Person:Alex Hirzel (1)

From the essay written by Otto and Emil Hirzel for the Alexander Hirzel-Studer Family Reunion around 1958:

"April 27, 1848, Christopher Hirzel married Josepha Katharina Freudiger of Nieder-Bipp, Canton Bern, 20 years his junior. Twin sons, were born to the couple February 18, 1849, but only the one named Alexander survived. A son baptized Christian was born June 5,1851. Six days after the birth of the later Josepha Katharina died, June 11, 1851. This was too hard a blow for the husband, now in his 60's. His former robust health declined. Two years after the death of Josepha K.—on Dec. 18, 1853, Christopher died also, leaving the two sons, at the age of 5 and 2 1/2 years as orphans and they became wards of the community of Dieterswyl, where their father possessed the Burgher rights. The estate of their father proved to be well ordered and ample funds provided for their upbringing and education. This was assigned by the Administrators of the Estate to the excellent family of Johann Kuepfer of Diessbach bIB, friends of their late father. They got the best of care, were treated by them as their own children, attended the Public Schools of the village, were even sent to school in the French speaking part of the Canton for a term. They were held by their Foster Parents to a strictly useful and honest life, and in turn they held them ever in highest respect and affection. The best proof of this mutual esteem is the fact that on the death of the last member of the Knepfer family, the two foster sons were found to be the sole heirs.

"Since in the foregoing statements, names and dates, the intended object is established-be it sufficient to conclude with the mere personals of Alexander and Christian, sons of Christopher and Josepha K.Hirzel-Freudiger, their marriages and observations of general nature, deemed appropriate here. Both married daughters of Rudolph and Anna Barbara Studer-Hanni, prominent merchants, Burghers of their native village, Diessbach b/B.

"Alexander married Elisabeth Studer Sept. 30, 1871, and after her untimely death March 13,1882, married her sister Marie on Sept. 3, 1886.

"Christian married Anna Studer, Jan. 10, 1879. Both lived all their life in the village of Diessbach biB. Christian Hirzel died Jan. 28, 1918, his wife on Feb. 15, 1915.

"Of the life of Alexander Hirzel and both his devoted spouses; of the events and vicissitudes of the 27 years spent in Switzerland; of the birth of their children, accurate notes and memorials are on record in the Journal of the Reunion body of the present generation in Toledo, Ohio, U. S. A. They resolved to emigrate to the U. S. A. and this was executed in the year 1898. Decisive in this for the family and future, so momentous a step, was no doubt the fact that already two of the elder sons of Alexander Hirzel had emigrated to the U. S. and settled in Toledo, Ohio, since the year 1890-Alfred, and in l892-Ernest. Both were able to assist and counsel their father in the new homeland.

"Alexander and Marie Hirzel Studer lived 31 and 41 years respectively ill their new homeland in Toledo, Ohio, where also the two youngest sons were born. Of the memorable events in these years, of their deaths and burials, appropriate mentions are preserved in the Rennion Journal. Beneath an impressive Family Memorial Stone, they rest from their earthly journey in the well kept family plot in the Lake Township, Wood County, Cemetery."

Name: Alexander Hirzel Estimated birth year: abt 1849 Age: 49 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Hãvre Place of Origin: Swiss (Swedish) Ship Name: La Navarre Search Ship Database: Search the La Navarre in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database Port of Arrival: New York, New York Line: 21 Microfilm Serial: 15 Microfilm Roll: T715_18 Page Number: 96

1.   Otto and Emil Hirzel. Essay written by Otto and Emil Hirzel for the Alexander Hirzel-Studer Family Reunion 1958. (June 1958).