FARNI

30. FARNI / FARNEY / FARHNI / FORNEY

The name is of Swiss origin, and no doubt derives from the parish or community by that name in the southern Emmental, . Farhni is found and is used today in various forms: Farni, Farny, Farney, Forney. Farhni means ‘ferryman’.

While the parish of Fahrni belongs to , the scattered villages and farmhouses that make up Fahrni belong to the District of , Canton in Switzerland. The local community is quite dependant of dairy farmimg and cattle raising, but since 1975, when the Schwartzenegg-Thun connected Farhni to other cities, a number of the 800+ residents travel to other cities for their jobs.

Map of , Canton Bern, Switzerland.

The cities/villages of Thun, Steffisburg, and Fahrni are marked with red circles

Credit: Bing maps

A FARNI FAMILY WITH ROOTS BACK TO STEFFISBURG, SWITZERLAND

For this Farni family represented on the chart below, we have no documented connections to the rest of the Farni families listed in this FARNI Family Genealogical Introduction. The aim of this chart is to show a Farni family that has been traced back to the 1560’s in Steffisburg, Canton Bern, Switzerland, and that some of these families joined the Anabaptist movement in the mid 1600’s, and then that some of the Anabaptist Farni families moved to Sainte Marie-aux-Mines in Alsace, which was a known Anabaptist settlement.

Christian Farny (m. Anne Hirschi), an Anabaptist listed in the following section, was born in 1744, also in Canton Bern, and also moved to Lorraine in northeastern , where he died at , , in - 1 - FARNI

1793. Though no bloodline connections have yet been discovered, we wonder if our Christian Farni (b. 1744) would connect to the Barbara Farni (b. 1638) and Christian Gerber family because of the similar faith and travel related decisions of these families.

Generation I Cläuwi Farni m. Maria Waldmann ↓ Generation II Peter Farni baptized June 20, 1557, Steffisburg, Switzerland m. Verena Pieris ↓ Generation III Christen Farni baptized July 26, 1579, Steffisburg, Switzerland m. Anna Kemper on Oct. 26, 1601, Steffisburg, Switzerland ↓ Generation IV Nicklaus Farni baptized Oct. 9, 1603 Steffisburg, Switzerland m. Anna Stutzmann on Jan. 28, 1631, Steffisburg, Switzerland ↓ Generation V Barbara Farni Baptized on Nov. 11, 1638 m. on Feb. 21, 1653, Steffisburg, Switzerland to Christian Gerber, son of Ulrich Gerber and Barbara Farni (This family was Anabaptist) baptized Mar. 20, 1635, Steffisburg, Switzerland

Between 1671 and 1674, the Christian Gerber and Barbara Farni family, Anabaptists, moved to Sainte Marie-aux-Mines (Markirch), Alsace, France, which was a known Anabaptist settlement.

The information for this family chart was taken from the article, European Origins and Ancestors of Nicholas Gerber (ca.1698-1748), Immigrant and Early Resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, by Raymond C. Lantz, published in the April 2018 issue of Mennonite Family History.

A View of Steffisburg, Switzerland

The Farni family originates in the Steffisburg area

Credit: Clark Park, Wikipedia, Public Domain

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While we would like to connect the Fahrnis who were among the early settlers in Canada, to the Cläuwi Farni and Maria Waldmann family of the above family chart, we are not able. Maybe future research will find the connection.

Of the Farnis who did come to Upper Canada, those bearing the name soon left. However, there are many descendants of Christian Farni and Anne Hirschi in Ontario, but with other surnames. Magdalena Fahrni married Joseph L. Lichti, and they remained in Canada, as have most of their descendants. Many other Amish-Mennonite immigrants to Canada were also Fahrni descendants.

This FARNI Family Genealogical Introduction contains three separate Farni families, unrelated as

far as we know at the present time. They will be presented in the following order:

1. The Christian Farny and Anne Hirshy Family

a) John Farney/Forney and his sister, Madgdalena (Farny) Lichti

2. The Christian Farni and Peter Farny Families, Brothers

a) The Joseph Farny Family of Bisping, Lorraine

b) The Christian Farni Family

c) The Peter Farny and Anne Kempf Family

3. The Joseph Farney Family of Lewis County, New York

THE CHRISTIAN FARNY and ANNE HIRSCHI FAMILY

A FARNY FAMILY IN LORRAINE, FRANCE

Christian Farny and Anne Hirschy were residents of the Farm Belgrad (also called Bellegratte, Bellegarde, Belgrade, etc.), near Bistroff, Moselle, Lorraine, France. Records for eight children of this couple have been found. Two of them are of particular interest to us because of their descendants in Canada. Daughter Anne, was married to Christian Jantzi, and they continued to live on the Belgrad Farm on which their numerous children and even some grandchildren were born. Anne died in 1816, but Christian continued on the farm with his second wife Catherine Spenler. Catherine and most of the Jantzi children migrated to Lewis County, New York and to Canada. (1) (See Notes below)

Another daughter of Christian and Anne Farny was Madeleine/Magdalena, who became the third wife of Michel Zehr. Michel and Madeleine are the parents of Peter Zehr, who would be become known as "Dr." Peter Zehr in Canada. (2) Joseph Farny, the third son of Christian and Anne Farni, and his wife Anne Neuhouser were the grandparents of Magdalena Farni, who married Joseph L. Lichti of Wilmot Township, Ontario. No doubt, several other children of the Christian and Anne (Hirchy) Farny family will have descendants in other parts of the American continent.

THE FAMILY OF CHRISTIAN FARNY AND ANNE HIRSCHY

Christian Farni/Farny, Resident of the Farm Belgrad, Bistroff, Department of Moselle (Lorraine) b. Dec. 17, 1744 in Canton Bern, Switzerland d. before Sept. 23, 1793 at Bistroff, Moselle, Lorraine, France m. 1766/68 in Moselle anne hirsChi, dau. of Simon Hirschi (b. Jan. 14, 1726 at ) and Barbara Schertz, Possible granddaughter of Jacob Hirschi and Barbara Rolle (anabaptist miller at Hingsange mill) b. ca. 1746\48 d. between 176 and 1802, Bistroff

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The children of Christian Farni and Anne Hirschi include: 1. Pierre/Peter Farny, b. ca. 1761. d. May 7, 1805, Bening-lès-, a part of Harprich; m. Elisabeth Gerber, b. ca. 1762 d. Aug. 4, 1837 at Destry, Moselle. Their children include: a. Madeleine Farny, b. about 1794 Bénestroff. m. Aug. 12, 1813, at Destry Jean Hirschy. son of Jean Hirschi and Anne Rouvenacht b. about 1787 at Haut-Clocher, b. Catherine Farny, b. 1798 at Bénestroff . m. April 11, 1818 at Destry to Jean Kieffer, son of Joseph Kieffer and Magdalena Hirschi. b. Sept. 30, 1798 . Jean Kieffer later became a recruiter-land agent for James LeRay de Chaumont and brought Zehr, Farny, Vercler, and Hirschi families to Castorland in the French Settlement, now called New Bremen, New York c. Jean Farny, b. May 1 or 11, 1801 at Harprich, d. Aug. 17, 1854, Spring Bay, Woodford County

2. Anne Farny b. Aug. 15, 1771 at Bistroff. d. Dec. 26, 1816 at Bistroff. m. March 2, 1794 at Bistroff Christian/Chrétien Jantzi, son of Michael Jantzi and Barbara Gerber. b. Oct. 18, 1766 on Brandelfing farm at Gros-Réderching d. Nov. 15, 1828 at Bistroff, Christian Jantzi 2m. May 21, 1817 at Bistroff Catherine Spenler, d. of Peter/Pierre Spänler and Marie Legere They had six more children As a widow, Catherine (Spenler) sailed from Le Havre on the Groton and arrived at New York June 4, 1834. She settled her family at Wellesley, Ontario. There are many descendants of this family in the Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish churches in Ontario today. The children of Anne Farny and Christian Jantzi born at Bistroff (Begrade Farm) include: a. Anna Jantzi, b. 25 May 1793 (3); d. 18 Jan 1886 m. to Michael Zehr b. Maria Jantzi, b. 4 Apr 1796; d. 8 Nov 1875?m. to Christian Nafziger c. Barbara/Elisabeth Jantzi, b. 9 May 1797; d. ?m. to John Peter Spenler d. Catherine Jantzi, b. 15 Jan 1801; d. ? e. Magdalena Jantzi, b. 23 Dec 1801; d. 28 Feb 1881 m. to Christian Kennel f. Christian Jantzi, b. 11 Oct 1804; d. 10 Apr 1817 g. John Jantzi, b. 24 Mar 1806; d. 12 Dec 1881m. to Elizabeth Gerber h. Catherine/Susanna Jantzi, b. 3 Mar 1808; d. ? m. to Christian Nafziger i. Michael Jantzi, b. 10 Apr 1810; d. 29 Mar 1903; m. to Maria Boshart; 2m. Catherine Schweitzer j. Joseph Jantzi, b. 14 Dec 1812; d. 18 Jan 1847; m. to Catherine Boshart Catherine 2m. to Christian Riser (See JANTZI Family Genealogical Introduction for more information)

● BWJ is a descendant of four of Anne Farny and Christian Jantzi’s children: Magdalene (1801); John (1806); Michael (1810); and Joseph (1812)

3. Joseph Farny b. Nov. 12, 1776. m. 1797 at Bistroff Anne Neuhauser, dau. of Christian Neyhauser and Anne Zimmerman b. April 15, 1772. a) Their daughter Marie Farny, b. 1802 gave birth to two illegitimate children: (i) Jean Farny/John Forney (1824-1908) m. Elizabeth Krob (ii) Magdalena Farny (1828-19150 m. Joseph L. Lichti

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4. Barbe Farny, b. July 1, 1777, Belgrade, Bistroff d. Dec. 9, 1836 at Bertring. m. May 7, 1802 on Belgrade Farm, Bistroff Josephe Stecker, son of Adrian Anthoni Stücker and Marie Müller b. Mar. 19, 1776 at Marienthal d. after 1838 Children a. Christian Farny (later Staker) b. 21 Jan 1801, Bistroff , m. 3 June 1826 to Magdelaine Gabriel b. Anna Stecker b. 1803 at ; m. John Bachman c. Jean/John Stecker/Staker b. 1805 at Tagny, m. Barbera Schertz d. Joseph Stecker/Staker b. 1808 at Harprich e. Barbara Stecker b. 1810 at Harprich f. Catherine Stecker b. 1811 at Harprich g. Nicolas Stecker b. 1814 at Linstroff

5. Marie Farny, b. ca. 1780, d. at Aug. 31, 1819 Vou, Centre, France. m. 30 Jan 1800, Bistroff Christian Moser, son of Christian Moser of and Magdalena Risser. b. in 1781/82; d. in 1849, Children: 1) Anne Moser, b. 21 Dec 1800, Belgrad, Bistroff 2) Barbe Moser, b. 23 May 1802, Belgrad, Bistroff 3) Magdeleine Moser, b. 15 Aug 1803 d. 10 Feb 1805, la Capelle, Bistroff d. 26 Dec 1808, la Capelle (4 years 6 mo.) 4) Susanne Moser, d. 26 Feb 1805, la Capelle (perhaps this is Barbe - age not noted) 5) Christian Moser, b. 31 July 1806, la Capelle 6) Barbe Moser, b. 11 Feb 1808; d. 11 July 1808, La Capelle 7) Catrine Moser, b. 29 June 1809, La Capelle

6. Magdalena/Madeleine Farny b. ca. 1783. 1m. 7 Sept. 1809, Gros-Réderching, Moselle Michel Zehr, b. 1755, d. June 1, 1813 (see ZEHR Introduction for more information) Michel had been twice-widowed. He brought to the marriage one child from an earlier marriage to Catherine Esch and several children from an earlier marriage to Anne Marie Kohler. Michel and Magdalena were the parents of two children: a. Peter/Pierre Zehr, b. 20 Aug. 1809 Gros-Réderching, France, m. Barbara Roth, b. Magdalena/Madeleine Zehr, b. 18 Mar. 1813, Gros-Réderching. d.12 Apr. 1823, GrosRéderching

2m. March 8, 1814 at Singling within Gros-Réderching Joseph Risser, son of Joseph Risser and Anne Marie Kropf b. ca. 1780 (Magdalena and Joseph Risser, and her niece Marie Farny’s two children, accompanied Peter and Barbara Zehr to America, (on ship passenger list) and probably all the way to Canada - no record of their being in Canada - only family tradition. Family Charts for Marie Farny’s two children appear below.)

7. Catherine Farny b. Sept. 9, 1785 at Bertring, d. Dec. 9, 1836 at , Moselle. m. Sept. 22, 1802 at Bistroff (4) Pierre Frischmann, son of Nikolaus Frischmann and Katharina Breinig b. Nov. 3, 1776, at Puttelange-aux-Lacs [Ger. Püttlingen], d. April 27, 1827 at Viller

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8. Suzanne Farny b. 1788. m. Feb. 2, 1809 on Belgrade farm Christian Springer, son of Daniel Springer and Marie Kohler b. 1783, Plaine-de-Walsch d. Jan. 18, 1827 Dambach, Lower Alsace son Jean Springer/John Spring (1817-1891) who settled in Tazewell County 1m. Catherine Farni/Farny/Forney, dau. of Peter Farni and Anne Kempf 2. Catherine Ringenberger, dau. of Peter Ringenberger and Anna Schrag

◄ Buildings at Farm Belgrad,

in Lorraine, France, as they appeared in 1996. Alphonse and Marie Kollman lived here at that time. Notice how the house part is fastened to the barn. The date stone above the door says 1835.

Photo credit: Bruce W. Jantzi

Also at Farm Belgrad ►

This older building was most likely here when the Farny family lived at Belgrad

Photo Credit: Bruce W. Jantzi, 1996

◄ Bischwald Mill

The ruins in 2008

This mill was located on Lake Bischwald which lies between Farm Belgrad and the village of Bistroff

© Donna Schrock Birkey. Used by permission.

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JOHN FARNEY/FORNEY AND MAGDALENA (FARNY) LICHTI

BROTHER AND SISTER: JOHN FARNEY/FORNEY AND MAGDALENA FARNY

John Farny, born in 1824, and Magdalena Farny, born in 1828, were brother and sister. No doubt, John must be the one born on July 14, 1828, to Marie Farni out of wedlock. She was a domestic servant in the home of Joseph Risser and his wife Madeleine Farni, previously married to Michel Zehr. They were residing at Singling, and the birth was registered at Gros-Rederching, Department of Moselle, in the area known as Lorraine. Marie Farni was a niece to Madeleine Farni, wife of Joseph Risser.

According to tradition, young Magdalena Farny (b. 1828) accompanied the Dr. Peter Zehr family to Canada. Peter and Barbara Zehr and their infant son born enroute, landed at New York on December 28, 1835. With them were Joseph and Magdeline Risser, step-father and mother of Peter Zehr, and Jean/John, Risser, age 12 and Magdelina Risser, age 10. The children, John and Magdalena, were listed under the Rissers, but the Rissers did not have children. For many years researchers and descendants were puzzled as to which family John Farny and his sister Magdalena belonged. Were these two children Rissers or Farnys?

New information has come to light through the research of Joseph Peter Staker in Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County, Illinois – and – the article in Mennonite Family History, January 2017 issue, entitled Immigrant Ancestors of Peter Zehr, by Hope Kauffman Lind.

Joseph Risser, b. ca. 1780, son of Joseph Risser and Anne Marie Kropf, married in 1814 to Magdalena Farny, b. ca. 1783, daughter of Christian Farny and Anne Hirschi. Magdalena first was married to twice- widowed Michel Zehr, who had brought several children into the marriage from his earlier marriages. Michel Zehr died in 1813. (See the family chart for Christian Farni and Anne Hirschi above.)

Joseph and Magdalena (Farny, Zehr) Risser employed a servant, Marie Farny. She was a niece of Magdalena, and a daughter of her brother Joseph Farny (b.1776) and Anne Neuhauser (b. 1772). In 1824, about a year after Magdalena (Farny, Zehr) Risser’s daughter Magdalena Zehr died at age ten, Marie Farny bore an illegitimate son, named John Farny. Joseph Risser was the biological father of Marie's son, and perhaps also the father of Marie’s illegitimate daughter born two/four years later, whom she named Magdalena Farny. This is according to an account told by the John Farny’s son, Aaron Forney, to his children. Because they were raised in the Risser home, in some records these two Farny children appear as John and Magdalena Risser.

Children of Marie Farney, b. 1802, dau of Joseph Farny and Anne Nauhouser 1. Jean Farny/John Forney was born at the hamlet Singling within Gros-Réderching July 14, 1824, 2. Magdalena Farny was born at the hamlet Singling within Gros-Réderching April 13, 1828. Magdalena’s birth date comes from a family note, and cannot be confirmed by civil records. There are other indicators that she was born in 1826.

Both of these children can be found in civil records as bonded servants of their grandfather, Joseph Farny, Marie’s father. This allowed him the legal rights of a guardian despite their illegitimacy.

In 1827 Joseph and Magdalena (Farny, Zehr) Risser were living on the farm L'Age at Jeu-lès-Bois, in the Department of Indre, 170 miles south of Paris. Marie Farny does not appear in the records of this place; instead Madaleine Mayer/Mozer became part of the Risser household as a servant.

In November of 1835 Joseph Risser, his wife Magdalena Farny Risser, servant/niece Marie Farny's two illegitimate children, John and Magdalena Farny, and Magdalena’s son Peter/Pierre Zehr with his pregnant wife Barbara Roth (a daughter of Niclaŭs Roth and Verena Zimmerman) reached the port of Le Havre, France. They embarked on the packet ship Formosa, and arrived at New York Dec. 28, 1935.

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The passenger list reads: (11) Joseph Risser, 55, farmer, France; Magdeline, 53; Jean, 12; Magdaleina, 10; Peter Yer [Zehr], 26; Barbara Yer, 22; and Andreas, 1 (born at sea Dec. 15)

No doubt, this group spent the winter in Pennsylvania, making their way to Lewis County, New York, the following spring. Joseph Risser and Magdelena Farny simply step off the pages after their arrival. We found no records that might identify them in North America. The Zehrs, and supposedly the Farny children, John and Magdalena, spent some time in Lewis County, New York, arriving in Upper Canada in 1838 or 1839. They settled in South Easthope Township in the Huron District (later it became Perth County) where Peter became the first minister in what is now the East Zorra Mennonite Church. (12)

JOHN FORNEY

The descendants of John, now known as Forney, also have several traditions. One is that John took his mother's name -- Marie Farney, but his father's name was Joseph Risser. (13) Another tradition states that John and Magdalena's grandfather bound them out as servants. John, according to one family tradition, came to America with a Wertz family in 1834 or 1835. According to the 1900 census records, John went to the United States in 1842. This would have been Butler County, Ohio. In 1853, he went to Tazewell County, Illinois. He worked as a farm hand for Andrew Ropp, near Pekin, Illinois. Andrew Ropp was a bishop in the Amish Mennonite church and had also gone to Illinois via Canada and Ohio. This was the Andrew Ropp who appeared on the list of immigrants who came with Christian Farni to Canada in 1826.

On April 17, 1855, John Forney was married to Elizabeth Krob (also spelled Grubb -- perhaps derived from Kropf) by Bishop Ropp. John and Elizabeth farmed in Tazewell County until 1864 when they moved to Livingston County and pioneered on untamed prairie. Both are buried in the Pike Cemetery.

John Forney, son of Marie Farny b. 1802, grandson of Joseph Farny and Anne Neuhauser b. 14 July 1824, Singling, Gros-Rederching, Moselle 10/23 July 1824 (alternate dates) d. 26 Dec 1908, bu. Pike Cemetery m. 17 Apr 1855, Tazewell Co., Ill. elizabeth Krob, dau. of André Kropp [Kropf] and his third wife Anne Marie Schwitzer. (also Louisa) b. 14 Mar 1832 near St. Dietel [perhaps St. Die] Vosges, France d. 5 May 1894, bu. Pike Cemetery

Children: 1) Magdalena/Lena Forney, b. 7 July 1856; d. 21 Nov 1940; m. John Rich, son of Jean Rich and Catherine Eicher

2) Joseph Forney, b. 7 Aug 1858; d. 31 July 1868

3) Mary Forney, b. 5 Mar 1861; d. 17 Nov 1904; m. John Beller, b. 21 Jun 1860; son of Jacob Beller and Elizabeth Schirch John 2.m in 1906 to Sarah Good, dau. of Joseph Guth and Katherine Stalter

4) Elizabeth Forney, b. 2 Nov 1863; d. 25 Jul 1943; m. John D. Roszhart, son of Johannes Rosshardt and Crecentia Dierberger

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5) Aaron Forney, b. 18 Apr 1865; d. 9 June 1941; m. Mary B. King, dau of Christian King and Mary Baechler

6) John Forney Jr., b. 23 Jan 1867; d. 21 Jan 1944; 1m Mattie Kropf, dau of David Kropf and Magdalena Lichty, of Musselberg, Ontario 2m. Fanny Zehr/Sears, dau. of Christian Zehr and Jacobine Eigsti

7) Andrew Forney, b. 7 Sept 1868; d. 6 Oct 1868

8) Eva Forney, b. 26 Oct 1871; d. 5 May 1872

9) Fannie Forney, b. 7 June 1874; d. 22 May 1929; m. Charles Fahsbender, son of Carl/Charles Fahsbender and Barbara Maurer (Kropp)

MAGDALENA (FARNEY) LICHTI

Magdalena Fahrni/Farney resided with Dr. Peter and Barbara (Roth) Zehr in South Easthope Township from the late 1830s until her marriage about 1847 to Joseph L. Lichti. Joseph was born in Largitzen, Haut-Rhin (Upper Alsace), and migrated with his parents, Christian and Magdalena (Litwiller) Lichti, to Canada in 1827. He grew up on Erb's Road, a few farms west of what is now the village of St. Agatha.

By the time of the 1851 census, Joseph and Magdalena Lichti were living in the Amish Settlement in the northwest corner of Wilmot Township. No doubt they were living on Lot 15, Concession IV, which had been purchased by Joseph's father from the Canada Company in 1848. Joseph purchased it from his father in 1859. In 1854 he had purchased the north half of Lot 10, Concession III and Lot 10, Concession IV, which comprised only four acres because of the direction of the road separating the townships of Wilmot and Wellesley. Lot 15 also was not a full-sized lot, comprising only 55 acres. In 1869, Joseph and Magdalena also purchased Lot 16, Concession IV. In 1890, they sold the four-acre Lot 10 and the north half of Lot 10, Concession III, to son Joseph. Lots 15 and 16 in the 4th concession were sold by the estate to son Jacob in 1894.

Joseph and Magdalena had 11 children, nine of whom grew to adulthood and married. Joseph and Magdalena are buried in the Amish Mennonite Society Cemetery, across the road from their farm. (14)

Magdalena and Joseph L. Lichti's son Jacob F. Lichti, was first married to Catherine (Kate) Zehr and then to Catherine Leis. He was ordained deacon (1891), minister (1898), and bishop (1901) in the Wellesley Amish Mennonite congregation (now Maple View). Bishop Lichti and Deacon John Gascho became the ordained leaders who led the division in the Wellesley congregation in 1911. The new congregation built another meetinghouse at the corner of the Third Line (Deborah Glaister Rd) and the Wellesley- Crosshill (Hutchison Rd) road. For many years it was known as the Lichti Church, but is now known as Cedar Grove Amish Mennonite Church.

The house in the Amish Settlement east of Wellesley where Joseph L. Lichti and Magdalena Farney raised their family. It is a two-storey log structure built before 1851. Owned by great-grandson, David L. Jantzi, in 2017

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Magdalena Fahrni/Farney, dau. of Marie Farny, granddaughter of Joseph Farny and Anne Neuhauser b. 13 Apr 1828 Singling within Gros-Réderching, Lorraine, France (some records indicate 1826) d. 1 Nov 1915, bu. A. M. Society Cemetery, Wilmot m. ca. 1847 Canada Joseph L. Lichti, son of Christian Lichti and Magdalena Litwiller b. 12 Mar 1824, Largitzen, Haut-Rhin (Upper Alsace) d. 18 Jun 1890, bu. Amish Mennonite Society Cemetery

● Magdalena (Farney) Lichti is a great-great-grandmother of BWJ

Children: Grandchildren: 1) Barbara Lichti b. 21 Dec 1848 Wilmot d. 23 Jun 1876 Mornington m. 26 Mar 1872 Wilmot Henry N. Kropf Magdalena Kropf (1873- ) b. 1845 Wilmot Grave marker for d. 9 Mar 1875 Mornington Magdalena (Farney) Lichti son of Henry Kropf Credit: findagrave.com and Anna Nafziger Carol Simmons Barbara and Henry died of consumption (T.B.)

Anna Kropf (1870-1945) m. John E. Lichty 2) Magdalena Lichti Magdalena Kropf (1872-1904) m. John Forney Jr. b. 16 Oct 1851 Wilmot Joseph L. Kropf (1874-1968) m. Rebecca Mank d. 23 May 1925 Poole 2m. Mary Lichty; 3m. Nancy Leis m. 28 Dec 1869 Wellesley Mary Kropf (1876-1894 ?) David N. Kropf Catherine Kropf (ca.1878- 1956 ) b. 25 Jul 1843 Wilmot David L. Kropf (1881-1972) m. Lydia E. Hammer d. 28 Nov 1893 Poole Veronica Kropf (1884-1977) m. Christian Brunk son of Henry Kropf Peter Kropf (1886- ) m. Sarah Gingerich and Anna Nafziger Christian L. Kropf (1888-1961) m Barbara Habermehl Leah Kropf (1893-1986) m. Joseph L. Ropp 2m. George Poole

3) Maria Lichti b. 10 Nov 1852 Wilmot Henry Kropf (ca.1874- ) d. 9 Sept 1894 E.Zorra Magdalena Kropf (1869-1940) m. Joseph Gerber 1m. 11 Nov 1873 Wilmot Sarah Kropf (1878-1969) m. Simeon/Simon Jantzi 2m. 10 Nov 1891 Poole? Joseph Kropf (1880-1970) m. Lovina Yoder Solomon N. Kropf Solomon Kropf (1883-1954) m. Magdalena Boshart, b. 1852 Wilmot 2m. Leah (Jantzi) Jutzi; 3m. Mattie Gerber d. 30 Mar 1889 Morn. Mary Kropf (1885- 1911) m. Frank Boss son of Henry Kropf and Anna Nafziger Joseph K. Yantzi Joseph K. Yantzi had 2 children to his 1st marriage, b. 10 May 1852 Waterloo? and two to his 3rd marriage, but none with Maria Lichti d. 27 Jun 1926 E.Zorra

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4) Catherine Lichti b. 16 Jan 1855 Wellesley Joseph L. Leis (1876-1949) m. Mary Albrecht d. 25 Jul 1941 Wellesley Simon L. Leis (1878-1960) m. Catherine Schwartzentruber m. 15 Jun 1875 Wilmot Magdalena Leis (1879-1880) Christian Leis David L. Leis (1881-1953) b. 27 Dec 1850 Wellesley Sarah Leis (1884- ) m. Norman Wahl d. 26 Oct 1928 Wellesley Christian L. Leis (1887-1928) m. Fanny Schmidt son of Joseph Leis and Amos L. Leis (1892-1967) m. Nancy Steinman Catherine Kennel Catherine Leis (1898-1987) m. Daniel Z. Gerber

5) Christian F. Lichti b. 3 Aug 1857/8 Wilmot d. 3 Nov. 1937, Wellesley? m. 14 Oct 1879 Wilmot Annie Lichti (adopted) (1884-1973) Mary Schweitzer m. Moses Lichti, son of Jospeh B. Lichti and Catherine Jantzi b. ca.1858 NEhope d. 28 Jul.1940 Batavia, NY dau. of Joseph Schweitzer and Mary Schlabach Joseph E. Lichti (1881-1944) m. Mary Erb 6) Joseph F. Lichti Barbara Lichti (1883-1922) m. David R. Kropf b. 26 Aug 1859 Wilmot Magdalena Lichti (1885-1886) d. 28 Jul 1936 Wellesley? Mary Lichti (1887-1972) m. Joseph S. Wagler m. 30/1 Mar 1880 Wilmot? Leah Lichti (1889-1988) m. Nicholas S. Roth Barbara Erb Rebecca Lichti (1893-1958) m. Amos Kipfer b. 6/16 Jul 1861 Wilmot Menno Lichti (1895) d. 13 Dec 1932 Waterloo? John E. Lichti (1896-1968) m. Barbara Bender dau. of Joseph Erb Lydia Lichti (1899-1986) m. Joseph S. Roth and Magdalena Gerber Lena Lichti (1900-1987) m. Cyranius Kipfer Sarah Lichti (1902) Katie Lichti (1905-1990) m. Ezra Kropf

7) Peter F. Lichti Christian Z. Lichti (1892-1970) m. Mary Albrecht b. 1/7 Nov 1861 Wilmot Veronica Lichti (1895-1985) m. Allan Y. Bender d. 3 May 1958 Amos Lichti (1899-1981) m. Sarah Leis 2m. Lauretta Kreller m. 8 Mar 1887 Wellesley Peter Z. Lichti (1900- ) m. Carrie Lantz Magdalena Zehr Lena Lichti (1902-1984) m. Christian Z. Gerber b. 26 Feb 1869 Wilmot Reuben Lichti (1905) d. 17 May 1945 Mannasseh Lichti (1907- disappeared) dau. of Christian B. Martha Lichti (1909- ) m. Allen Leis Zehr & Veronica Schultz Emma Lichti (1911-2003) m. Aaron W. Gerber

Magdalena Lichti (1888-1889) 8) John F. Lichti Joseph R. Lichti (1890-1963) m. Katherine Wagler b. 28 Mar 1864/5 Wilmot John R. Lichti (1892-1987) m. Mary Nafziger d. 2 June 1932 Bena Lichti (1894-1981) m. Daniel S. Albrecht m. 12 Jan 1888 Mornington Barbara Lichti (1896- 1972) m. Joel Ropp Barbara Roth Peter Lichti (1897-1916) b. 2 Mar 1868 Elma Jacob R. Lichti (1900-1966) m. Mary Schmidt d. 6 Nov 1944 Catherine Lichti (1902-1988) m. Noah Z. Albrecht dau. of John Roth Christina Lichti (1904-1997) m Valentine Nafziger and Barbara Bellar Aaron Lichti (1907- 1994) m. Lavina Horst Levi Lichti (1913-1914) - 11 - FARNI

9) Jacob F. Lichti Daniel Lichti (1891- ) m. Barbara Wagler b. 21 Oct 1866 Wilmot Menno Lichti (1892-1893) d. 23 May 1944 Wilmot Fannie Lichti (1894-1965) m. Moses Zehr m. 1 Oct 1889 Wilmot Jacob Z. Lichti (1896-1973) m. Nancy Wagler 2m. 17 Mar. 1903 Solomon Lichti (1898-1899) Catherine Zehr David Lichti (1900) b. 29 Dec 1870 Wilmot Samuel Z. Lichti (1902- ) m. Mary Schmucker d. 27 Sep 1902 Wilmot dau. of Christian B. Children of second marriage Zehr & Veronica Schultz Magdalena Lichti (1904-1956) m. Noah W. Jantzi Catherine Leis Catherine/ Katie Lichti (1906- 1998 ) m. John C. Kuepfer b. 14 Feb 1880 Nancy Lichti (1908-1999) m. Noah Gascho d. 13/17 Aug 1945 Wilmot Lydia Lichti (1910- 2005) m. Noah Roes dau. of Joseph K. Leis Mary Lichti (1914-2001) m. Nicholas Jantzi and Catherine Roth

10) Daniel F. Lichti b. 2 Feb 1869 d. 1 Jan 1870 Wilmot

11) Elizabeth Lichti b. 18 Jan 1873 d.

THE CHRISTIAN FARNY and PETER FARNY FAMILIES, BROTHERS

CHRISTIAN FARNI AND PETER FARNY FAMILIES: THEIR BRIEF SOJOURN IN CANADA

The first Farni to arrive in Upper Canada was Christian. He had arrived in Pennsylvania in 1824. In the summer of 1826, his family was included in a group leaving for Canada. It was comprised of the Farnis, John Erb and his recent bride, Veronica Schwartzentruber, Michael Swartz and a Zehr family -- no doubt that of Joseph Zehr. They were joined by the Andrew Ropp family, recent arrivals from France. Many years later, Christian Ropp, a lad of 14 at that time, included this list in his "Autobiography of a Pioneer."(5)

Christian Farni was the son of Joseph Farny (1748-1800) and Anne Risser. He and his older brother, Peter, were in Canada for a decade or less. The Joseph Farny family lived in Lorraine, France on Nolweyer Pond at Bisping around the year 1800.

Christian Farni claimed Lot 11, South Snyder's Road, the one with the largest of the Baden Hills, in the new settlement in Wilmot Township. No doubt, Christian became concerned about the new terms set by King's College for the land on which he and his colleagues had settled, for on June 17, 1829, he signed a petition requesting reasonable terms. (6) Also in 1829, the Amish Mennonite congregation ordained him as a minister. By 1830 he had completed his settler's duties on his lot, thus qualifying him for the patent (deed) to the front 50 acres. In the 1831 census, Christian Farni's household consisted of three adult males, 1 adult female, 1 male child and 2 female children.

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In the 1833 census both the Christian "Farney" and Peter "Farney" families were in Woolwich Township. It was not until September of 1833 that Christian sold his Wilmot Township property to Christian Mayer. (7) It is said that in 1834, Christian and his family migrated to the Mackinaw River area in Illinois.(8)

Christian Farni's wife while in Canada was Nancy Yotter, (Nancy Yotter according to Lorraine Roth’s research. Joseph Staker calls her Anna Mosimann). By 1840, he was a widower and married Magdalena Strubhar.

Peter Farny was married to Anne Kempf. They had three children born at , Meurthe, France, and a fourth one was born in Pennsylvania in 1831. By the time of Mary's birth on New Year's Day in 1832, they were in Canada. According to the family list they were still in Canada for son Peter's birth in June, 1835. Lydia was born in February, 1837, in Woodford County, Illinois. Evidently Peter had not purchased land in Canada; so he did not leave much of a paper trail in this country. (9)

THE JOSEPH FARNY FAMILY OF BISPING, LORRAINE

Joseph Farny/Farhni b. about 1748 at the mill on Les

Bachets farm at Rhodes (9a) d. 1 Feb 1800 at Bisping 1m. anne sChertz 2m. anne risser daughter of Jacob/Jacques Risser and Catherine Roupe/Ruppe/Ruppe of Gosselming. b. about 1759 on farm at Gosselming, d. April 29, 1808 at Bisping

Anne Risser rm. 1 Dec 1800 to Jacob Moser, son of Jacob Moser and Marie Schertz

Their children of Joseph Farny and Anne Schertz are only Rhodes-Bachats Ferme tentatively identified: 1. Marie Farny, b. 1780 d. Oct. 1, 1847 Rhodes is about 36 km from Bistroff and Farm Belgrad at Bisping, Moselle © Donna Schrock Birkey. Used by permission. m. 1799 at Rhodes to Christian/Christophe Suisse, son of Johannes/Jean Suisse

b. 1772 d. July 7, 1861 at Bisping

2. Barbe Farny, b. ca. 1782.

m. 1809 at to Pierre Gerber, widower of Barbe Schertz

3. Anne Farny b. Nov. 30, 1785 at Bisping,. d. after 1856 at Vic-sur-Seille. m. 1810 at Rhodes to Johannes/Hans/Jean Schrag, son of Caspar/Gaspard Schrag and Marie Blaser. b. March 2, 1775 at Bistroff, d. June 10, 1838 at Vic-sur-Seille, Moselle Johannes Shrag’s 1m to Anne Engel (d. Aug. 8, 1809 at Marsal)

The children of Joseph Farny and Anne Risser

4. Joseph Farny b. Jan. 4 or 5, 1793 d. Dec. 1, 1862 at Thuilley-aux-Groseilles, Meurthe-et-Moselle. m. Dec. 24, 1817 at Lagarde Barbe Kennel, a daughter of Jean Kennel and Barbe Schertz b. July 3,1799 at Besseviller Mill at Bénestroff

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d. April 27, 1878 at Vaucouleurs, Meuse,

5. Catherine Farny b. June 5, 1794 d. Oct. 16, 1854 at Saint Benoît-la-Chipotte, Vosges. m. April 4, 1816 at Gosselming

Jean Mayer, son of Christian Mayer and Madeleine Zehr

6. Nicolas Farny b. April 22, 1796

7. Peter/Pierre Farny, b. Dec. 16, 1797 Peter Farny sojourned in Canada; see family chart below d. Dec. 15, 1874 at Montgomery, Woodford County 1m. July 23, 1826 at Bisping Anne Kempf, dau. of Christian Kempf and Anne Pilmann [Bielmann] of Bisping. b. Oct. 12, 1805 at Rhodes, d in 1840 at Montgomery 2m Nov. 12/20, 1841 in Woodford County Magdalena Oyer, dau. Joseph Oyer and Catherine Schrag b. Aug. 31, 1805, d. March 28, 1888,

8. Christian Farny Christian Farny sojourned in Canada; see family chart below b. June 3, 1800 at Bisping (civil record) May 15, 1800 (family record) d. Apr 3, 1882 1m. Feb. 14, 1824, in Lancaster County Anna Mosimann, b. ca 1803 (other records say that Nancy Yotter was the first wife) d. June 8, 1840 2m. June 14, 1840. in McLean County (only six days later after first wife died) Magdalena Strubhar, dau. of Pierre Strubhar and Madeleine Abresol/Habresol b. ca. 1804

THE CHRISTIAN FARNI FAMILY

AND NANCY (YOTTER) AND MAGDALENA (STRUBHAR)

There are a number of discrepancies between the research of Lorraine Roth and Joseph Peter Staker. We have tried to mesh the two sources of information for the family Charts of Christian Farni and Peter Farny

Christian Farni, son of Joseph Farny (1748-1800) and Anne Risser b. 15 May 1800, Bisping, Muerthe d. 1 Apr 1880/82, bu. Fairmont Cemetery, Butler Co., KS m. before 1825, probably in Pennsylvania 2m. 14 Jun 1840, McLean Co., IL Nancy Yotter, d. after 1838, Illinois (some records say Anna Mosiman was the first wife) Magdalena Strubhar, b. 22 Feb 1808, France d. Feb 1883, b. Fairmont Cemetery, Butler Co., KS

Children to first marriage: 1) Joseph Farni, b. 22 Feb 1825, Pennsylvania or Canada (10) d. 24 Apr 1916, Whitewater, Butler Co., KS 1m. Dec. 9, 1852 Catherine Smith, dau. of John Schmidt and Barbara Schwartzentruber b. 1833/34 in Wilmot, Ontario d. 1880/87 in Kansas

2m. Mary ______b. Feb. 1827; immigrated from Germany in 1874

2) Anna Farni, b. Feb. 6, 1826 (1826), Wilmot, Canada d. 29 Sep 1908, Butler Co., Kansas (Sept 29, 1903 in California)

m. Joseph Ropp (1821-1890), son of Andreas Ropp and Elizabeth Eymann

3) Barbara Farni, b. 7 Jun 1829, Wilmot Township, Canada d. 18 Jan 1911, (Jan 25) Gray Co., Kansas m. Feb. 8, 1852 in Woodford County - 14 - FARNI

Joseph Yotter, son of Shem Yodder and Byler

4) Christian Farny b. Feb. 10, 1831 (handwritten note says he died at age 10)

5) Catrina Farny, b. Jan. 1, 1834; d. July 23, 1841

6) Johannes Farny, b. May 3, 1836; d. May 8, 1836

7) Peter Christian Farni, b. Feb. 11, 1838, Woodford Co., IL [enlisted as a private in Eureka in 1862] d. Feb. 28, 1924 in Nevada, Story Co., Iowa m. Aug. 23, 1883 to (Anna) Virginia ‘Jennie’ O’Neil (1847-1917)

Children to second marriage: 8) Johannes Farny b. Mar. 30, 1841 d. Aug. 26, 1841

9) Jacob Farni, b. Aug. 31, 1842, d. 1889 Butler Co., Kansas

m. May 27, 1869 to Mary Kehr (1851-1901)

10) Christian Farny, b. Nov. 11, 1844, d. Dec. 15, 1845

11) Daniel Farny, b. Oct. 18, 1846, d. Sept. 3, 1847

12) Mary Farni, b. Oct. 18, 1849, d. Feb. 27, 1852

The 1850 census of Montgomery listed 2 children in the household of Christian Farny and Magdalena Strubhar who are not listed above: Andrew, 19, born in France and Magdalena, 9, born in Illinois. Since the lists above were verified against Christian’s handwritten list in his Bible, it is possible the two were adopted or relatives.

1) Andrew Farni, b. Feb. 10, 1831 Wilmot Township Andrew went to California when he was 17 years old, and remained there 14 years

d. 6 May 1867, Woodford Co., Illinois

2) Magdalena Farni, (1841-1924) m. John Smith, b. 1839? in Wilmot Twp., Canada son of John Schmidt and Barbara Schwartzentruber)

THE PETER AND ANNE (KEMPF) FARNEY FAMILY

Peter Farney, son of Joseph Farny (1748-1800) and Anne Risser b. 16 Dec 1797, Bisping, Meurte, France (Roth) 19 Dec 1797 (Serpette) 1m. 23 Jul 1822, Bisping (Serpette) 23 Jul 1826 (Roth) Anne Kempf, dau. of Christian Kempf and Anne Pilmann/Bielmann of Bisping b. 5 Jan 1802, Rhodes, Moselle (Roth) 5 Jan 1803, Rhodes (Serpette) / Oct. 12, 1805 (Staker) d. before Nov 1841, bu. in Slabtown Cemetery, Woodford Co., IL 2m. 20 Nov 1841, Woodford Co., IL Magdalena Oyer dau. of Joseph Oyer and Catherine Schrag b. Aug 31, 1805 d. Mar. 28, 1888

1) Anna Farney, b. 8 Jul 1827/29, Gosselming d. July 9, 1897 1m. John Oyer (1818-1872), son of Joseph Oyer and Catherine Schrag 2m. Joseph Rediger (1826-1904), Benjamin Rediger and Barbara Ehresman

2) Catherine Farney, b. 1 Nov 1828, Gosselming, Moselle d. Mar 28, 1868 at Groveland

m. John Spring (1817-1819), son of Christian Springer and Suzanne Farny

3) Christian Farney, b. 26/27 Apr 1830, Gosselming

m. Catherine Oyer (1833/34- ) dau. of Jacon Oyer and Elizabeth Mosiman

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4) Barbara Farney, b. 28 Mar 1831, Pennsylvania (Aug. 1831- Staker) d. May 9, 1912

m. John Raeuber (1828-1926) son of Sebastian Räuber and Margaretha Schepflin

5) Mary Farney, b. 1 Jan 1832, Canada (perhaps Woolwich Twp.) d. Mar. 24, 1908

m. John Stalter (1828-1911)

6) Susanna Farney, b. 20/30 Jan 1834, Woolwich Township, Canada d. Oct. 16, 1876

m. David Oyer (1830-1891) son of Joseph Oyer and Magdalena Litwiller.

7) Peter Farney, b. 3/8 Jun 1835, Canada (perhaps Woolwich Twp.), d. July 9, 1903 Hutchison, Kansas 1m. Barbara Nehauser (1837/45-1871); a daughter of Valentine Neuhauser and Elizabeth Schertz

2m. 1874 Barbara Rediger (1853-1927);a daughter of Jacob Rediger and Veronica 'Fannie' Schmitt.

8) Lydia Farney, b. 4 Feb 1837, Woodford Co., Illinois; d. Oct. 21, 1901 m. Christian Feicht (1822-1908)

THE JOSEPH FARNEY FAMILY OF LEWIS COUNTY, NEW YORK

The Joseph Farney family of New York is closely connected to two prolific families in the Amish Mennonite community of Upper Canada, the John and Elizabeth (Gerber) Jantzi family and the John and Magdalena (Nafziger) Gerber family. Joseph and Catherine Farney left Le Havre, France, and arrived in New York on June 4, 1834 on the Ship Groton, accompanied by Catherine's widowed mother, her sister Elizabeth married to John Jantzi, and her brother John, who would marry Madaleine/Magdalena Nafziger, daughter of Christian and Marie (Jantzi) Nafziger. Though the Joseph and Catherine (Gerber) Farney family settled in New York State, Catherine’s siblings and mother resettled within a few years in Canada on adjacent farms located on the northern edge of Wilmot Township.

Joseph Farney, son of Jean/John Farny (d. 17 Sep 1830, ) & Marie Schertz b. 26 Apr 1795, perhaps at , Moselle, France d. 18 Apr 1873, New Bremen, New York m. 20 Apr 1816, Farebersviller, Moselle Catherine Gerber, dau. of Jean Gerber and Madeleine Gerber b. 12 Feb 1796, perhaps at Valette, Moselle d. 25 Mar 1849, New Bremen, N.Y. Joseph Farney, 2m. to Barbara (Mosimann) Zehr, b. 1791, St. Quirin, Moselle d. 27 Oct 1868, New Bremen, N.Y. Children; A. Jean/John Farney, b. 29 Apr 1817, ______France; d. Feb. 7, 1881, New Bremen NY m. 1841 to Anna Zehr, dau. of Michael Zehr and Anna Jantzi

B. Marie Farney, b. 4 July 1818, Barst, Moselle, France; d. Feb. 5, 1895

m. ca. 1833 to Christian Hirschey, son of John Hirschey and Barbara Guirich

C. Joseph Farney, b. 5 Dec 1819, Barst, Moselle, France; d. Mar. 27, 1885, New Bremen, NY

m. 1846 to Barbara Zehr, dau. of Michael Zehr and Anna Jantzi

D. Pierre/Peter Farney, b. 19 Apr 1822, Barst, Moselle, France; d. Oct 10, 1889, Richey, MO

m. 1845 to Susan Naftziger, dau. of Christian Naftziger and Mary Zehr

E. Madeleine Farney, b. 5 Feb 1824, Barst, Moselle, France; d. Oct. 16, 1890, New Bremen, NY

m. 1846 to Andrew Virkler, son of Rudolph Virkler and Anna Breckbeil

F. Christian Farney, b. 11 Nov 1826, Barst, Moselle, France; Jan. 11, 1902

m. 1850 to Magdalena Kieffer, dau. of Christian Kieffer and Catherine Hirschey

G. Catherine Farney, b. Dec. 13, 1836, New Bremen, NY; d. May 31, 1893, New Bremen, NY

m. 1859 to John Herzig, son of Jacob Herzig and Mary Beer

H. Andrew Farney, b. Jan. 17, 1838; d. Jan. 17, 1838 - 16 - FARNI

The underlined names in the of the Joseph and Catherine (Gerber) Farney family (above) are found in the French records. A full family history and genealogy of this Farney family, and it is large, and the related Virkler and Zehr families has been published. (15) Using this publication, we have added death dates, names of spouses, etc. It is not known where the oldest son John was born, but the next five children were born at Barst, Moselle (Lorraine).

NOTES:

1) For more on this Jantzi family, see the JANTZI file as well as the following publications: a) "Introduction: The Jantzi / Yantzi / Yancey Family, from Lorraine, France to Lewis County, New York and Ontario, Canada, with smaller contingents soon moving on to Iowa and Illinois" by Lorraine Roth. Waterloo, Ontario, 1991. b) The Family History and Genealogy of Joseph and Catherine (Boshart) Jantzi . . . by Ruth Yantzi Ryan and Lorraine Roth. Kitchener, Ontario, 1982.

2) Because of the discrepancy in birthdate between the one used by the family and that of Peter, the son of Michel Zehr and Madeleine Farny and the lack of other documentation, I have been somewhat hesitant to accept this Peter as the “Dr. Peter Zehr” who became an immigrant to Canada. We had been “up the wrong family tree” for 30years on Barbara Roth., Peter Zehr’s wife, that I wasn’t about to climb up another wrong tree. Finding Madeleine (Farny) and Joseph Risser (by a second marriage ) on the ship passenger list, along with the Peter Zehr family, and my old notes from a conversation with the granddaughter of Peter and Barbara Zehr, indicating that Peter’s mother and stepfather probably accompanied them all the way to Canada, have finally removed the reservations.

3) Anne Farny, b. 25 May 1793, Belgrad, Bistroff (civil record) dau. of Anne Farny, dau. of Anne Hirchy, age 48, widow of Christian Farny (no death for this Anne Farny was found) Anne Jantzi, b. Apr 1795 (family record) (the birth of Anne Jantzi has not been found in the civil records) Anne Farny Jantzi would not have named a second daughter Anne if the first one was still living; so I suggest either of two possible scenarios: a) Anne Farny, born before the legal marriage of her parents in 1794, became Anne Jantzi after her parents' marriage in 1794, and her birthdate should be corrected from 1795 to 1793. b) Anne Farny died before the birth of Anne Jantzi, place and date unknown. Anne Jantzi's birthplace and therefore her civil record of birth have not been found. When Anne Jantzi married in 1811, her age was given as 16, which would confirm this second possible scenario.

4) German researcher Hermann Guth recorded Catherine Farny's marriage but failed to indicate where it took place.

5) Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois, 1829-1929, by Harry F. Weber. Mennonite Historical Society, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, 1931, pages 83-85.

6) According to a note on Film C-2032 -- Upper Canada Land Petitions, No. 42 -- copies of letters at end of section -- this petition was for reasonable terms. a) According to my notes made in Ottawa (RG 5, A1, Vol. 94, #52844 & 45, the letter was addressed to the Canada Company asking for the price of land. Perhaps these settlers composed two letters the same day, one addressed to the government or college, the other to the Canada Company. b) For a more comprehensive study of the early settlement of Wilmot Township, see The Amish and Their Neighbours, The German Block, Wilmot Township, 1822-1860 by Lorraine Roth. Waterloo, Ontario: Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, 1996.

7) Three items concerning Christian Farni appear in the Upper Canada Land Petitions W/18, RG1, L3, Vol. 533(a), No. 180 as follows:

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a) Jacob Erb certified that Christian Farni was the rightful owner of Lot 11, south side of "Mittel Street" of the Township of Wilmot, (Snyder's Road was often referred to as the Middle Road or Street), on September 3, 1833. b) Half the patent fee, L1.9.4 (1 pound sterling, 9 shilling, 4 pence) was received on September 5, 1833. (The front 50 acres of the settlers' lots were free, but they had to pay the patent (deed) fee. c) Christian Farni of the Township of Woolwich, farmer, made Affirmation of Allegiance, Dundas, September 5, 1833 (Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance was required in order to become a land owner.)

8) The story of the Farni/Farney brothers has been well discussed in the following papers by Steven Nolt: a) "Farnisville as Frontier: An Illinois Amish Mennonite Community as Metropolitan Hinterland," an unpublished essay prepared for a seminar entitled "Frontier and Environmental History" at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, 1994. b) "Amish Mennonites and the U.S. Supreme Court: 110 Years Before Yoder" by Steve Nolt in Mennonite Historical Bulletin, July 1995. c) "The Rise and Fall of an Amish Distillery: Economic Networks and Entrepreneurial Risk on the Illinois Frontier" by Steven M. Nolt in Illinois Mennonite Heritage, September 1995

9) Genealogical information on the families of Christian Farni and Peter Farny was received from Steve Estes, letter dated 29 July 1995, and from family lists compiled by Ardys Serpette, received in August, 1999. a) See also "Peter and Christian Farny: From France to Illinois" by Ardys Serpette in Illinois Mennonite Heritage, Summer 2000. In some cases my research in the records of Bisping and those of Ardys come up with differing dates. I have given both dates, indicating which are mine and which are hers. b) (A photocopy of this article is found in the FARNI file in the Conrad Grebel Archives, Waterloo, Ont. )

9a) The information for the family chart of Joseph Farny of Bisping was from the research of Joseph Peter Staker in Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County, Illinois [compiled by BWJ]

10) The birth place for Joseph is given as Canada, but if the reference to the Christian Farni family's arrival in Canada in 1826 is correct, then Joseph's birth place is Pennsylvania. Perhaps Anna was born in Pennsylvania as well.

11) The Zehrs, Rissers and the Farnys sailed from Le Havre, France on the Ship “Formosa”, landing in New York on December 28, 1835. National Archives, Washington, D.C., Microfilm Series M-237, Roll #28.

12) For more details on the Dr. Peter Zehr family, see "Introduction: Zehr Immigrants to Canada and Lewis County, New York" by Lorraine Roth. Waterloo, Ontario, 2003, pages 23-36. A portion of the ship passenger list is reproduced on page 24.

13) The John Forney family traditions do contain a number of details which are found to be correct -- Marie Farney as the mother of John, for example. Since Marie was a servant and the birth took place in Joseph Risser's home, it is possible that Joseph was the father, and John may have been informed that he was. Joseph Risser did register the child's birth but did not identify himself as the father. John did not "take" his mother's name -- it was given him at birth. a) Another set of traditions are found in First Forney Family Record, by Mildred Forney Anderson, Flanagan, Illinois, 1948. (photocopy in FARNI file)

14) For a genealogy of the Joseph F. Lichti family, see Our Family Tree [by Carol Lichty Miles, May 1992]. She also included a great deal of Lichti family background -- but not much Farney.

15) For the Farneys of Lewis County, New York, see Genealogies of Three Large Families of Lewis County, New York . . . Farney . . . Virkler . . . Zehr by Mrs. Ira G. Farney, Julius Farney, and Mrs. Urban Karcher, [2nd edition] two volumes. Castorland, New York, 1989. The Farneys are found in Volume I, pages 21-752.

Lorraine Roth Tavistock Ontario January, 2010

~ Updated with new research and reformatted by Bruce W. Jantzi, 2017, and April 2020

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