Agnes Josephine Beicher ^{2 3 4 5 6}

   Another name for Agnes was Agnes J. Biecher.⁷

   FamilySearch ID: L6RT-MRG.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Census in 1900 in Cornwall Twp., Lebanon, PA. ⁴ Reuben Beecher [census taker's handwriting could be Bucher], laborer furnace, 37, was born May, 1863. He was married for 12 years to Emma, 32, born Oct 1867, who had given birth to seven children, four still living in 1900. In their home: Priscilla G., 11, Jul 1888; James A., 6, Mar 1894; Agnes J., 1, Aug 1898; and John R., 7 months, Oct 1899. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania. Reuben was renting his home.

2. Census in 1910 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ³ Reuben Bucher [census taker's handwriting could easily be Biecher instead of Bucher], laborer in iron works, 47, was married for 26 years to wife Mary, 43. She had given birth to 10 children, 7 of whom were living in 1910. Also in their household: Priscilla, machine operator in shirt factory, 21; James, barber, 16; Agnes, 13; John, 10; Joseph, 8; and Helen, 7. Also in the home was Gertrude Kauffman, granddaughter, 4. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania as were their parents.

3. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: Police Looking For Two Girls, 1 Jun 1911, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁰ ---
Police Looking For Two Girls
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Irene Whelpley and Agnes Beicher Are Missing
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Last Seen of Them Was on Sunday -- Believed To Have Left City
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Chief of Police zimmerman and his assistants on the local force, together with the city and county constabulary, are making a search for Miss Irene Whelpley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Whelpley of Second Avenue, near Second street, "the Heights," and Miss Agnes J. Beicher, daughter of Reuben Beicher, of 364 North Prune avenue, both of whom have been strangely missing from their homes ever since Sunday last. It was a first thought by the parents that one of the girls was spending the time at the home of the other, and later it was thought that they might be staying with other friends in the city. Neither of these conjectures could be substantiated, however, and the aid of the police was finally enlisted to find them. The strictest search failed to locate them in the city, however, and the parents as well as the police are now confirmed in the belief that the girls have gone away.
There was a rumor abroad that the girls were seen driving with two young men on Sunday, but this story could not be verified, and Chief Zimmerman is reported to have said today that he is of the opinion that they were tired of life here for the time being and went away on a trip, from which they will return in good time. The girls bear good reputations and the parents are naturally overcome with anxiety.
The exact details of the departure of the girls could not be learned, as the police would give no information concerning them, having been evidently pledged to secrecy by friends of the girls. It is known, however, that the last seen of them was on Sunday when, they left their homes ostensibly to attend vesper services in St. Mary's Catholic church. They were not seen late. One of them is also reported as having said to friends that she intended leaving the city.

4. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: Missing Girls Return Home, 2 Jun 1911, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹¹ ---
MISSING GIRLS RETURN HOME
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Left City Sunday Night For Reading To Seek Employment
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BOTH DENY RUMORS
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Are Satisfied With Their Experience and Want No More
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Irene Whepley, the fourteen year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Whelpley, of South Second street, "The Heights," and Agnes J. Beicher, about the same age, daughter of Reuben Beicher, of 364 North Prune alley, who were mysteriously absent from their homes for several days, and whose absence caused their parents much alarm, are both back at home and their absence is fully explained.

ONLY AN ESCAPDE.

The whole affair is said to have been nothing more 'than a juvenile escapade, which is much to be regretted, and which is yet likely to prove a salutary lesson to both of the direlicts.

WENT TO READING.

The girls attended services at St Mary's church on Sunday and later quietly slipped away. With the youthful idea that earning their own living was totter than staying at home, they set out for Reading on Sunday night, determined to secure employment.

ENGAGED AS CLERKS.

Seeking shelter with charitably disposed housekeepers, whose sympathies they enlisted, the girls reached their destination in several days, and were not long in seeking engagements at a store at Reading as clerks. They would have started in work on Saturday, but for the interest of Mrs. Whelpley. The latter received a letter from her daughter, stating that all was well, and giving the residence of the girls as 115 North Front street. Mrs. Whelpley refused to be satisfied with such assurances, however, and on Thursday she repaired to Reading, and returned home on the 9.28 train the same evening with her daughter and her friend. Both of the girls were quite satisfied with their experience and willingly returned home.

WHAT IRENE SAID.

This morning the Whelpley girl was seen at her home tenderly nursing her infant sister. She divided her time with the sister and her pretty dolls, as she is only a child. She says she wants no more of life of that kind and will never again let the wanderlust gel the better of herself. Her mother on the other hand, is relieved of the nervous tension which she experienced and is resting easy again with the knowledge that her daughter escaped the snares which beset the path of most thoughtless youngsters who are tempted to such follies.

RUMORS DENIED.

The Beicher girl is also at home, and there is rejoicing in the family for it was feared that dire things might have happened to the daughter. Absolute denial Is made of the rumor which became current on the streets after their disappearance, and at this home, too, it is the hope that the experience will prove to be a valuable lesson.

5. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: New members confirmed today at St. Mary's Catholic church: John Biecher, Agnes Biecher, 14 Dec 1911, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹²

6. Residence: Lebanon City Directory: 364 N. Prune Al. Beicher, Reuben, iron wkr.; Mrs. Emma M., Priscilla G., James A. Barber, Agnes J., John R., Joseph L., Helen R., Gertrude J. In 1913 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹³

7. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: Miss Agnes Beicher Bride of John Lerch, 9 Nov 1914, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁴ Rev. Father Adam Christ, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, this morning performed the marriage ceremony of Miss Agnes Beicher, daughter of Reuben Beicher, of 366 Prune alley, this city, and John D. Lerch, Jr., son of John D. Lerch, Sr., of Walter's Park, Berks county. The groom is a bricklayer.

8. Residence: 366 Prune Alley, Lebanon, PA on 12 Aug 1918 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁵

9. Residence: 897 E. Mifflin St., Lebanon, Pa. On 27 Apr 1942 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ¹⁶

10. Cause of Death: acute cardiac decompensation, hypertension, cardio-vasular renal disease, 10 Oct 1947, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁸

11. Obituary: Lebanon Daily News: Mrs. Agnes Lerch, 50, Is Claimed By Death on 10 Oct 1947 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁹ Mrs. Agnes (Beicher) Lerch, wife of John Lerch, of 897 East Mifflin Street, died at 9 o'clock this morning at the family home. She was ill only two weeks. Her death was attributed to a heart condition. She was 50 years of age. She was a member of St. Gertrude's Catholic Church. In addition to her husband she leaves four children -- John, Paul and Elizabeth, wife of Paul Grill, all of Lebanon, and Mary, wife of Lloyd Houser, of Bethel; thirteen grandchildren; brothers, John, James and Joseph Beicher, of this city; a sister, Helen, wife of Andrew Winkler, and a niece, Gertrude, wife of Wayne Rudy, of Cleona.

12. Residence: 897 E. Mifflin St., Lebanon, PA on 10 Oct 1947 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. ⁸

Agnes married John Daniel Lerch Jr., son of John Daniel Lerch Sr. and Elizabeth Stoudt, on 9 Nov 1914 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA.¹ (John Daniel Lerch Jr. was born on 29 Nov 1891 in Wernersville, Berks, PA,^{15 16 17 18} died on 5 Jun 1969 in Lebanon, Lebanon, PA ^{5 18 19} and was buried on 7 Jun 1969 in Lebanon: Holy Cross Cemetery, Lebanon, PA ¹⁹.)