Christian and Ulrich moved to Wayne County, Ohio.
About 18 months later, in 1833, they relocated to Putnam County, Ohio.
This column centers on Christian, Jr., also known as “Black Beard” Bösiger, who was married to Catherine Lugibuhl on Dec. 9, 1831, in Wayne County. Christian and Catherine were both born in Alsace Loraine, France. We do not have the names of Catherine’s parents.
Catherine died at age 45 while giving birth to Jacob C. Christian, Jr., then married Mary Sutter on March 27, 1841. She was born March 5, 1822, in Delle, France, to Christian and Katherine (Berner) Sutter.
From Christian’s first two marriage there were 98 grandchildren.
Christian “Black Beard” and Catherine Lugibuhl
Christian born: Oct. 9, 1795, Alsace, Loraine, France
Died: April 30, 1880, Putnam County
Buried: Old Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton
Christian’s father: Bishop Christian Bösiger (1770-1847)
Christian’s mother: Elizabeth “Elsie” H. Steiner (1772-1824)
Catherine Lugibuhl
Born: Nov. 2, 1795, Alsace, Loraine, France
Died: Feb. 19, 1840, Putnam County
Parents: Not known
Christian “Black Beard” and Catherine Lugibuhl’s children
Spouse: Catherine Bösiger
Born: Dec. 29, 1831, Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio
Died: March 13, 1884, Riley Township
Elizabeth Bösiger
Born: Dec. 7, 1832, Green Township, Wayne County
Died April 22, 1894, Wayne County
Spouse: John Zimmerly
Christian Bösiger
Born: Oct. 28, 1833, Riley Township
Died: Feb. 26, 1853, Riley Township
John C. Bösiger
Born: Oct. 26, 1834, Riley Township
Died: April 18, 1905, Allen County, Ohio
Spouse: Elizabeth Bichsel
Ulrich Bösiger
Born: Aug. 23, 1836, Riley Township
Died: Dec. 8, 1887
Spouse: Anna Badertscher
Jacob C. Bösiger
Born: Feb. 19, 1840, Riley Township
Died: Dec. 8, 1925
Spouse: Mary Basinger
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Christian and Mary Sutter Bösiger
Married March 27, 1841
Mary Sutter born: March 5, 1822, Delle, France
Died: Jan. 1, 1862, Putnam County
Buried: Old Mennonite Cemetery
Mary’s father: Christian Sutter (1797 - )
Mary’s mother: Katherine Berner (1799-1869)
Christian and Mary Sutter Bösiger’s children
Note the change in spelling from Bösiger to Basinger in this generation
Peter C. Basinger
Born: May 18, 1842, Riley Township
Died: April 18, 1928, Riley Township
Spouse: Mary C. Suter
Moses Basinger
Born: July 17, 1843, Riley Township
Died June 23, 1926, Riley Township
Spouse: Marie Sophia Aerni
Benjamin Basinger
Born: Oct. 20, 1844, Riley Township
Died: Feb. 25, 1921, Riley Township
Spouse: Mary Ann Zurfluh
Aaron Basinger
Born: Jan. 10, 1847, Riley Township
Died: Aug. 17, 1931, Archbold, Ohio
Spouse: Katharina Burkholder
Katherine Basinger
Born: March 15, 1849, Riley Township
Died: April 22, 1910, Van Buren Township, Putnam County
Spouse: Hermann Aerni
Nathaniel Basinger
Born: April 24, 1851, Riley Township
Died: Dec. 21, 1937, Riley Township
Spouse: Emma Moser
Theophilus Basinger
Born: Feb. 22, 1854, Riley Township
Died: Nov. 5, 1938, Riley Township
Spouse: Anna C. Amstutz
Spouse: Katherina Suter
Magdalene Basinger (twin)
Born: March or May 16, 1856, Riley Township
Died: Nov. 28, 1856, Riley Township
Marie Basinger (twin)
Born: March or May 16, 1856, Riley Township
Died: Dec. 1, 1856, Riley Township
Fannie Basinger
Born: March 23, 1859, Riley Township
Died: Nov. 30, 1947, Toledo State Hospital