This is the sixth installment in this series. Click here for the previous installment.
Ursus, also called Durs or Dorsey, was born March 8, 1805, to Christian and Katherina (Nussbaumer) Amstutz in Sigriswil Canton Bern, Switzerland.
His wife, Elizabeth, was born July 24, 1808, to Michael and Barbara (Fuhriman) Neuenschwander in Soncoboz, Canton Bern, Switzerland.
They were married in Switzerland and had 13 children of which, Abraham, Christian A. and Katharina were born in Switzerland. They came to America around 1833 and a year later came to Putnam County where the rest of the children were born.
Five of the children of Ursus and Elizabeth left with their families sometime in the 1880s to go to Indiana. They had already joined the Defenseless Mennonite Church, later called the Evangelical Mennonite Church, and moved to Rossville Buck Creek, Indiana, along with several other families. This area is near Lafayette, Indiana, or east and northeast about 15 miles.
The only family members remaining in this area were Abraham, who married Elizabeth Augsburger and a sister, Elizabeth, married Solomon Lugibuhl. Verena married Christian Kaufmann and they lived in Nebraska.
The other five members also left for Adams County and northeast Indiana area. Further research is needed to identify these families.
The family sheet lists the 13 children and what information is available.
Ursus or Durs/Dorsey Amstutz
Born: March 8, 1805, Sigriswil Chatelat, Canton Bern, Switzerland
Died: Aug. 9, 1859, Putnam County
Buried: Old Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton
Occupation: Farmer
Father: Christian A. Amstutz (1772-1840)
Mother: Katherina Nussbaumer (1773-1844)
Married: Nov. 28, 1829, Switzerland
Spouse: Elizabeth Neuenschwander
Born: July 24, 1808, Soncoboz Canton Bern, Switzerland
Died: Feb. 18, 1889
Father: Michael Neuenschwander (1785-1859)
Mother: Barbara Fuhriman (1784-1850)
Children
Abraham Amstutz
Born: Nov. 29, 1830, Untersitz, Jura Bern, Switzerland
Died: Sept. 28, 1904, Allen County
Spouse: Elizabeth Augsburger
Christian A. Amstutz
Born: May 23, 1832, Chaluet Gem nr Court, Canton Bern, Switzerland
Died: May 4, 1891
Spouse: Marian Nussbaum
Katharina Amstutz
Born: Nov. 12, 1833, Sur le Rocher, Switzerland
Died: Jan. 11, 1901, Berne, Indiana
Spouse: Jacob J. Nussbaum
Barbara Amstutz
Born: March 23, 1836, Riley Township, Putnam County
Died: Dec. 9, 1880, French Township, Adams County, Indiana
Spouse:
Mary Amstutz
Born: July 15, 1837, Riley Township, Putnam County
Anna Amstutz
Born: Aug. 5, 1839, Riley Township, Putnam County
Died: Feb. 23, 1908, Berne, Indiana
Spouse: Peter E. Moser
Jacob Amstutz
Born: April 17, 1840, Riley Township, Putnam County
Died: March 22, 1908, Lafayette, Indiana
Elisabeth Amstutz
Born May 14, 1842, Riley Township, Putnam County
Died: May 14, 1919, Continental, Ohio
Spouse: Solomon Lugibuhl
Rebecca Amstutz
Born: March 16, 1844
Died: May 3, 1914
John Amstutz
Born: Feb. 18, 1846
Died: Feb. 14, 1902, Leo, Indiana
Verena Amstutz Fanny
Born: Jan. 3, 1847
Died Nov. 5, 1928, Seward County, Nebraska
Spouse: Christian Kaufmann
Michael Amstutz
Born: April 16, 1848
Died: Feb. 18, 1910, Lafayette, Indiana
Peter Amstutz
Born: 1853
Died: 1920
