Tombstone Tuesday–Friedrich Becher

Friedrich Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Friedrich Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Friedrich Becher, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. His tombstone is located between the markers of his wife Margaretha and their son John. It is broken and unreadable.

According to Zion’s Family Register in the old church record book, Friedrich Becher was born 9 November 1797 in Schliegenreith [sp?], District Oberfranken, Kingdom of Bavaria. He was the son of Nickolaus & Gertaudt Becher. After his confirmation he stayed with his parents until he was 19 years old, at which time he entered the service/employment. [It is unclear if the record meant he entered the military service or was employed by someone.]

When Friedrich was 33 years old he married Margaretha (Schmidt) Haffner, the widow of Dietrich Haffner. Margaretha and Friedrich had a son Johann, born 20 March 1833. Margaretha had two sons from her first marriage, Conrad and George Haffner.

Friedrich and Margaretha and their children lived in Thuisbrunn for several years before immigrating to America in 1840. They lived in Butler County, Ohio, for nearly a year and then moved to Mercer County.

Friedrich died 25 January 1878 at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 16 days. His wife passed away in 1875.

As noted in last week’s Tombstone Tuesday, the Bechers lived in Black Creek Township, Mercer County. According to the 1853 Mercer County Plat Book, Black Creek Township, p. 305, Friedrich’s 65 acre farm was located in the west part of the southwest quarter of Section 31. His farm was described as excellent land valued at $605. He had 29 acres of plowed land, 7 acres of meadow and a cabin house and barn.

1 comment

  1. These folks lived nearly 200 years ago when transportation was horse and buggy only (or walking). Medicine was handled by the local barber or local wife with most experience. Hosptials, emergency services such as fire departments, ambulances and police forces were non-existent. Everything was local, yet they lived to ripe old age, often longer than our current generations (smoking, drinking and drugs). What have we really gained with our “advanced” civilization and technology?

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