John G. Bicher 1 2 3 4 5
- Born: 8 Aug 1800, Adamstown, Lancaster, PA 4
- Marriage (1): Sarah Elizabeth Sands
- Died: 3 Aug 1851, Jefferson Twp., Franklin, OH at age 50 4
- Buried: Gahanna: Peace Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Franklin, OH 4
Another name for John was John Beecher.
FamilySearch ID: LD9K-S24.
Noted events in his life were:
1. Relatives To Research: please email searchtrees@gmail.com for latest info. John is definitely a grandchild of Johann Engel Buecher L8BC-M4C from whom descend today's Beecher, Bicher, Beacher, Biecher, and Beichers.
He and wife Elizabeth are recorded in records of the Muddy Creek Lutheran Church in East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the baptism record of their daughter Eliza b. 10 Jul 1826. The typewritte transcription of the baptism record has their surname as "Buecher." The sponsor of the baptism is Theresa Fichthorn.
The only other record for them are other references from children's later records. Perhaps John and his wife died before the 1850 census.
Likely the surname is mispelled in 1850 census records, because we cannot find an 1850 census for the parents, nor for sons Henry, William, or Peter, which would provide clarity.
However, we can find enough evidence to reconstruct their family with confidence, as follows.
Son William Bicher/Beicher's marriage record to Phoebe Burgett names his parents as John Bicher and Sarah E. Sands.
Son Peter's Kansas death certificate lists his his birthplace as Berks County, PA. and his father as John Beecher and mother Elizabeth Sands/Sanda/Sauda (handwriting not clear on certificate). For a copy email Jonathan Scott Beacher: searchtrees@gmail.com
The 1860 census in Mifflin Township, OH identifies Peter's siblings, where he is listed a Peter Bigher but we know it's Peter Beecher because his wife and children exactly match his 1870 family and later records in Kansas.
Living in 1860 in Peter's home are John Beecher, 16, and Mary Beecher, 18, too old to be his children so they must be Peter's brother and sister, suggesting their parents died before 1860.
In 1860 next door is Chas. Heyl with wife Eliza, and Charles' marriage and other records idenitfy his wife as Elizabeth Bicher/Beecher b.1827 so she is Peter's older sister.
Charles Heyl is identified as a nephew in his uncle Conrad Heyl's will when he died in 1859 in Mifflin Township, Franklin County, OH. Conrad's will was witnessed by Henry Bicher born abt 1822 in Pennsylvania (see https://searchtrees.com/tree/4449.htm ) indicating Henry is the older brother of Elizabeth Bicher Heyl.
Another valuable clue: Peter Beecher's wife is Elizabeth Ridenour, and in the 1850 and 1860 census other Beechers lived as neighbors to the Ridenour families in Jefferson Township, Franklin, Ohio near today's Beecher Rd. and Ridenour Rd. in Gahanna, OH. Those Beechers are descendants of John Beecher (1757-1819) whose children were baptized in Lancaster County, and then John died in Berks County, PA.
In 1818 Barbara Beecher 2DTP-Q8C arrived with her husband and is buried in Gahanna. Later arrived her brother, William Beecher (1799-1879) LD9K-HDP who in 1850 is in Mifflin Township near George Ridenour, the father of Peter Beecher's spouse.
Barbara and William have a brother John Beecher (1789-1865) LD9K-HHF who remained in Pennsylvania and does not appear to be the John Beecher who married Sarah Elizabeth Sands as he never left Pennsylvania. Therefore, it is like the John Beecher/Bicher we are seeking is not a son of John Beecher (1757-1819) but a descendant of one of his brothers whose father would be the immigrant, Johan Engel Buecher do died in 1778 near Adamstown, PA.
2. Census in 1810 in Cocalico Twp., Lancaster, PA. 6 Peter is indexed as "Riether" due to poor handwriting and appears near other residents of Adamstown with this family:
Males (born)
10-15 (1795-1800) = 2 (sons Benjamin & John)
26-44 (1766-1784) = 1 (Peter)
Females (born)
16-25 (1785-1794) = 1 (Susanna).
3. Census in 1820 in Cocalico Twp., Lancaster, PA. 7 The 1820 Census shows Peter Bicher or Bicker's (handwriter unclear) with:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820)
16-25 (1795-1804) = 2 sons Benjamin & John
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 father Peter
Females (born)
16-25 (1795-1804) = 1 daughter (Magdalena)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 wife (Susanna)
Peter's neighbors are Steofel Kern, Henry Regart, Peter Groff, John Rohrer, Jacob Hemberger, Mary Getz.
4. John was listed on a deed on 3 Oct 1838 in Columbus, Franklin, OH. A deed, executed on October 3, 1838, formalizes a land transaction between the grantor (seller), John Hefer, and the grantee (buyer), John G. Bicher, for property located in Franklin County, Ohio. The transaction was conducted within the local German-speaking community, as evidenced by the main text of the deed being recorded in the German language (and later translated for the county records in Book I, Page 553). The deed specifies the agreed-upon price for the property as 350 Pounds (350 Pfund), paid by John G. Bicher to John Hefer.
The property description in the archaic German script is somewhat cryptic for modern readers, referring to the land as a "Wohn Breißes" (a residential plot or dwelling) and containing "dreißig Zellen 32 Stund" (thirty plots/cells, 32 units). This language indicates the sale of a small, platted parcel, most likely a town lot or a numbered subdivision within a growing settlement. Crucially, the text refers to the location as a "Dorf Ga[n]" (Village or Town Ga[n]). While "Dorf Gan" does not appear as a major settlement name in historical records, the German name, the date of 1838, and the description of small town lots point toward one of the burgeoning German settlements in Franklin County at the time.
Given the timing and location, it is highly probable that this deed relates to the very early development of what is now known as German Village in Columbus. German Village (then known informally as "die alte sud ende," or the old south end) was platted in 1814 and saw a massive influx of German immigration starting in the 1830s. Deeds for this area, which consisted of small, working-class brick cottages built on narrow lots, would naturally have been recorded by and for the German community in their native language in 1838. This deed is therefore a valuable piece of evidence showing a German land transfer that occurred right at the beginning of that neighborhood's substantial growth.
5. Census in 1840 in Jefferson Twp., Franklin, OH. 8 The 1840 census recorded John G. Bisher (indexed as Berker due to poor handwriting)
1840 U.S. Census household
Males (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 1 son (Peter J.)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 son (William M.)
15-19 (1821-1825) = 1 son (J. Henry)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 father (John G.)
Females (born)
5-9 (1831-1835) = 1 daughter (Catherine)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 daughter (Elizabeth Louisa)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 mother (Sarah).
6. Residence: on 3 Feb 1843 in , Franklin, OH.
7. He was listed on a deed on 25 Jul 1849 in , Franklin, OH. 9 John G. Bicher to Frederick Beechtoldt
Know all men by these Presents that we John G. Bicher and Elizabeth Bicher wife of said John G. Bicher of the County of Franklin Ohio, in consideration of the sum of Two hundred and thirty Dollars in hand paid by Frederick Beechtoldt his heirs and assigns forever the following Premises situate in the County of Franklin Ohio, and in the Third quarter of Township two, Range sixteen and lot number five United States Military Lands and bounded and described as follows: Beginning at the Northwest Corner of land deeded by John Haven and wife to Thomas Rees, thence running East ninety Poles, thence South nineteen Poles, and fourteen links, thence West ninety Poles, thence North nineteen poles and fourteen links to the place of beginning. Containing eleven acres, being the same lot that was deeded to Isaac S. Browning by Thomas Rees and wife by deed dated November 18, 1840, and deeded by said Isaac S. Browning and wife by deed to John G. Bicher dated November 2$, 1848. To have and to hold said premises with the appurtenances unto the said Frederick Beechtoldt his heirs and assigns forever. And the said John G. Bicher for himself and his heirs doth hereby covenant with said Frederick Beechtoldt his heirs and assigns, that he is lawfully seized of the premises aforesaid, that the premises are free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever, and that he will forever warrant and defend the same with the appurtenances unto the said Frederick Beechtoldt his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.
In testimony whereof the said John G. Bicher & Elizabeth Bicher have hereunto set their hands and seals this 2$th day of July A.D. 1849.
--
Executed in presence of
Samuel Hamaker
M C Kriswender Jr
--
John G Bicher [Seal]
Elizabeth Bicher [Seal].
8. Death Certificate: Son Peter's Kansas State Certificate 218 1065, 16 Jun 1924, Arkansas City, Cowley, KS. 2 Place of death: Cowley, Arkansas City, 509 North 5th Street.
Name: Peter Beecher
Residence: 509 North 5th Street
Male, white
Widower
Wife: Elizabeth Ridenour
Date of birth: Oct 14 1831
Age 92
Occupation: carpenter
Birthplace: near Reading, Penn.
Name of father: John Beecher
Birthplace of father: U.S.A.
Maiden name of mother: Elizabeth Sauda (poor handwriting could be Sanda or Sands)
Birthplace of mother: U.S.A.
Informant: G. A. Beecher, 509 N 5th, Arkansas City
Filed: 6-16 1924 by C. A. Snyder
Date of death: Jun 13 1924 3:30 PM
Cause of death: chronic nephritis about 2 years
Clarence Zugg M.D.
Burial: Arkansas City June 16 1924
Undertaker: J H Oldroyd.
John married Sarah Elizabeth Sands. (Sarah Elizabeth Sands was born in , , Pennsylvania, USA.)
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