Elias Bicher ^{1 2 3 4 5}

   Other names for Elias were Eli Bicher,¹ Eli Biecher ⁸ and Elias Bucher.⁶

   FamilySearch ID: MGBV-LTD.

  Christening Notes:

The sponsors were John and Maria Bucher. His baptism appears in the personal register of Rev. Traugott F. Illing. Illing's record pertains either to the Bangor Episcopal Church in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, or Forest or Allegeheny Lutherans churches in Berks County near the Lancaster County line, all of which Illing served at this time.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1800 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ⁹ The 1800 census records Henry Beeker (the census taker's handwriting isn't certain) living in Brecknock Township with a household consisting of:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 1 son John
10-15 (1785-1790) = 1 son Elias
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 father Henry
Females (born)
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 wife Susanna
Listed nearby are surnames that marry into our Buecher families: Frey/Fry, Kern/Kearn, Good. Listed next to Henry are Peter Fanckhauser Sr. and Jr., Joseph Bechtel, John Lesher and George Wright.

2. Court: Orphan's Court on 27 Mar 1804 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ⁵ John Beecher a minor son of Henry Beecher and grand son of Christopher Kern late of Brecknock township deceased by his late wife Susanna Beecher, a daughter of the said Christopher Kern deceased being above the age of fourteen years, comes into court and chooses his father Henry Beecher of the same township, Guardian over his Estate during his minority -- The Court approve of and appoint the said Henry Beecher his Guardian accordingly.
The Court appoint Henry Beecher of Brecknock township Guardian over the estate of Elias Beecher a minor son of the said Henry Beecher, and grand son of Christopher Kern late of the same township deceased by his late wife Susanna Beecher, a daughter of the said Christopher Kern deceased during his minority -- he being under the age of fourteen years.

--------------- Research notes-----------------
Obviously the court recorder's record is confusing in that the order of the record sounds like Susanna Beecher was Christopher Kern's wife, not his daughter. But it gives us valuable information. Susanna was "deceased" by early 1804 meaning after birthing sons John and Henry Bicher (aka Beecher) Susanna died, likely while giving birth to Elias or a 3rd stillborn child. Following her young death, the record suggests that her children lived with her father Christopher Kern until his death, at which time the court appointed the children's father Henry Bicher (aka Beecher) as the guardian. Sadly, we know from Henry Buecher's bible that he died five years later in 1809, when son John was 18 and son Elias 12.
This explains why we only find two surviving children for Henry Buecher/Bicher, John and Elias.

3. Census in 1830 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁰ The 1830 census recorded Elias Buchard (sic) with this household:
Males (born)
30-39 (1791-1800) = 1 father Elias
Females (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 2 daughters
5-9 (1821-1825) = 1 daughter
20-29 (1801-1810) = 1 mother.

4. Mortgage: Lebanon County Book A, Page 664 on 12 Apr 1839 in Lebanon Township, Lebanon, PA. ¹¹

5. Census in 1840 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹² In 1840 the household of Elias Beacher was listed with:
Males (born)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 Elias
Females (born)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 2 daughters
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1 daughter
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 wife.

6. Census in 1850 in S. Lebanon Twp., Lebanon, PA. ¹³ Elias Bicher, 52, laborer, is living with Barbara, 51; John G., 25, laborer; Susanna, 23; George E., 7 months old on 17 Aug 1850 when the census was recorded. All were born in Pennsylvania.

7. Census in 1860 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁴ Elias Biecher, age 63, farmer, is listed as the head of a household that included only his wife, Barbara, age 61. Both were born in Pennsylvania.

8. He was employed in 1868 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁵ Business Directory of Lebanon County (1868-69):
Biecher, Benjamin, auctioneer, 413 Walnut
Biecher, Elias, shoemaker, 20 S. 7th
Biecher, William, tinsmith, 127 S. 9th
Biecher, Miss Eliza, 424 Walnut
Biecher, Emanuel, blacksmith, 127 S. 9th
Biecher, George, machinist, 722 Walnut.

9. Census in 1870 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹⁶ Elias Bicher, shoemaker, 72, was living with wife Barbara, 72. His real estate was worth $2,400. Also living with them is granddaughter Regena Gilbert, 14, at school. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

10. He signed a will Will of Elias Bicher signed 3 Mar 1873 and recorded on 22 Aug 1873 on 3 Mar 1873 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁴ In the name of God Amen. I Elias Bicher of the Borough of Lebanon in the county of Lebanon and the State of Pennsylvania, being in good health of body and of sound and dispersing mind memory and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit.

First I order and direct all my just debts and financial expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Item I give and bequeath unto my three grandchildren the children of my deceased daughter Susannah who was intermarried with John K. Gilbert each the sum of two hundred dollars to be paid to them respectively in the distribution of my estate after a final settlement, but should they or any of them die without having living issue before said distribution the share of those so dying shall revert to and become part of my estate and shall to my residuary legatee.

And as touching the rest residue and remainder of my estate real personal and mixed of what kind soever and where soever situated shall be held in the trust by my hereinafter named Executors for and during the natural lifetime of my daughter Elizabeth wife of John Ulrich and be safely invested to the best advantage of my estate and the interest to be regularly paid to her as soon as possible after the same shall have been received by him to be for her separate use. So that he said husband shall in no way interfere, and her receipt shall be a sufficient voucher for the payment of the interest, and immediately after her decease the said trust so held by him shall be equally divided among the children of my said daughter Elizabeth their heirs or legal representatives.

And Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my friend Henry Groh, Jr., of South Lebanon Township, said county to be the Executor of this my will and trustee of the residuum of my estate hereby revoking all other wills legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this (3) day of March Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy three (1873).

Elias Bicher (SEAL)

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Elias Bicher as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have in the presence of each other subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

Emanuel Bentz
Adam Gruttinger.

11. Obituary: Lebanon Valley Standard: Died. BEECHER - On the 15th inst., Elias Beecher, aged 75 years and 25 days. On 23 Aug 1873 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁷

Elias married Barbara Bauman, daughter of Johan Bauman and Elizabeth Burkholder. (Barbara Bauman was born on 8 May 1798 in , , PA,^{1 8 14 17} died on 12 Jan 1871 in , Lebanon, PA ^{1 8 17} and was buried in Lebanon: Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, PA ^{1 17}.)