John Ulrich Frideger

John Ulrich Frideger 1823 - 1899
John Ulrich Frideger was born in Switzerland on August 22, 1823. John's parents were Hans Ulrich Freudiger and Elizabeth Felber. Hans and Elizabeth had nine children that survived infancy.

The Swiss were quite fond of certain names. As such Hans and Elizabeth named two sons Johann Freudiger. To distinguish between the two sons one was named Johann Ulrich Freudiger.

For the first 10 years of his life John lived near Neiderbipp, Canton Bern, Switzerland. As a young boy John playing amongst the crevices while tending sheep in the Alps. Had he fallen into a crevice it's quite likely he wouldn't have been rescued!

John and his family left Le Havre, France on July 7, 1833 bound for America. They sailed onboard the Harriett Gencie. John's grand father who was ill when they started the voyage died and was buried at sea.

John's family settled at Kirkersville in Licking County, Ohio. John's father had intended to journey to Southern Ohio. But was discouraged when he was told that they should have remained in Switzerland. Rather than settle in the Southern Ohio area!

Apparently most of the Freudiger family changed their name to Frideger upon coming to America. Though Frideger family genealogy mentions at least one Freudiger who kept the original spelling.

John had one child during his first marriage to Magdalene a son named Abraham. The maiden name of John's first wife is not known at this time.

After his second marriage to Elizabeth Schearer. John moved to Auglaize County, Ohio near Gutman. John and Elizabeth had nine children including Sarah, Samuel, Jacob, Louisa, Sophia, Caroline, John, Fred, and Philip.

John Ulrich Frideger died March 25, 1899. He is buried at Fairmount Cemetery located in Union Twp, Auglaize County, Ohio.