William Beicher Sr. ^{3 4 5 6 7 8}

   Other names for William were William Beacher,¹⁵ William Beecher, Wilhelm Bicher,^{2 3 9} William Bicher Sr.,^{9 12} William Bicker and Wilhelm Bucher.

   FamilySearch ID: KFJM-J57.

  Christening Notes:

Sponsor was Jacob Bicher Sr.

  Burial Notes:

His tombstone reads William Beicher, Jan 25 1811 - Aug 18, 1880 Aged 69 yr 6 mo 24 da.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Alt. Name: Christened as surname Bicher (pronounced like Beecher in PA Dutch county), William's descendants are buried as Beicher or Biecher. We use the name on their tombstone, not birth record., in 1811, in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA.

2. Bible: Family Register in Wilhelm Bicher's bible in possession of John William Beicher, From 1811 to 1860, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ² From the bible of Wilhelm Bicher, translation from the original German:

Wilhelm Bicher was born into this world on the 25th of January, 1811, in the town and county of Libanon, Pennsylvania. He received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend G. Lochman. His sponsors were his grandparents Jacob Bicher and his wife Maria Catharina. He also received the Holy Communion at the appropriate age. He entered the state of matrimony with Sussanna Meyli, in the year of 1831 on the 3rd of May.

This above described Sussanna is a daughter of Emanuel Meily and his wife Elissabeth, born Sped. She was born on the 3rd of October, 1812 in the County of Libanon, Pennsylvania, and received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend G. Lochman. Her sponsors were her father and mother, and she also received the Holy Communion at the appropriate age. And she agreed to tie the nuptial knot with the above mentioned Wilhelm Bicher on the 3rd of May, 1831.

They begotten a child, namely, a son. He saw light of this world on the 17th of January, 1832 and received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend W. Ernst in the course of which he baptized him Johnn Heinerich. The sponsor was his great-grandfather Jacob Bicher.

Once more they begotten a son. He saw the light of the world on the 11th of September, 1834, and received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend W. G. Ernst in the course of which he gave him a name of Wilhelm. The sponsor was his grandfather Emanuel Meily.

Jacob was born on the 24th of January, 1837 and he received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend W. G. Ernst. His great-grandfather Jacob Bicher was the sponsor.

Marian was born on the 2nd of March, 1839 and received the Sacred Baptism from the Reverend Rodroff. The parents were the sponsors.

[Note: another page in the bible has birth records of the later children. These are found in this family tree under each child's listing.].

3. Census in 1820 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁶ In the 1820 census Jacob is indexed as Jacob Beesher (FamilySearch.org) or Jacob Busher (Ancestry.com) in Lebanon in Lebanon County. In 1820 Jacob Bicher Sr. (b.1758) would be 62 and his wife Catherine 73. His son, John Jacob Jr. b.1782 would be 38 except he died in 1812, so Jacob Sr. raised his son's children, who by 1820 would have these ages: Lydia 11, William 9, and Jacob 8. All of these fit perfectly into the Census record found which shows:

Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 2 (grandsons Jacob 8 and William 9)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 (Jacob's son J. William b. 1785?)
45 & over (<=1775) = 2 (father Jacob and ?)
It is not known who the other male aged 45+ was, perhaps a butler, worker or brother-in-law?
Females (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 1 (J. William's daughter?)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 1 (granddaughter Lydia 11)
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 (wife Catherine).

4. Census in 1830 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁷ Jacob Beicher is listed in Lebanon Borough on page 35 in the 1830 Census. Living in the household are:
Males (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 2 great grandsons ?
15-19 (1811-1815) = 1 grandson (William or Jacob?)
70-79 (1751-1760) = 1 Jacob
Females (born)
40-49 (1781-1790) = 1 ?? (Mary Michael?)
80-89 (1741-1750) = 1 wife Catherine

This appears to be the household of Jacob Bucher born 1758. His age would be 72 in 1830, and his wife Catherine 83, explaining the two elderly household heads perfectly.

Since his son, John Jacob (born 1782 who would be 48 in 1830) had died of an accident with a sickle, the 15-19 year old male could be either grandson Jacob (born 1812) or William (born 1811). Likely the older William age 19 was already off living on his own, as was Lydia age 21, and this is Jacob.

The female 40-49 could be Mary Bicher (nee Michael), wife of John Jacob (born 1782), since her husband died in 1812.

5. Alt. Name: in 1832,. ^{9 12} Originally descended from Jacob Bücher, William's children starting in 1832 are baptized under the spelling Bicher in records at Salem Lutheran Church, but his tombstone reads William Beicher when he dies in 1880.

6. Census in 1840 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁵ Jacob Beacher appears in the 1840 Census in Lebanon living alone. His age is in category 80-89 (so he was born 1751-1760).

The next listing on this page is his grandson, William Beacher.
Males (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1
5-9 (1831-1835) = 1
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1
30-39 (1801-1810) = 3
Females (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1
20-29 (1811-1820) = 1
50-59 (1781-1790) = 1
60-69 (1771-1780) = 1.

7. The estate of Jacob Bicher (b.1758) is recorded on 8 Mar 1842 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁸ Jacob died intestate (without will).
Jacob's estate was administered by grandson William Biecher.
Admn Acct B 880
Book B page 530 8 Mar 1842: Letter of Administration
Bond Book 3 page 299 8 Mar 1842
Final account filed 16 Feb 1844
.

8. The grandson of Jacob Beecher (b.1758), Jacob Beecher (b.1812), received $500 to assign his right to his grandfather Jacob's estate to his brother, William. On 4 Apr 1842 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁹ Whereas Jacob Beecher, the elder late of the Borough of Lebanon County of State of Pennsylvania, died intestate leaving certain real estate in the Borough of Lebanon aforesaid, consisting of a house and lot of ground fronting on Cumberland Street in said Borough, bounded on the west, by an alley; on the South by an alley & on the East by a Street. And whereas the said intestate, died leaving no issue besides three Grand Children to inherit same, to wit, William Beecher, Jacob Beecher & Lidia Beecher intermarried with William Meily. Now Know all men by these presents that Jacob Beecher of Centre County & State aforesaid and Angeline his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred dollars, lawful money of the United States to them in hand well and truly paid by William Beecher, of the Borough of Lebanon aforesaid, have remised, released and forever quit claimed and by these presents do for themselves and their heirs remise, release and forever quit claim unto the said William Beecher and to his heirs and assigns forever all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Jacob Beecher and Angeline his wife, of, in or to all that Lot of ground above mentioned with eht appurtenances, To have & to hold the said Lot of ground with the appurtenances unto the said William Beecher, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said William Beecher his heirs and assigns forever. So that neither he the said Jacob Beecher and Angeline his wife, nor their heirs nor any other person or persons, for him or them or in his or their names, or right shall or may by any ways or means, at any time here_after claim, challenge or demand any estate, right, title or interest, of, in or the said lot of ground with the appurtenances or any part thereof, but from all and every action and actions estate, right, title, interest & demand, of, in, or to the premises or any part or parcel thereof, they and every of them shall be forever barred by these presents. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals the fourth day of April A.D. 1842.
Signed, sealed and delivered
Jacob Beecher (signature)
Angeline Beecher (her mark)
In the presence of
Joseph E. Orth when Jacob Beecher signed
John Shindel at do
H. B. Mussina when Angeline signed
Abraham Gingrich.

9. The granddaughter of Jacob Beecher (b.1758), Lydia (b.1809), received $500 to assign her right to her grandfather Jacob's estate to her brother, William. On 20 Jan 1844 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁹ Whereas Jacob Bicher, the elder late of the Borough of Lebanon County of State of Pennsylvania, died intestate leaving certain real estate in the Borough of Lebanon aforesaid, consisting of a house and lot of ground fronting on Cumberland Street in said Borough, bounded on the west, by an alley; on the South by an alley & on the East by a Street. And whereas the said intestate, died leaving no issue besides three Grand Children to inherit same, to wit, William Bicher, Jacob Bicher & Lydia Bicher intermarried with William Meily. Now Know all men by these presents that William Meily and Lydia his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred dollars, lawful money of the United States to them in hand well and truly paid by William Beecher, of the Borough of Lebanon aforesaid, have remised, released and forever quit claimed and by these presents do for themselves and their heirs remise, release and forever quit claim unto the said William Bicher and to his heirs and assigns forever all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of him the said William Meily and Lydia his wife, of, in or to all that Lot of ground above mentioned with eht appurtenances, To have & to hold the said Lot of ground with the appurtenances unto the said William Beecher, his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said William Beecher his heirs and assigns forever. So that neither he the said William Meily and Lydia his wife, nor their heirs nor any other person or persons, for him or them or in his or their names, or right shall or may by any ways or means, at any time hereafter claim, challenge or demand any estate, right, title or interest, of, in or the said lot of ground with the appurtenances or any part thereof, but from all and every action and actions estate, right, title, interest & demand, of, in, or to the premises or any part or parcel thereof, they and every of them shall be forever barred by these presents. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this twentieth day of January Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
Sealed and delivered
William Meily (signature)
Lilian Meily (signature)
In the presence of
Joseph E. Orth
John Shindel.

10. Census in 1850 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁰ William Bicher, age 39, tinner, is living with Susanna, 38; John, 19, shoemaker; William, 17, tinner; Elizabeth, 10; Emelia, 7; Sarah, 5; Emanuel, 2; and Mary Bicher, 70, who we presume is William's mother, nee Michael. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. Their neighbors are Felix Good, 70, and David Carmany, 56.
[Note: Most census indexes list Bicker, not Bicher; the census taker's handwriting can easily be mistaken.].

11. Census in 1860 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁷ William Biecher, age 50, appears in the 1860 Census in Lebanon living with his wife, Susan, age 48; Amelia, 17; Sarah, 14; Emanuel, 12; George, 4; and Mary, 79. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. William is employed as a tinsmith.

12. William Biecher sold to Jeremiah Strayer land adjoining their home on Cumberland Street for $2900. On 5 Apr 1860 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²¹ On 5 Apr 1860 William Biecher and Susanna Biecher of Lebanon Borough sold to Jeremiah Strayer of same place for $2900 a lot from a corner of Cumberland Street and and an alley, along the south side of Cumberland Street easterly 37 feet and six inches to a post, thence along eastern portion of same lot southwardly and parallel to first mentioned alley for a distance of 32 feet, thence southwesterly 137 feet to post on east corner of an old stable on Jail Alley, then along north side of Jail Alley westerly 29 feet 8 inches to a tract, then along east side of the Alley, running north and south between premises of Sol McCaully 198 feet to place of the beginning. Being a part of the same lot late the estate of Jacob Biecher the elder deceased, who died intestate leaving surviving him three children, viz William Biecher, Jacob Biecher and Lydia Biecer wife of William Meily to whom the same came, and in whom the same came vested under the intestate laws of of Pennsylvania. And Jacob Biecher and wife by deed of release dated 4 Apr 1842 in Book B page 184 did grant unto William Biecher and the said Lydia Meily late Biecher and her husband who by deed of release dated 20 Feb 1844 did grant their interest to said William Biecher. Together with all the buildings, houses, stables, improvements, subject to the payment of ground rent and subject to the right of said William Biecher to the use of the well and pump on said premises at all times, this privilege to cease immediately after said Biecher sells the house and ground now occupied by him.
[Research note: this is within SW corner of Cumberland and 7th Streets.].

13. Occupation: Gopsill's Lebanon Directory, 1863-4: Bicher William, tinsmith, Cumberland n Pinegrove; Biecher William, tinsmith, h E Walnut n Chestnut in 1863 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²²

14. William Bicher sold to John Siegrist a lot at Cumberland and Pinegrove on 1 Apr 1865 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²³ On 1 Apr 1865 William Bicher of the Borough of Lebanon and Susan his wife sold to John Siegrist of The City of Harrisburg for $2500 the lot in Lebanon bounded by a stone on the southwest corner of Cumberland and Pinegrove Streets then along the south side of Cumberland Street for 44½ feet to a stone on the corner of lot owned by Jeremiah Strayer then south along said lot 30 ft. to a stone thence 168 feet to a stone on Jail Alley then along Jail Alley east 18 ft. to a stone on Pinegrove St. then along Pinegrove St. northwardly 198 ft to the place of the beginning being a part of Lot 36 in the general plan of the borough, it being the premises of which Jacob Bicher died intestate leaving no issue but three grand children to wit William Bicher (party hereto) Jacob Bicher and Lydia Bicher intermarried with William Meily and the said Jacob Bicher and Angeline his wife by their release dated 4 Apr 1842 did quit claim unto said William Bicher in Miscellaneous Book B page 184 and the said William Meily and Lydia his wife by their release dated 20 Jan 1844 did confirm their title to said William Bicher recorded in Miscellaneous Book B page 300. Subject to payment of ground rents due.
[Research note: this is within SW corner of Cumberland and 7th Streets. Pinegrove St. is 7th Street since that road extends north out of Lebanon as today's State Route 343 known as Pine Grove St.].

15. He was employed in 1868 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁴ 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.

16. Census in 1870 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁵ The 1870 Census in Lebanon lists William Biecher, 58, tinsmith. He is married to Susan, age 57. Living with him is his son, George, 15, who is a shoemaker's apprentice. Everyone is born in Pennsylvania. William had no real estate of value and his possessions were worth $300. The previous census listing is his son, Emanuel.

17. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: neighbors donate food to William Biecher, 22 Feb 1876, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁶ Donation Party.
On Monday evening a pleasant party gathered at a certain house in town and from there proceeded to the residence of Mr. William Biecher, residing on South Ninth street, where they done the grand by presenting to the family a large amount of produce and such things as are required in a large family. The wife has been confined to her bed for many weeks and the head of the family has been for some time out of work, and it was a noble thought which prompted such kindness of heart and such open-handed generosity. The party numbered eight.

18. Census in 1880 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁷ William Beacher, age 70, tinsmith, was living with his wife Susan, 68. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania. The record is in the 5th Ward in Lebanon.

19. Obituary: Lebanon Daily News: George Beicher, an old and esteemed citizen of this place, who has been in feeble health for a long time died during the night. Years ago he was engaged in the tinsmithing business. On 19 Aug 1880 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ²⁸

20. Obituary: Marion Daily Star: death notice for William Beicher on 20 Aug 1880 in Marion, Marion, OH. ²⁹ DIED yesterday morning, at Lebanon, Pa., Thursday. Wm. Beicher, father of George Beicher, the young man at Wm. Fies' furniture store. The deceased died of cancer of the stomach; he was also a brother of mother Meily, dec'd. George received a telegram announcing the sad news, but circumstances are such as to prevent him from leaving here to attend the funeral.

21. Newspaper: Daily News, 24 Aug 1880, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³⁰ An Old Lady's Five Mile Walk.
At the funeral of the late William Biecher in Lebanon yesterday morning, an aunt of the deceased, aged 86 years, was among the mourners, who walked five miles for the purpose of attending the funeral. -- Reading Times and Dispatch.

22. Newspaper: Reading Times, 1 Sep 1880, Reading, Berks, PA. ³¹ Carries his Grandfather's Watch.
David Frescoln Fleming, residing at No. 320 Church street, this city, carries a watch which is 125 years old, and which was left him by his grandfather, William Biecher, of Lebanon, who recently died. The watch was made in London, having been brought from England by Biecher's father. It is a "bull eye" watch, having a solid silver case, and thick crystal which is believed to be as old as the watch itself. On the face of the watch is a fishing scene, representing two fishermen at work -- the one with hook and line, and the other using a throw -net. The watch is in complete running order, and is highly valued as an heirloom.

23. Obituary: Lebanon Courier on 15 Sep 1880 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁴ DIED. Biecher -- In Lebanon, on August 18, William Biecher, aged 69 years, 6 months and 24 days. Buried August 23, on Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

24. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: sale of old Beicher stable, 24 Sep 1880, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³² The old Beicher stable, corner of Walnut and Church alleys, purchased by Dr. S. S. Weiss, is being converted into a coachmaking establishment. The firm that contemplate starting in the business is composed of Frank Reahm, H. B. Mann and Samuel Hocker.

25. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: Carriage Repository., 4 May 1881, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³³ The old Beicher property, corner of Seventh street and Walnut alley, is being converted into a carriage repository by Messrs. Mann & Hacker, who have erected other buildings on the rear of the lot, where they are carrying on the carriage manufacturing business.

William married Susanna Meily, daughter of Emanuel Meily Sr. and Elizabeth Spade, on 3 May 1831 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA.^{1 2} (Susanna Meily was born on 3 Oct 1812 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA ^{2 7 9 11 27 34}, christened in Nov 1812 in Lebanon: Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lebanon, PA,⁹ died on 23 Jul 1883 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA ^{11 34} and was buried in Lebanon: Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, PA ¹¹.)