MyIndianaHome.net

"Swiss Census" of Jefferson and Switzerland Counties

The Swiss settlement at Vevay has attracted attention from the first years and remains notable in having given its name to the only Switzerland County in America.
          Vevay was neither the first nor only Swiss settlement from pioneering days and the Swiss had been exporting people around Europe, including the famed Swiss Guard that protected the pope and the royal French family. But that the fact that Swiss brought the cultivation of grapes and production of wine to the frontier made the area more interest to those outside Southern Indiana.
          The Indiana vineyard's founding stems from the dream of Jean Jacques Dufour to establish commercial wine production in the United States, and his book on the subject, "The American Vine-Dresser's Guide," is still well known. The history of this group of immigrants, who settled on the northern banks of the Ohio River, was well documented by Perret Dufour in a series of newspaper articles in the 1870s that has been published and Jean Jacques' own Day Book (largely a cash journal of purchases and payments), which together have been compiled as the "History of the Swiss Settlement."
          However, the records show that Swiss population was much more extensive than just the pioneering families in the Vevay area. The migration of French-speaking families with a variety of origins in continued throughout much of the 1800s as the area, which had connections to other Swiss settlements.
          Various wine Web sites in Kentucky say Jean Jacques was the personal wine maker to the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette's surname was Mottier, and he was reportedly related to the Mottiers who came to Vevay. Whether that is true or not, Lafayette certainly found time to stop in the area on his visit in the United States.
          Jean Jacques Dufour's story began in his Day Book with his departure to the United States on March 20, 1796 from La Harve France, a common point of departure, aboard the brig "Sally," landing in Wilmington, Del., by August 12. His travels took him to Lancaster, Reading, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, Pa., and Baltimore, Md. He made a survey at Cape Girardeau, Mo., reached Louisville on September 14, 1797 and Cincinnati by October 4, and then set out for Lexington, Ky., by October 29. He traveled through Frankfort, Birdstown, Rolling Fork, Greentown, Springfield, Harrodsburg, and Danville, and over the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers as he traded in a variety of goods, including lead, to raise money for the vineyard.
          He moved into the public eye after purchasing land in Fayette County, Ky., in 1796, the so-called First Vineyard, but the enterprise did not live up to expectations from the start. In 1802, Dufour told a visitor to Kentucky, a Frenchman named Andre Michaux, that originally several individuals pledged to raise 10,000 piasters, divided into 200 shares of 50 piasters each, a subscription that was filled.
          However, Michaux wrote “he informed me, that a great number of Swiss had, indeed, had an intention of coming hither, but that as the time for setting off, the greater part of them had changed their opinion, and that the whole colony was reduced to his family and a few friends, in the whole, eleven persons.”
          The difficulties in growing grapes and the lack of interest of the proprietors, is mentioned by this account as a factor in the failure along with "the division of M. Dufour's family, a part of which was on the point of quitting it to settle on the banks of the Ohio." And Michaux hide his opinion that the enterprise's track record did not measure up to its favorable press coverage.
          That family division, of course, was the origin of the Swiss settlement in Indiana.
          There were 17 individuals who left Lausaunne on Jan. 1, 1801: Daniel Dufour and his wife Frances, Jeanne Marie Dufour, Antoinette Dufour, John Francis Dufour, Susan Margaruerite Dufour, John David Dufour, Peter Borally, his wife, name not given, a son Peter Jr., and a daughter, name not given, Philip Bettens, his wife and daughter, names not given, Jean David Morerod, and Francis Louis de Siebenthal and his son John Francis de Siebenthal (Jean Francois). They landed in Norfolk Virginia on May 1801.
          Dufour does not state why additional men, the Siebenthals, Bettens, Morerod, and Gex became involved in the endeavor. But they were admitted as partners. Maybe he needed capital because many so many of the original party backed out. Another unexplained fact is that the 1850 census shows the Peter Borally Jr. was born in Spain. But it could be that Dufour recruited people with expertise in grape growing from a wide area.
          This group would move to Indiana in stages. A biographical sketch of Francis R. Dufour said that his father John D. lived in Kentucky for three years, migrating to Indiana in 1801. Philip Bettens left the First Vineyard for Vevay in 1803, according to Perret Dufour. Perret Dufour, himself, son of John Francis, was born in Jessamine County in 1807 and came to Vevay with his family in March 1809, according to his sketch. Jean Marie Dufour married Jean Francois de Siebenthal and Susanne Marguerete married Elisha Golay in Jessamine County in 1806 and moved to Indiana the same year.
          A handful of documents give an idea of the size of the Swiss population before 1820. A voting list for Jefferson Township (then part of Jefferson County) for an election held the first Monday in November in 1813 at the house of John Daniel Morerod contained the names of the following Swiss who voted: Louis Raymond, Louis Gex, Louis Golay, David Golay Jr., David Dufour, Louis Van Siebenthal, John Francis Dufour, Francis Siebenthal, Lou Oboussier, and Elisee Golay (All names given as spelled on the voting list).
         The 1814 tax list for Jefferson County, which then included the area that became Switzerland County, also showed some increase in the number of Swiss settlers. The Dufours, Charles Murat (probably Muret) Samuel Mennet, Luke Oboussier, Louis Reyreend (probably a bad transcription of Raymond) John Siebenthal (transcribed as John and Thrall Siben) and a Frederick Chemied, taxed for lots in Vevay, who could either have been a German Schmied or French Schmidt, While there is no clear breakdown on those living in different townships, there are contextual clues, and sometimes taxable lots are listed as either being in Madison, Lexington, or Vevay.
          Switzerland County was created in 1814 and, of course, the Swiss settlers disappeared from the Jefferson County records.
          The pace of immigration picked up after 1815. In 1816/1817, the Grisards arrived with a related Belrichard coming a little later, according to Perret Dufour. He continued: "About this period a Swiss named James Bolens came to Vevay bringing with him George Tardy and two or three other men who were not able to pay for their passage," Dufour wrote.
          In fact, it is probably best to talk about French speakers, not Swiss because the censuses show a number of county residents in the mid 1800s as having been born in France. Vevay was clearly a magnet for families from other French-speaking settlements on the American continent.
          Among these were a handful of families from a Swiss settlement in Canada, a story only partly covered by Perret Dufour. Supposedly, these immigrants, including the Simon family, had planned to arrive at a Swiss Colony on the Red River in Louisiana. Dufour says that the Simon family, which had members who arrived later in Vevay, was mistakenly transported to the Red River of the North, which flows from North Dakota north to Hudson's Bay. They eventually moved to Vevay.
          However, it probably wasn't a mistake.
          The obituary of Julia Hombert-Droz, wife of Louis Chetlain/Chatelein of Galena, Ill., (Dec. 5, 1799-Oct. 27, 1887) noted she was born in Ligniere, Neuchatel, and traveled with 200 French Swiss Huguenots under the auspices of Lord Selkirk, who had a controlling interest in the Hudson Bay company and brought Swiss families from Fort Snelling to the northern Red River area.
          After two years, they left for St. Louis, reaching that town in the fall of 1823. The Chatelein family moved on to Galena. Although not mentioned it this account, it seems likely the Simons went on to Vevay. Perhaps Julia had some relations to Zelim Humbert-Droz (the more usual spelling), who lived in Switzerland County, as did an Abraham Chetelin. Another account, by Charlotte Charlotte Ouisconsin Van Cleve, mentioned a card from “Zeller C. Simon, now Mrs. F.L. Grisard, Vevay,” as a daughter of a soldier named Simon who instructed her mother and Mrs. Snelling in French at the Selkirk settlement.
          The only other Switzerland County family that can be connected to this expedition was that of John Aaron Dubach, who was born in Bern, Switzerland, on Feb. 29, 1794. Dubach, his wife Maria Catherine Von Gunton, a Neuchatel native, his parents, and a child reached the northern Red River settlement in May 1821. Maria Catherine left an account in which she said Selkirk described that area “as a land flowing with milk and honey.” Instead, they were forced to survive on fish and roots. Dubach's father, who name was not given, died from eating roots that turned out to be poisonous. In the spring of 1823, they moved to St. Louis, and then moved to Vevay in November 1824, where they met the Simons. The Dubachs would later move to Madison.
          The Simons may have encountered other families in St. Louis that would go to Vevay. A search of the 1850 census for St. Louis on Ancestry.com showed 331 persons who had been born in Switzerland and much of the Swiss immigration was probably early enough the most of their families were represented by members born in the United States.
          One descendant says there is evidence that John Louis Moreillon was in St. Louis briefly, although that could also indicate migration via New Orleans, not from Canada. There was also a large Swiss/French settlement at Gallipolis, Ohio, that was the home of the Sauvein family, which made its way to Switzerland County and there are indications of a few other French speakers who came to Indiana from Gallia County, including the family of Peter LeClerc.
          France was also at least an intermediate stopping point for Swiss families who later moved to America. Jean Jacques Dufour's Daybook shows that in April 1796 and again on August 6, 1806, he lodged with Vincent Dufour in Paris, whom he called "my good friend."
          Switzerland County deeds show that Louis Pierre Gilbert Mosnier (spelling?), "late of Paris," bought land from Luke Gex in Section 22 Twp. 2N Range 3W on June 17, 1824. Charles Muret, who came to Vevay by 1813, had an uncle living at Havre de Grace. Other French natives included Justus Vairin, as proved by his citizenship papers. The 1860 census, which sometimes provides specific birthplaces for immigrants, shows a number of French-born immigrants in the Vevay area, including John Danglade, born in Bayonne, France. There were also the Romerils from the Isle of Jersey and the LeClercs from France via Detroit.
          Of course, the origin of the immigrants is sometimes fuzzy. Records say some were born in France, but other records identify the same people as having been born in Switzerland. But that kind of inconsistency is true of many records of the era.
          Jean Jacques Dufour may also have established relationships through his trading that brought settlers to the Vevay. His daybook shows he had dealings with persons with French-sounding names in the Mississippi Valley and on the East Coast. For example, in 1796, he paid a Mr. Sandos of Philadelphia for watch repairs, possibly the same Phillippe Auguste Sandoz who appointed Daniel Dufour his attorney to sell land in Switzerland County in 1817. Dufour also paid cash to Msrs. Notnagel and Montmolin of Philadelphia on September 27, 1796, the latter of whom may be related to Frederick Montmollin Jr., who purchased lots in Vevay from John Sheets on May 5, 1820.
          In two deeds written in 1833, Daniel Dufour and wife Frances sold land to Daniel, Jeanette, Augustus, and Phillip Raymond, children of Abraham Raymond deceased, formerly of Switzerland. This deed was the result of a bond entered by John Francis Dufour to deliver a title of a lot to James Dalmazzo, who assigned it to John Antoine Dufour, who then transferred it to Phillip Auguste and Ernest Sandoz, who then granted the lot to Raymond. Both the Raymond children and the Sandozes were identified as being of Philadelphia. Abraham Raymond died in 1811, leaving a will in what was then Jefferson County. However, on August 12, 1819, Francis L. Raimond sold land to Louis Gex Oboussier. The deed says this land was purchased by "my father Abram Michael Raimond" from John James Dufour.
          There were also transactions with two New York residents, a Msr. Rossier on July 19, 1798 and again in April 1806, as well as a Madame Roulet in the latter year. Dufour also had business with a Mr. Menard (no first name given), apparently the founder of Kaskaskia, and his daybook records contacts with persons with French names at the French-founded towns of St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, and La Prairie.
         Perret Dufour notes that Samuel Mennet, a member of the original Vevay settlement, was in the United States prior to the Dufours. Other biographical sketches show that the Golays came to New York in 1801, then to Switzerland County in 1804, while the Medarys apparently link to a family that settled in Bucks County, Pa., before the 1780s. The Romeril family originated in Jersey, one of the small French-speaking islands in the English Channel that is owned by England.

The Belle Riviere
The Ohio River, Belle Riviere in French for "Beautiful River" made links to New Orleans and Cincinnati particularly numerous. Both the History of Switzerland County and Perret Dufour's history contain several references to members of the Swiss Colony who flat boated to New Orleans.
          For example, Charles Bettens, son of Phillip, one of the original Swiss Colony settlers, was reported as a flatboat pilot in trade between Cincinnati and New Orleans. Among the Mottier family, John Emanuel Mottier came to Vevay in 1821 while his younger brother John D. Mottier stayed in Switzerland until 1846, moving to Cincinnati, then to Vevay in 1851.
          There was also migration from New Orleans. The Dufour Saga notes Jane Bornard was born in Louisiana and the 1850 census shows a sprinkling of children in the Vevay area who had been born in New Orleans. Similarly, on July 5, 1836, Stephen and Polly Green sold land in the NE1/4 Section 33 Twp. 5N Range 12E to George Anshutz of New Orleans.
          But more Swiss families moved down river than came to Indiana. Amie Dufour, youngest of the Dufour brothers, came to Vevay in 1816 and patented land in Switzerland County in 1820. Amie and wife, Pelagie Partesse, moved to Vermillionville, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, by August 16, 1838, when he sold land to his brother, John Francis Dufour. (Switzerland County Deed Book H p. 239) Another immigrant, Justus Vairin, son of Jean Pierre Vairin, died in New Orleans, according to a deed from Daniel Dufour to John Francis Dufour on September 28, 1838. (Switzerland County Deed Book H p. 262) Perret Dufour also reported that Justus' brothers Augustus and Julius Vairin had moved to New Orleans. A search of the New Orleans telephone directory in 1993 showed a high degree of correlation between names in the Vevay settlement, including seven Vairins and one Siebenthall (with the double ll).
          Connections to Cincinnati were even more numerous, starting even before the Dufours' first vineyard in Kentucky. Jean Jacques' daybook shows that he boarded in Cincinnati with a Mr. Mennesier from October 5, 1797, until later in the month.
          Many Swiss moved to Cincinnati in the 1820s and 1830s. As with the Scottish settlement in the Caledonia area of Switzerland and Jefferson County, there were probably families who quit farming, and moved to cities such as Cincinnati and Louisville to follow commerce.
          But something else was at work. Perret Dufour said that yellow fever hit in 1820 when the town's population had reached 600. “More than one sixth of the population [died] during that summer and fall and Vevay for many years afterward was considered abroad a very sickly place and was shunned by persons seeking a western town in which to settle.” He indicated Vevay probably was no worse than many other towns, but that the reputation stuck unfairly.
          Whatever drove them, the previously mentioned James Bolens lived in Cincinnati when he sold land in Vevay on December 7, 1823. Frederick Deserens, who arrived in Switzerland County in 1804, had moved upstream by May 3, 1833. John D. Mottier came to Vevay in 1821 and moved to the Ohio city by 1846, while Charles L. Muret was in Vevay at least from 1813 to 1826, but eventually settled upriver.
          Evidence of this Ohio Swiss settlement comes in the probate of the estate of Peter Toufly of Cincinnati, administered by Rosalin Toufly on December 18, 1832. Security for the estate was given by a John L. Massard, along with Frederic Diserens (sic), Justus Varvin (probably a bad transcription of Vairin), with Alex Bettews (possibly Bettens) and Camilla (Camille) Agniel as appraisers. Agniel had purchased land from Samuel Mennet in Switzerland County on November 4, 1820 and lived in Kentucky for several years. Peter Toufly who married Charlotte Bettens on July 7, 1821 in Switzerland County, was almost certainly the same man, or closely related.
          Employment in common trades may also have drawn the Swiss to Ohio, as was shown by the 1825 Cincinnati directory, which listed five men as confectioners, apparently operating in three different companies. Toufly (listed as born in Switzerland) and John Richard (born in France) operated at 13 Lower Market. John Massard (born in Switzerland) and Jacob Paysant (born in France) were at 25 Fifth Street, while Peter Lhorton (born in France) was at 111 Main Street.
          It may be that the families, which moved from the Vevay area to Cincinnati, were largely merchants who may have seen no opportunity in southern Indiana besides being put off by epidemics. Certainly, the presence of Julian L. Dennis, born in France and a teacher of the French language, in the 1825 directory points to the size of the French-speaking community there.
          Merchants were often on the move to new cities. Agniel, who appraised Toufly's will in Cincinnati and owned land in Switzerland County, moved to New Harmony, Ind., where he was listed in the 1850 census as was Louis Gex.

A Steady Flow?
The immigration continued through the middle of the century. The Stucy's came from Canton Glaurus in 1849. Julia Benoit was born in Switzerland in 1850, according to a sketch in the History of Switzerland of County. The 1860 census also shows a few young men who were born in Switzerland in the 1830s and later. This later migration seems to have come more heavily from the Cantons of Neuchatel, similar to the origins of the smaller Swiss Community in Jefferson County.
          Many of these families had German sounding names, although several, like Schenck, Kessler, and Siebenthal, seem to have spoken French.
          There is some confusion about the Siebenthals. (The name is generally pronounced Sibbental.) Dufour styled the Siebenthal progenitor as Francis Louis de Siebenthal in the French manner, Siebenthal's name was listed Louis Von Siebenthal in the German manner on a voting in Jefferson Township, Jefferson County, on November 1, 1813. However, the name could have been entered by clerk who made the same error that resulted in the de Buren family being called Van Buren,
          The baptismal record of Jean Francois Siebenthal, son of Francois Louis, on April 15, 1785, in Montreux simply lists the father with those three names and does not use either “de” or “von” although a printed transcription on the page showing the original image, shows “Francous Louis de Siebenthal-Marie Vuichoid.” The French reads Louis Sibenthal du Guessenay habit a Montreux & de Marie Vuichoid sa femme ...”

Swiss and French Immigrants in Switzerland County
Agniel: The first record of Camille Gex in the Ohio Valley area came on Oct. 3, 1811 when a transcription shoed Carnville [six] Agniel of Fayette County married Miss Louisa Gex. Camille Agniel lived in Gallatin County, Ky., when he purchased land from Samuel Mennet on Nov. 4, 1820 in Switzerland County. Agniel was listed in the 1820 census in Port William (Carrollton) Ky., next to Anthony Gex; and then was listed in the 1825 Cincinnati directory as Camil Agniel, born in France. Agniel and his wife, Louise, lived in Cincinnati when they sold land to Francis Chinow (sic Chenaud) in Switzerland County on May 20, 1834. Recorded as Camilla Agniel, age 76, born in France, he was listed in Harmony, Posey Twp., Ind., in 1850. In 1860, Camille, age 86 born in France, and Louise, age 68 born in Switzerland, were listed in the east half of ward 16 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Daily Commercial reported that Camile Angiel died on Oct.18, 1861 at 88 and that Louise Agniel died on July 15, 1861 at age 71.

Amiet: Albert, age 42 born in Switzerland, was listed in Patriot in the 1860 Switzerland County census. His daughter Sophia, age 18, was born in Switzerland, son Albert, age 15 in New York, and daughter Eliza, age 6, in Indiana.

Amstuth: Frederick Amstuth, age 25, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. He was listed in a hotel owned by William Moore.

Baddeau/Badoux: James Baddeau, age 61 born in Switzerland, was listed in Patriot in the 1860 Posey Township census. Lewis Badoux was a Civil War solider from the county, as reported by the History of Switzerland County. This was probably James' son Louis, age 20 in 1860, who had been born in Switzerland.

Badollet. John Badollet witnessed an 1815 agreement involving the sale of a lot by John James Dufour, with John Francis acting as his agent. The name has a French construction.

Bellons: Andrew Bellons was a member of an 1824 squirrel hunting party listed by Perret Dufour. An Alexander Bellons (?), age 55 born in Switzerland, was listed in the poor house in Jefferson Township in the 1860 census. The name might have been French.

Benoit: Francis Benoit, age 32, was born in Garde, France, according to the 1860 census for Jefferson Township. Frank (probably Francis) married Julia Tardy on Sept. 28, 1871 in Switzerland County. Julia Benoit, age 32, born in France, was listed in Jefferson Township in 1870. Julia Benoit, possibly Francis's widow, married Nicholas Hirtz in Switzerland County on Dec. 18, 1871, according to the History of Switzerland County.

Belrichard: A Belrichard, first name unknown, moved to Vevay about 1817, then later to Louisville, according to Perret Dufour. Dufour also said that Belrichard was a brother-in-law to Frederick L. Grisard Sr. John H. Belrichard was listed in the 1820 Craig Township census, and was one of those owing the estate of John Louis Siebenthal in a list returned on May 26, 1823. Henry Belrichard (probably the same as John H.) and wife Susannah, as listed in the body of the deed, sold land to Lewis Peter Liestere on Dec 7, 1824 in Switzerland County. Despite the Anglicized names in the deed, the couple signed as Jean Henre Belrichard and Susette. Perret Dufour said that Belrichard moved on to Louisville, after a few years, and died there.

Bersot: Julius Bersot, age 46, was shown as born in Switzerland in the 1850 Carroll County census. Another Julius Bersot, age 46, was listed in the Switzerland County census for 1880, which showed him as born in Kentucky with both parents having been born in France. Ellanora Bersot, the 17 year-old daughter in his household, was shown as having been born in Kentucky with both parents having been born in France. An Ancestry.com family tree shows the immigrant ancestor as Ami Bersot (April 15, 1790-1860), who was born in Brenets, Neutchatel, Switzerland) Julius Bersot (Nov. 10, 1803-April 21, 1875), was born in Brenets, Neuchatel. Ami's mother was Juliet Humbert-Droz and his grandmother was Jean Marie Humbert-Droz. These trees have no suggestion these women were related to Zelim Humbert-Droz of Switzerland County, but it seems possible they were. Ami married Emily Guinand, who was born in 1778 in Brenets, Neuchatel. She died in Kentucky where she was a member of the Ghent Baptist Church.

Bettens: J. Phillip Bettens lived in Chatelard, district of Vevey, Canton de Vaud, where his daughter Charlotte was born on July 14, 1798, according to a descendent. J. Phillip left Switzerland for the first Vineyard in 1801. He came to the Vevay area in 1803, according to Perret Dufour. His full name was John Francis Phillip Bettens, and his wife was named Rose Massard, according to a descendent. Phillip Bettens and Rose his wife quit claimed their interest in some land in Switzerland County in 1819. He was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Philippe wrote his will on March 8, 1843 in Switzerland County in French. It was recorded on July 28, 1851. Bettens died on his farm near Vevay and his wife died few years after him, according to Perret Dufour. He was listed in the 1850 census for Jefferson Township, age 76, born in Switzerland. Alexander, age 44, and Amelia Bettens, both born in Switzerland were listed in his household. A Louisa, age 23, who was born in Kentucky, was also in the household. Amelia married Hugues Long Duplan on July 3, 1824 in Switzerland County. She was listed in her own household in 1880 in Jefferson Township. Phillip Bettens Sr. lived Jan. 24, 1774-July 24, 1851, according to his tombstone in the Vevay Cemetery. Rose, consort of Phillip, was born in Vevey, Switzerland, and lived Aug. 11, 1768-Jan. 3, 1846. Alexander Bettens, born in Indiana, boarded at H. Brachmann's in Cincinnati, according to the 1840 city directory.

Blanc: John Louis Blanc purchased land from John Francis Dufour on Feb. 1818. John was listed in the 1820 census for Vevay. John L. Blank was shown as owing the estate of John Louis Siebenthal in a list returned on May 26, 1823. John L (or F.) was shown in the 1830 census. Frances Elizabeth wife of Daniel Dufour was the daughter of Perret Louis Blanc of Chateland & Vevey, according to a Switzerland County deed, dated Jan. 1, 1822, that says their marriage occurred at Plancher de Montreux, Vevey.

Bocquer: (spelling?) Boneface Boquer, age 30, was born in Switzerland according to the 1850 Switzerland County census. It's a very French-sounding name, but I have not found him or persons of this name in other censuses.

Boisseaux: (Boisseax, Bosaw), Joseph and John Boisseaux were listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. John purchased land from Charles F. Kreutz on Nov. 21, 1820. John and his wife Barbara sold land to John Louis Chaudet on Aug. 27, 1825. On April 3, 1823, James F. Bolens was granted letters of administration the estate of John Pernet. The 1830 census listed Jacob, John, and Joseph in Switzerland County Census. Joseph married Rose Abby on Aug. 24, 1825 in Switzerland County. They were of Swiss origin, but they emigrated before the Dufour colony.

Bolens: James Bolens moved to Vevay about 1817, according to Perret Dufour, who listed Bolen as Swiss. He married Julia Pernet on Dec. 21, 1818 in Switzerland County. James was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. James Bolens and his wife, Julia, sold land in Switzerland County to David Samuel, David Emanuel, and Susan Marie Pernet on Nov. 4, 1821. The couple had moved to Cincinnati by Dec. 7, 1823 when they sold land in Switzerland County. A James Bolens, age 55 born in Europe, was listed in the 1850 census for Jefferson Township.

Bona: Rudolph Bona, age 50, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1860 census. Perhaps this is the same name as Bonner, but spelled phonetically? Perret Dufour said that Robert and Francis Bonner lived in Vevay in 1818/19. Robert was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census.

Borally: Peter Borally, his wife (name not reported), their son Peter and a daughter, name not given, left Switzerland with the Dufours on June 1, 1801. He came to Indiana from the First Vineyard in Kentucky. Perret Dufour said Borally died from the effects of a kick by a horse “a few years after coming to the country”...and that his widow lived to be very old. Peter Daniel Borrally of Garrard County, Ky., purchased a lot in Vevay from John Francis Dufour in 1819. The was probably Peter Jr. as Dufour said that Peter Borally Jr. died in 1864 “on the old homestead in Garrard County, Kentucky,” Dufour said, which suggests he stayed near the First Vineyard, or returned there. Dufour said Peter Srs' daughter married man name a Mayfield who moved to Monroe County, Ind., where she died. On June 23, 1816, Jean Jacques Dufour directed that Mr. Ducret, a schoolmaster at Cherney in Switzerland, should deliver 1,000 livres to “Marie, the widow J. Danl. Borally.” J. Daniel's relationship to Peter Borally is not known, but should be suspected. Peter Borally, presumably Jr., was listed in the 1850 Garrard County census, age 53, as having been born in Spain.

Bornard: Andrew Bornard was a member of the militia in Vevay about 1818/19, according to Perret Dufour. Jane Bornard, born in New Orleans, in died Vevay; her sister Eliza married George Dufour. The 1850 census showed that Andrew Bornard was born in New York.

Borrel (Burrell etc.) Henri Borrell came to Switzerland County from Couvet, Neuchatel about 1820, according to Perret Dufour. His son, Ulysses, bought land in Switzerland County on March 7, 1834. A descendant says he married Rosalie Courvoissier. Another listed her name as Rosalie Courvoisier Piot, which would indicate she had been previously married. Nancy Borrell Spouse Name: John C. Flinchbaugh Marriage Date: 30 Nov 1854

Bowman: Leon Bowman filed his intention to seek citizenship in Switzerland County on April 24, 1828. He swore that he was age 56, born in Canton Luzerne, and that he arrived in Philadelphia after three years on a British man of war. John and George Bowman were listed in the 1820 Jefferson Township census. But it is not known if they were Swiss Bowmans. Elizabeth Bowman was listed in Cotton Township in 1840.

Bractchie. Mary Bratchie married David Gaudin on May 10, 1825 in Switzerland County. A John Bratchey, age 41, who was listed in Louisville in 1850, was born in Switzerland. It's possible Mary was also Switzerland. This is probably the Swiss surname, Bratschi.

Buchard: Frederick Buchard was a Civil War soldier from Switzerland County, according to the History of Switzerland County. This was possibly a French name, but more likely German.

Buchetee: J.F. Buchetee was a teacher in Vevay in 1811/12, according to the History of Switzerland County. Possibly a French name.

Bullett: Charles Bullet, age 33, was born in Brescon, France, according to the 1860 census for Jefferson Township. He was a sculptor listed in the household of John Salve/Salre. There was a Charles Bullett, age 34 who was born in France, listed in Cincinnati in the 1850 census.

Buren: Daniel Buren, who lived July 5, 1780-July 8, 1844, was buried in the Vevay Cemetery. A cemetery transcription by Wanda Morford shows that he was born in Scotland, but someone scratched that out and wrote in Switzerland. He and Phillip Schenck patented the E1/4 Section 29 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 22 Oct. 1817. The transcriber showed a John James as a third party to the patent, probably Dufour.

Carteron: Francois (Francis) Carteron wrote his will in Switzerland County in French on Oct. 10, 1818. He left one dollar to the poor of Jefferson Township and named his wife Mary Sorrat (spelling, Serrat, if the first letter is an S?) and his three brothers-in-law, Leonard, Pierre and Jean Sorrat. His wife was the executor. An English translation followed the French original.

Chatlene/Chetelin: Abraham Chatlene, age 52, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Jefferson Township census, with the 1860 census showing he was born in Bern. The inscription on his tombstone in the Vevay Cemetery shows he lived 1796-1892. It seems possible Abraham was related to Louis Chetlain (probably the more usual spelling) of Neuchatel who married Julie Humbert-Droz of Ligniere, Neuchatel on Dec. 5, 1799. This couple moved to Lord Selkirk's settlement along the Red River of the North where the family met Zellie Simon, who came to Vevay in 1823. John Chatelin, age 43, was born in Ohio and his father was born in Switzerland, according to the 1880 census for Vevay.

Chaudet: A shoemaker named Chaudet was in Vevay in 1825/26, according to Perret Dufour. Frederick Chaudet was listed in the 1820 and 1830 Switzerland County censuses. Frederick married Polly Punch on May 4, 1820 in Switzerland County. Then, Frederick (the same man?) married Isabella Rose on June 15, 1822 in Switzerland County. Frederick Louis Chaudet filed force divorce on July 2, 1824 stating that he had married Abby Rose in May 1822 and that she had abandoned him in May or June, committing adultery with John Boisseau "and divers others …" Frederick Chaudet was shown as owing the estate of John Louis Siebenthal in a list returned on May 26, 1823. He was listed in Switzerland County in 1830. John Louis Chaudet purchased land from John and Barbara Boisseau on Aug. 27, 1825. He lived in Louisville on Oct. 21, 1837 when he sold land to James Dalmazzo.

Chinnaud/Chenaud: Frederick Chinnaud, age 76, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. Lewis, age 39 in his household, was born in France. Frederick was in Switzerland County by May 29 1815 when John Nighswonger and John Fluegel owed him money. Louis Chinnaud was born in Selle, (sp?) France, according to the 1860 census. Louis was age 60 in 1870.? On Feb. 1, 1854, Francois and Rose Chinaud were listed as not being residents of Indiana in a legal advertisement stemming from a suit by Robert Knox. Louis Chinaud was also a defendant in what was described as a civil action. I

Claub: Casper Claub, age 31, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1860 census for Posey Township.

Cler: John D. Cler advertised in a Vevay newspaper on Sept. 15, 1824 that his wife, Madame Cler, had deserted him for Michael Routien. The advertisement was transcribed by Perret Dufour. Jacques Clerk or Clerc was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Samuel Cler and wife, Fanny, sold land to Charles Krutz April 18, 1835 The use of the phrase Madame Cler sounds like a phrase an English speaker would not use.

Costo: Adolph Costo, age 8, was born Louisiana, according to the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. The name is possibly Costeau or a similar spelling.

Courvoisier: Benoit Courvoisier filed his intention to become citizen in Switzerland County on April 19, 1827. He gave his age as 32 and said that he was born in Canton Neuchatel and migrated to the United States in 1807 or 1817. (The transcription is unclear). He purchased land from Francis Louis Raimond/Raymond in Switzerland County in January 1822. Benoit married Augustine Thiebaud on May 1, 1827 in Switzerland County. Benoit and wife, Augustine, sold land to Frederick Deserent (sic Dieserens per the deed) on Dec 19, 1827. Augustine, age 43, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Jefferson Township census.

Danglade: John Danglade, age 57, was born Bayonne, France, according to the 1860 Jefferson Township census. Switzerland County deeds show that his full name was John Louis Armande Danglade. John Baptiste Danglade (1802-1882) was born in Francis and died in Switzerland County, and is buried in the Vevay Cemetery. He was the son of Jean Baptist Danglade and Marie Lissabe, according to a family tree posted on Ancestry.com. He was listed in the 1825 directory for Cincinnati as a cabinetmaker born in France.

Dautel: James Dautel, age 35, was born in France, according to the 1860 Posey Township census. He was listed in Patriot. This is probably a German/Alsatian, not French Swiss name.

Diemiller/Deanmiller: John Diemiller, age 46, was born Switzerland, according to the 1870 Vevay census; His son John, age, 15 was born in Ohio, daughter Elizabeth, age 9, was born Indiana. John H. Diemiller (1854-1916), buried in the Vevay Cemetery was probably the 15-year old in this census.

Debetaz: Daniel Debetaz owned a house on Main Street, Vevay, and then moved to New Castle, Ky., according to Perret Dufour, who gave no dates, Daniel Debetaz was listed in the 1820 census in Vevay. John Francis Dufour was granted letters of administration on the estate of Daniel Debetaz on Sept. 26, 1820.

Demans: Possibly a Swiss name, listed by Perret Dufour.

Deseren/Dieserens: Frederick Dieserens purchased land in the Swiss Colony in 1802. He came to Vevay in 1804, according to Perret Dufour. His lot in the company holdings in Indiana was shared with Frederick Louis Raymond, although no reason for the combined ownership was cited. On Nov. 24, 1814, letters of administration on the estate of John Lewis Dieserens were granted. In 1816 or 1817, Francois Lewis Dieseren came to court and proved he with "a brother and heir of the deceased and together with sundry other brothers and sisters" produced a release a release of rights from the others heirs, who were not mentioned by name. Francis Louis patented the SW1/4 Section 18 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 11 Dec. 1816. Frederick and Francis L. Dieserens were both listed in the 1820 census for Jefferson Township, with John D. in Cotton Township. Francis Louis and wife, Jeanne Louisa Susanne, sold land to John Gabriel Tardy on Aug. 31, 1824. Both Francis Louis and Frederick moved to Cincinnati; Francis by May 11, 1836, and Frederick, by July 16, when they each sold land to Louis Emil Witel. Moese Dieserens (French accent over first e) committed suicide at John Francis Siebenthal's farm, according to Perret Dufour. Abraham Diserens married Charlotte Smith on Oct. 18, 1818 in Switzerland County in 1819. Louisa Dieserens, wife of Perry F. Dupraz, died in Switzerland County in 1863. The estate of John Lewis Dieserens, probated in Switzerland County, was listed in the probate book covering 1814 to 1824. It has not been transcribed. Frederick and Henry Diserens, both born in Switzerland, lived on Fifth Street between Main and Walnut, according to the 1840 Cincinnati directory.

Despouys. (Possibly an alternate spelling of Dupuis) Jean Despouys reassigned title to a lot to Philipe August Sandoz and Ernest Sandoz in 1817. The agreement was written in French. The sale bond, dated 1816, involve the sale of the lot from John Francis Dufour to John Dalmazzo who reassigned the title to Despouys (also in French).

Detraz: Daniel Detraz and his wife Jeanette left Havre de Grace with their sons John, Benjamin, Francis, Abram, and Louis in 1817. Abram and Louis were his sons by his first wife, Jeanette, according to descendants. In 1817, Jane Detraz was granted letters of administration on the estate of Daniel in Switzerland County. Phillip Bettens was her security. Perret Dufour, not giving his first name, said “the old man” drowned in the Ohio River while bathing. Daniel married Jeanne Francoise Delavaux (29 March 1766-25 Apr. 1798), who was born in Villette, Grandvaux, Vaud, Switzerland, and died in Vevey. He m. 2nd on Feb. 2, 1806 in Vevay, Jeanne Siegrist (21 Aug. 1776-12 July 1849), who was born in Thone, Bern, Switzerland, and died in Switzerland County, Ind. She was buried in the old Republic Cemetery. John Detraz filed his intent to become a citizen on Oct. 15, 1827 in Switzerland County. He listed his age as 36. He swore that he was born in Canton DeVaud, and that emigrated to the U.S.1817. Benjamin Detraz, granted citizenship in Switzerland County on Oct. 17, 1827, swore that he was born in Canton DeVaud and that his family came to Vevay 1816/17. John patented NW1/4 Section 19 Twp 2N Range 3W on 26 July 1817. John Detraz sold land to Jeanne Detraz on May 5, 1818. John Detraz (1789-Dec. 1875) was born in Switzerland and died in Switzerland County. He married Charlotte Bettens on Jan. 5, 1820 in Switzerland County. John was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. John, age 60, and Charlotte, age 50, born in Switzerland, were listed in the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. Abraham Datraz, age 43, and Lewis, age 41, were listed in Craig Township in the 1850 census. A descendant gave Daniel's birth date as 1761 in Canton deVaud. Benjamin Detraz (Nov. 10, 1792-before 1870) was born in Chatelard, Vevay, Canton de Vaud and died in Vevay, according to an Ancestry.com family tree. He m. Lucille Margarite Morerod, who was born on Oct. 11, 1806.

Devans: Jannette Devans married Gabriel Tardy on May 8, 1819 in Switzerland County. Tardy is a proven Swiss immigrant and her name sounds French, but more information is needed.

Droz: Frederick Droz and wife, Charlotte, sold land in Switzerland County on Jan. 3, 1825. He was probably Frederick Droz, a watchmaker, listed as born in Switzerland in the 1825 directory for Cincinnati. He was possibly related to the wife of Zelim Humbert-Droz.

Dubochet. Susan Marie Dubochet married Jean Jaques Dufour on 28 Feb. 1777 in the church at Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland. The marriage record gives her as the daughter of Jean Pierre Dubochet at Chomex (the writing is difficult to read.) She did not come to the United States but was the ancestor of the Dufours who did.

Duflon. Simon John Duflon witnessed a bond that was reassigned from James Dalmazzo to Antoine Guibert dated 1817. The name sounds French.

Dufour: John Frances took the oath of citizenship in 1813 Jefferson County, and died in Switzerland County in 1850. Daniel died in Switzerland County in 1854. John David died in Switzerland County in 1845. Jean Marie married Jean Francois de Siebenthal in 1806 in Jessamine County, Ky., moved to Switzerland County in 1806, and then died in Cincinnati; Antoinette, who married Jean Daniel Morerod also married in Jessamine County in 1806, then moved to Vevay, and died in 1857 near Vevay; Susanne Margarette, who married Elisha Golay, died near Vevay in 1866; Aime came to Switzerland County by 1818 when he acquired land from his brother John James. Aime moved to New Orleans then to Vermilionville, La., by 1838, and was still living there in 1869. Jean Marie Dufour, was born on May 4, 1779 in Sales, Commune du Chatelord, Vaud, and died on Feb. 8, 1857 in Cincinnati.

Duleine: The name has a French feel. William R. Duleine married Mary Louisa Golay on July 7, 1817 in Jefferson County. Or is this the Irish name, Delaney?

Duplan/Duplain: Hugues Long Duplain married Amelia Bettens on July 3, 1824 in Switzerland County. Francis and M.L. Duplain/Duplaine were Civil War soldiers from Switzerland County. An Ancestry.com family tree shows he was born in Grenoble France and died on June 4, 1833 at his residence in New Orleans. In the 1850 census, Amelia, age 44, was listed in the household of her brother Phillip Bettens in Switzerland County. Their daughter, Rose Long Duplan, married Charles Norizez on Sept. 15, 1853 in Switzerland County. She was probably the Rosanna Duplant, age 19, listed in the household of Margaret Wiley in Jefferson Township, Switzerland County, in 1850. Their son, Melchior, age 32 born in Louisiana, was shown in Vevay in 1860.

Dupraz: Perret (Perry) Dupraz, who was born in Switzerland, died in Switzerland County in 1838. Perret Francis Dupraz married Louisa Deserens on March 26, 1835 in Switzerland County. Letters of administration were granted to Phillip Schenck of the estate of Peter Francis Dupraz on Oct. 25, 1836. Peter may have been a clerical error, written instead of Perret.

Dupout: (name not legible), Aristides Dupout, son of "Dupout of Louisville" according to the deed, purchased lots in Vevay on March 15, 1838. A very French-sounding name, is it actually Dupont? A Susan Dupont, age 57, was listed in Louisville in 1850 as a widow born in Switzerland. She was listed immediately after a Daniel Raymond, age 54, who was born in Switzerland.

Dutoit: Eugene Dutoit, who patented land in the SW1/4 Section 21 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 6 Nov. 1817, was granted citizenship granted in Switzerland County on Oct. 17, 1827. The citizenship record says he was from Canton DeVaud. He was listed in the 1830 Switzerland County census, as was John Dutoit. Lydia Dutoit purchased land from Samuel Mennet in Switzerland County on May 1, 1819. Charlotte Dutoit (1809-Dec. 24, 1875) married Phillip Bettens on Apr. 2, 1830 in Switzerland County. She was listed in his household in the 1860 census for Jefferson Township, which gave her as age 48, born in Switzerland. She was buried in the Vevay Cem. The Dutoits moved to Dayton, Ohio, after about 20 years. Records quoted on the Vaud message board on RootsWeb.com show the full name of Eugene was Charles Eugene Louis Gabriel Dutoit, son of Mr. Marc Philippe Dutoit of Lausanne and Moudon, professor of literature, and of Dame Sabine Secretan, his wife. Eugene was born July 23, 1793, and baptized by his parents on August 12, 1793. He married Lydie Detrey at Granges on April 1, 1816. She was the daughter of Counselor Detrey of Payaerne in Lausanne. Lydia's mother was Isabelle Fivat. The couple baptized a son, Philippe Isaac Marc Francois on March 27, 1817. He was born on March 11.

Emery/Emory: John E. Emery, age 40 a carpenter, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Jefferson Township census. His apparent wife Mary, age 40, and daughter, Allis, age 17, were also born in Switzerland. He was probably the J.E. Emery, age 45, a carpenter born in Switzerland, who was listed in Louisville's third ward in 1860.

Flotron: Francis L. Flotron, a silversmith, came to Vevay in 1819/20, according for Perret Dufour. Francis Flotron was listed in the 1820 Craig Township census. Francis Flotten (per a transcription) was listed as owing the estate of John Louis Siebenthal in a list returned on May 26, 1823. The only Flotron marriage in Indiana before 1850 was that of Justine Emily Flotron to Louis Brevet in Floyd County on Oct. 18, 1827, but as a number of the Vevay Swiss moved to the Louisville area, it is possible these Flotrons were connected.

Foulon. A deed from Peter Harris to Henry Stout involved a deed in Jacksonville to be reassigned to Mical Foulon. The bond was dated 1816. Foulon sounds French.

Frottonbaugh: Jacob Frottonbaugh, age 42, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1880 census. His wife, Anna, age 52, was also born in Switzerland. (The transcribed ages need to be rechecked.)

Gasard?: Could this be a bad transcription of Massard? Trosset Gasard married Louisa D. Morerod on Sept. 4, 1851 in Switzerland County, according to a transcription on the Internet.

Gaudin: The spelling of the name varies widely in the records, but Gaudin is the most common form. David Gaudin was identified as "formerly of Monmer" of Canton de Vaud in a deed from Louis Gex Oboussier dated Aug. 21, 1820. He was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census as David Gaddoin. David's will was written on Apr. 27, 1847 in Switzerland County and recorded on May 20, 1847. It was witnessed by Jacob Rochat. Mary Gaudin, age 56 in 1860 was born in Berne, according to the census. David Gaudin married Mary Bratchie on May 10, 1825 in Switzerland County.

Genrut, Joseph Genrut, age 47, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1880 Switzerland County census.

Georgel: Francis Joseph Georgel wrote his will on Nov. 20, 1846 in Switzerland County, and it was recorded on Nov. 25, 1846. The executors of the will were Frederick L. Grisard and Perret Dufour. His tombstone in Vevay Cemetery shows he died Nov. 23, 1846, age 52 years, and was a native of France. Francis L. Georgel married Nancy Pickett on Nov. 17, 1846 in Switzerland County.

Gex: Louis Gex purchased land in the Swiss colony in 1804. A Switzerland County deed, written on Aug. 20, 1819, showed him as formerly of Vevey, Switzerland. He was listed in Vevay in the 1820 census. His wife Marianne was listed various deeds in 1820s in Switzerland County. He was called Louis Gex Oboussier after the Swiss style. Victory Helvetia Gex married Justi Vairin in Switzerland County on December 9, 1817. He was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census as Lucien Gex. John A. Gex, a farmer of Gallatin County, Ky., born Feb. 15, 1819, was the son of Anthony Gex, a native of Switzerland. Anthony was born about 1794 and came to Vevay about 1812, according to John's biographical sketch. Anthony moved to Gallatin County by Feb. 16, 1865 when Nancy Gex married John Floyd. An Anthony Gex married Cyrene Price in the same county on August 11 that year and was listed in 1820 in Port William (Carrollton), Ky., next to Camille Angiel. Louis Gex, moved to New Harmony, Ind., where he died. Agniel also moved to New Harmony. The sketch of John A. says “Louis Louis Gex, came to America about the beginning of the nineteenth century; his father, Anthony, came with his uncle, Luke Oboussier, in 1802. For some years the family lived in Vevay, Ind., where Louis Gex was a merchant. He went to New Harmony, Ind., where he passed the remainder of his days, and his son, Anthony, settled in Gallatin county.” An Ancestry.com posting gives his dates as 29 Sept. 1761-28 Sept. 1845 and says he was born in Lausanne and died in New Harmony. The same source says he m. on 25 Jun 1789. Marguarite Lucille Oboussier, the daughter of Jean Antoine Oboussier and Jeanne Suzanne Daller. She lived March 31, 1790-March 6 1863.

Gilbert James Gilbert, age 43 born in Indiana, was listed in the 1880 Vevay census. The census record says his father was born in France. Is it possible this name was Guibert.

Girard. In his book, the First of the Hoosiers, Reminiscences of Edward Eggleston, his brother and the author, George C. Eggleston, listed Girard as a Swiss family. I have not found anything else, however, that indicates this particular family was from Switzerland.

Golay: David Golay came from Switzerland in 1804, according to Perret Dufour. In a suit, Elisha Golay vs the heirs of David Golay it was stated that David had died on Nov. 19, 1815 leaving as heirs Marianne who married Louis Gex Oboussier, Charlotte who married Jacob Weaver, Fanny who married Zelim Humbert Droz, David Golay, Louis Golay, Frederick Golay, Louis Golay, George Golay, and Henry Golay, and "Your orator" [Elisha], children and heirs. Frederick, George, and Henry were under 21 years of age. On Jan. 3, 1816, the widow of David Golay declined administration of his estate. Elisha Golay was born in Canton Lemann (later known as Canton DeVaud) came from the First Vineyard to Vevay in 1806, according to Perret Dufour. Elisha took the oath of citizenship in Jefferson County in 1813. Louis F. Golay was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. David, age 70 (presumably Jr.), was born in Zurich, according to the 1860 census. Elisha and Louis Golay were listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census.

Goosio: A Peter Goosio was listed in the 1820 census. The name is possibly French.

Grenat (Grennet?): Joseph Grenat, age 26, was born in Valare, Switzerland, according to the Jefferson Township census for 1860. The same census listed Frances, age 53, as born in DeVaud. James L., 42, who born in Switzerland was listed in Posey Township. A Henry in this household, age 14, was born in Switzerland, meaning the family to U.S. after 1844/45.

Grisard: Frederick Louis Grisard filed his intent to become a citizen on Oct. 20, 1828 in Switzerland County. He stated he was age 51, and had been born in Canton Berne. The statement continued that his wife Marion was age 49, and his son Frederick Louis was age 19. Perret Dufour said that the Grisards came to Vevay about 1817. Frederick died in Indiana in 1838, according to an Ancestry.com family tree. It also says that Frederick Junior was born on Aug. 14, 1808 in Canton Berne. He m. on April 18, 1828 in Switzerland County, Zellie Simon.

Gruett: Francis Gruett, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1880 Switzerland County census? Could this be the same name as Grenat?

Guibert: In 1817, John Antoine Guibert, was assigned the bond of John F. Dufour by James Dalmazzo for transfer of a lot in Vevay. He may have lived in Philadelphia as he assigned a bond to Phillip Sandoz of Philadelphia. When Guibert reassigned the title bond to Philipe August Sandoz and Ernest Sandoz, the document was written in French.

Humbert: Zelim Humbert-Droz. Zelim was in Switzerland County in 1816 when he acquired land in Section 28 Twp. 2N Range 3W in 1816. He was listed in Craig Township in the 1820 census and married second, 2nd Marianne Golay, daughter of David (per deed Oct. 5, 1822 Book C page 560). Perret Dufour said this first marriage occurred in Europe, presumably a woman whose last name was Droz. He was listed in Jefferson County marriage records as marrying Fanny Golay on Feb. 3, 1814, presumably the same as Marianne. Humbert died sometime before 28 July 1849

Hummedieu: Samuel and Elisa Hummedieu of Cincinnati sold land in Vevay on Oct. 31, 1835. He was possibly Samuel L'Hommedieu, a saddler, born in New York, was who listed in the 1825 Cincinnati directory. Hommedieu means man of God in French. It is not known if they lived in Vevay.

Ingold: Joseph Ingold, age 21, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Jefferson Township census. He was listed in the hotel of William Moore. The 1860 census for Vevay shows he was born in Bearne (sic), Switzerland.

Jacques: Clark Jacques was listed in Switzerland County in the 1820 census. The name sounds French.

Jain: Benjamin Jain, age 57 was born in Switzerland, according to the 1870 Switzerland County census. In the household was a girl, Mary, age 22, who was born in Wisconsin. Anna Rose Suzanne Jain (1818-1898), dau. of Rev. Marc. Francois Mennet and Mariet of Morges, Switzerland, married Benjamin Jain. He emigrated from Switzerland in 1847, according to information compiled by Carl Martin. A Daniel Jane was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. William Jain, age 26, was listed by the 1880 Vevay census as having been born in New York and his father in Switzerland. Anna Jaine, age 26, a daughter living in Benjamin's house in 1880, was also born in New York. The biographical sketch of Miles Jain, son of Benjamin and Anna, says he was born in Switzerland on Dec. 21, 1839. The History of Colorado, printed in 1919, said they came to New York in 1846, moved to Wisconsin in 1853, and then moved to Indiana a few years later (obviously by 1860).

Kessler/Kesler: George Kessler registered his intent to file for citizenship on April 19, 1827, listing himself as a citizen of Switzerland. He was shown in the 1830 Switzerland County census. In the 1850 census for Jefferson Township, he was shown as age 56. The 1860 census reported he was born in Canton DeVaud. He was listed in Jefferson Township in 1870. George married Eliza Bernard (could this be Bornard?) on Apr. 24, 1823 in Switzerland County.

Kinsey/Kinsi: Victory Kinsey, age 33, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1860 census for Posey Township. He was a cooper living in Patriot. His son John R., age 17, was born in Ohio, and daughter Jennie, age 5, was born in Indiana.

Labart or Laphart.: John Labart, age 42, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. The 1860 census reported that he was born in Luzerne.

Lakenal. Joseph. The book, Immigration into America which was published in 1848, reported the following as taken from the Vevay Register, which it seems to indicate was printed on July 20, 1816. “M. Lakanal, [m. is presumably for Messeur] va distinguished French gentleman, (member of the National Institute of France and of the Legion of Honor, remarkable for his republican principles, has lately arrived here with his family. He has purchased an estate on the bank of the Ohio, two miles above Vevay, on the Kentucky side.” A longer history says he was considered a regicide (responsible for the death of Louis XVIII), who fled France with the aid of Lafayette,

Lami: Susannah Marie Lami, wife of Jean Jacques Dufour, did not migrate. She was cited as mother of Daniel Dufour in a deed in Switzerland County. She died on Oct. 5, 1823 at Montreux. Her brother, Claude Lami, was her administrator.

Landine: (spelling), Marcell Landine recovered a debt from Daniel Dufour March 1819 in Vevay. A French-sounding name.

Lafarce: Anthony Lafarce, age, 41 was born in France, according to the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. A marriage transcription shows that an Anthony Lagare married Phoebe Furnish on May 7, 1836 in Switzerland County. This was probably the same man.

Lavassur. Eugene Lavassur of Cincinnati was assigned land by Louis Emile Weitel of Switzerland County on July 3, 1837. Eugene (Eugenie?) Lavassur was assigned land in Switzerland County by Octavia Weitel on July 3, 1847. The name sounds French.

LeClerc: Lewis LeClerc, age 81 was born in France according to the 1850 census for Craig Township. Robert LeClerc, was born in Detroit of French parents on Aug. 22 1809 (son of Lewis?). Peter LeClerc, who reportedly lived in Switzerland County with his wife Angeline, was in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1803, according to a descendent. Peter LeClerc married Sally Jones in Switzerland County on Oct. 4, 1825. Louis and Peter LeClerc were both listed in Switzerland County in 1830. Robert married Julia Elizabeth Morerod in Switzerland County on Oct. 10, 1832. Peter LeClerc, age 45, born in Ohio, was in a household adjacent to that of Lewis P. LeClerc, age 82, and Angeline, age 65, both born in France, in the 1850 census for Jefferson Township. Robert LeClerc, was born in Detroit, according to his tombstone in Vevay Cemetery, and lived Aug. 22, 1809-July 22, 1856. Levi LeClerc, age 59 in the 1880 census, was listed as having his father born in Switzerland. Peter, age 75, was listed in Craig Township in the 1880 census, which said that he was born in Ohio and that his father was born in Normandy.

Leide: Frederick Leide, age 23 born in Europe, was listed in the house of George Tardy, in the 1880 census. The name could by German or French. However, the Tardy's were Swiss.

Lemient: (spelling?) Frederick, age 68, born in Europe was listed in the 1850 census for Jefferson Township.

Lester: Lewis Peter purchased land from Jean Henry Belrichard on Dec. 7, 1824. (Book B page 564) Day Lester, who was listed in Switzerland County in 1880, was shown as having a father born in Canada. Coupled with the Belrichard connection, it suggests a possible French-Canadian origin.

Linsi: Regala Linsi married Daniel Trafelet/Traflet on March 27, 1856 in Switzerland County. In the 1880 census for Vevay, she was listed as age 44 born in Switzerland, living in Daniel's household. It is unclear if this name is Linsi or a mistranscription of Kinsi/Kinsey.

Madary/Medary: Matthias Medary married Margaret Shaw on Dec. 12, 1826 in Switzerland County and filed his intention to become a citizen on Oct. 21, 1828 in Switzerland County. He swore he was age 33, born in Canton Basle, and that he was 19 when he landed in Philadelphia in 1817. Mathias was listed in the 1930 Switzerland County census. Mathias was listed as age 53 in the 1850 census for Craig Township. The 1860 census for Vevay shows he was born in Basel. A Rudolph Medary was listed in the 1820 census for Craig Township. Mathias Madary, died on Feb. 10, 1880, age 82, according to a transcription of his tombstone in the Vevay Cemetery. Joseph and William Medary, both carpenters born in Pennsylvania, were listed in the 1825 Cincinnati directory. There were Medarys from Switzerland who came to Philadelphia and then to Ohio.

Mairet: Arieste Mairet of New York purchased land in Switzerland County from Lewis and Clarissa Golay on July 19, 1825. The name sounds very French.

Malin. In his book, the First of the Hoosiers, Reminiscences of Edward Eggleston, his brother and the author, George C. Eggleston, listed Malin as a Swiss family. Joseph Malin was listed in Vevay in the 1820 census while Jacob Malin was listed in Jefferson Township. Joseph Malin was listed in Switzerland County n 1830 when the censuses were not broken out. The 1850 census for York Township showed Joseph was born about 1795 in Virginia.

Massard: There were a number of Massard connections to Switzerland County. Jean Samuel Massard married Saranna Marianne Cleu in Switzerland County on Dec. 23. 1821 (The bride's name is from the Indiana Marriage Index and the transcription should be checked. On a search for the groom, the last name is Cleu. Searching for the bride, her last name comes up as Clew. There is a possibility it was Cler. None of these names was represented in the 1820 census). A descendant reported that Rose, wife of Philip Bettens was Jeanne Rose Judith Massard. Rose (Aug. 11, 1768-Jan. 3, 1846) was born in Vevey, Switzerland, according to her tombstone inscription. In December 18, 1832, the probate of the estate of Peter Toufly in Hamilton County, Ohio, listed John L. Massard as a security. A Peter Toufly married Charlotte Bettens in 1821 in Switzerland County, although the widow of the Peter leaving the will was named Rosalin. The will was witnessed by Frederick Dieserens, another former Switzerland County resident. The appraisers of the estate were Justus Vairin, Alex Bettens, and Camille Agniel, former Switzerland County residents.

Matile. David Matile witnessed a title bond that was assigned by Antoine Guibert to Jean Despouys in 1817. The name is probably French Swiss as a Web search shows Matiles who lived in Switzerland, including Neuchatel.

Mennet: Samuel Mennet, who purchased land in the Swiss Colony, patented land in Fractional Section 28 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 8 Apr. 1812. He took a citizenship oath in Jefferson County in 1813 and was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Anna Rose Mennet (1814-1898) wife of Benjamin Jain was a daughter of Rev. Marc-Francois Mennet and his wife Marie Muret of Morges Switzerland, according to information by Carl Martin. No relationship has been stated by other researchers, but the connection to both the Mennet and Muret family is striking. The book, “First Settlers of Ye Plantations of Piscataway and Woodbridge, Olde East New,” written by Orra Eugene Monnette and published in 1930 said that he was born Dec. 20, 1774, the son of Francis Elis Mennet of Lausanne, Switzerland, and his wife, Mrs. Jeanne Suzanne Boiset. It is not known if this indicates she was previously married.

Menola: John B. Menola built a frame house later owned by Julia LeClerc in Vevay, according to Perret Dufour. Was he Swiss?

Mentelle: W. Mentelle witnessed a deed by the Dufours and partners on Jan. 20, 1803 at the First Vineyard. Charles Montelle certified the English translation from the French (presumably he made the translation.) It is not known if the Mentelles came to Indiana. A Victoria Mentelle, age 80, born in France, headed a household in Fayette County, Ky., in 1850. Two younger Mentelle women, Louisa 45, and Rose 40, were both born in Kentucky, so the family possibly had been part of the First Vineyard.

Michaud: Lewis/Louis Michaud patented NW1/4 Section 24 Twp. 3N Range 3W on 19 July 1816. Lewis Michaud died by Sept. 1, 1821 when Phillip Bettens was granted letters of administration. Louis' estate was listed in the probate order book in Switzerland County that covers the years 1814 to 1824. The name sounds French.

Milong: John Milong. He was born in Switzerland about 1777, according to the Craig Township census for 1850. He was listed on the poor farm. The spelling might be Milon, or something similar, since the French palatialize the "on" ending so that it would sound like "ong."

Minola. A title bond that was passed through a series of hands was reassigned by John J. Reed to John B. Minola in 1817. The name is possibly French.

Montmollin: Frederick Montmollin Jr. purchased lots in Vevay from John Sheets on May 15, 1810. He lived in Fayette County, Ky., when he sold lots to John Francis Tardy on May 20, 1835. He was shown in Lexington in the 1840 Kentucky census. There were Montmillins in Neuchatel, according to a Web search.

Moilon. John Louis Moilon was named administrator of Charles Muret on Aug. 23, 1823 in Switzerland County. The name sounds French, although it could be a badly truncated version of Moreillon.

Moreillon (Morella): Jean Louis Moreillon married Genevieve Ranel on July 8, 1817 in Switzerland County. John L. Moreillon patented the E1/2 NW1/4 Section 29 Twp. 3W Range 2N on 8 March 1819. He was probably John L. Morella, age 73, born in Switzerland, listed in the 1850 census for Craig Township, on the poor farm. A Madame Moreillon of Vevey was listed March 26, 1816 in Jean Jacques Dufour's Day Book while he was visiting Switzerland. He purchased a variety of cloth from her. Amet Moreillon, age 73, lived in her own household in Jefferson Township in 1880. A descendant says there is evidence Jean Louis was in St. Louis, Mo. before settling in Vevay. John Louis Moreillon married Priscilla Brisby in Switzerland County on Sept. 23, 1823.

Morerod: Jean Daniel Morerod left Switzerland for the First Vineyard in 1801. He came to the Vevay area in 1803 with Phillip Betten and the two shared a cabin, according to Perret Dufour. His will was written on Feb. 14, 1829 and recorded on Nov. 3, 1838 in Switzerland County. The executrix was his wife Antonia Morerod. Jean Daniel lived Oct. 20,1769-Sept. 10 or 19, 1838, according to his tombstone in Vevay Cemetery. Antoinette lived Mar 8, 1781-Feb. 10, 1857, and was also buried there. Rodolph Morerod, a native of Switzerland per his tombstone inscription, died May 12, 1826, in his 30th year. He was buried in the Vevay Cemetery and his estate was probated in Switzerland County.

Mosnier: Louis Pierre Gilbert Mosnier bought land in Section 22 Twp. 2N Range 3W from Luke Gex on 17 June 1824. Mosnier (spelling uncertain from the written deed) was listed as "late of Paris." Mosnier and wife Francois Julie sold land to Benoit Courvoisier on May 1, 1827.

Mottier: John Emanuel Mottier came to Vevay in 1821 according to his record when he registered as an alien, on March 26, 1823, age 21. His citizenship was granted on April 19, 1827 in Switzerland County. He lived in Cincinnati on July 27, 1834 when he purchased land from Samuel and Fanny Cler. His brother, John D., came to Cincinnati in 1846 and moved near Patriot in 1851. He was probably the John Mottier, age 48, born in Switzerland who was listed in Green Twp., Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1850. Another brother, John Abram, came to the U.S. at an unknown date. The only Mottier marriage in Indiana before 1850 was that of John to Maria Augusta Siebenthal on Apr. 25, 1827 in Switzerland County.

Muret: Charles Muret came to Vevay by 1813, possibly from France since he had an uncle at Havre de Grace, according to Perret Dufour. A biographical sketch of his son Julius N.E. Muret in the History of Switzerland County said that his parents Charles L. and Rebecca (Heady) Muret came to Indiana in 1807. But since the Headys were not Swiss, this statement is suspect. Muret witnessed a deed from Charles Krutz to Joseph Hays in 1818. An 1819 quitclaim mentioned land sold to Charles Muret. He was listed in the 1820 census in Jefferson Township. Letters were of administration were granted on the estate of Charles Muret on 23 Aug. 1823 to John Louis Moilon with Daniel Dufour and Daniel Morerod as securities. On April 27, 1824 when John Francis Siebenthal and wife sold land to his widow Rebecca Muret, the deed said that Charles Muret's father Julius Nicholas Emanuel Muret of Canton DeVaud had paid $400 to Siebenthal for support of Rebecca and their children: John Louis, Maria Jane, Charlotte Louisa, John Stillwell, Nicholas, and Benjamin Muret. Dufour described Charles as a doctor who practiced in Cincinnati, so it is not clear when he lived in the two towns. An Ancestry.com tree shows Charles Lewis Muret (May 10, 1787-Aug. 1823) was born in Morges, Vaud, Switzerland, and died in Cincinnati. His father was given as Jules Nicholas Emanuel Muret.

Oboussier: Luke Oboussier was also among purchasers of Dufour land. He came to Switzerland County 1804, according to Perret Dufour. Since Gex signed his name Louis Gex Oboussier after the Swiss custom his wife was presumably an Oboussier, and therefore was Luke Oboussier's sister. Louis G. Oboussier married Marianne Golay on Jan. 1, 1812 in Jefferson County, making her a second wife. Jean Jacques Dufour's Day Book for July 13, 1806 shows he stayed at a Mr. Obousier's in Antwerp, Holland, which suggests a relationship with Luke Oboussier. Luke, age 65, was listed in Carroll County, Ky., in the 1850 census in the household of James and Felicia Cox.

Oswald: Peter Oswald, age 25, was born in Glarus, Switzerland, according to the 1860 Jefferson Township census. In 1870, Peter Oswell, age 37 born in Switzerland, was listed in Pope County, Ill. In 1880, Peter Oswald, age 43 born in Switzerland, was listed in the Jefferson Precinct, Pope County, Iowa. A daughter, age 17, had been born in Indiana and another, age 12, had been born in Illinois.

Pasquier: Claude Pasquier patented the NW1/4SW1/4 and the SW1/4NW/14 Section 20 Twp. 2N Range 2W on 17 March 1834. Frances Pasquier purchased a lot in Vevay on Oct. 20, 1836. There were French Pascquiers in Marion County in 1870 and 1880.

Pernet: John David Pernet filed his intention to become a citizen on April 19, 1827 in Switzerland County. The record says he was born in Canton DeVaud, and migrated in 1821. However, S.G. Stevens rented land to John Pernet on Sept. 5, 1818. Perret Dufour said simply that Pernet came to Mt. Sterling at the same time as James Bolens. John Pernet was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. David Emanuel Pernet, also filed for citizenship on April 19, 1827 while living in Mt. Sterling. David Samuel, David Emanuel and Susan Marie Pernet purchased land from James Bolens on Nov. 4, 1821. John's estate was listed in the probate books covering 1824 to 1831. David E. Pernet, formerly of Mt. Sterling, died April 27, 1858 in Bethlehem, Ind., according to his obituary in the Indiana Reveille. The transcribed Bethlehem cemetery records show David E. Pernet (consort of Julia) (2 March 1797-26 April 1858) and Julia Pernet (b. 19 Nov. 1803). Letters of administration were grant to James F. Bolens with Francis Louis Dieseren and David Gaudin as securities. Sophia Pernet married Augustus Vairin, according to a quitclaim deed dated 1819 which she signed as "Sophia Vairin (nee Pernet)."

Ramsayer: Daniel Ramsayer was grated citizenship on Oct. 21, 1828 in Switzerland County. The record says he was born in. Cidevant, Neuchatell, Canton Berne, in 1799 sailed in 1814, and landed at Newport, R.I., that year. He had spent his last 11 years in Switzerland County. He was listed in Craig Township in 1850. Philip Ramsayer, granted citizenship on Oct. 21, 1828 in Switzerland County, also reported that he landed in Newport in 1814. Jacob Ramsayer patented the SW1/4 Section 9 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 21 Jan. 1817; and was listed in the Craig Township in the 1820 census. Phillip married Catherine Shadday on March 31, 1821 in Switzerland County. An Ancestry.com family tree shows Phillip George Ramsayer (Oct. 15, 1801-Feb. 4, 1870), was born in Switzerland and died in Howard County, Ind.

Raymond: Frederick L. Raymond was member of the Vevay Swiss Colony, and co-owned one of the portions of company's land with Frederick Dieserens. Perret Dufour said he came to Vevay in 1804. He may have come to this country before his father, Michael Abraham Raymond, who wrote his will on Aug. 22, 1811 in Jefferson County, leaving a gift to the village of Vaution in Switzerland. Abram Michael's executors were his wife (not named), son, and Elisha Golay. The will was witnessed by Daniel Dufour, Samuel Mennet, and Francis Siebenthal. Francis Louis Raymond left a will in Switzerland County that was probated on Feb. 16, 1837. The only son named in the will was Francis Louis. Francis L. Raimond sold land to Louis Gex Oboussier on Aug. 12, 1819, which he said was purchased by "my father" Abram Michael Raimond from John James Dufour. Both Francis and Frederick were listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Francis Louis and wife Mary sold land July 12, 1822. John Raymond, age 51, was listed in the 1850 Pleasant Township census as having been born in Switzerland.

Renel: Genevieve Renel married Jean Louis Morreillon on July 8 1817 in Switzerland County. The names Genevieve and Renel together sound French. But I have not found other instances of this name.

Rinehart: John Rinehart was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Craig Township. Julius Rinehart married Mrs. Mariana Elizabeth Canell on June 12, 1850 in Switzerland County.

Rochat, Louis Rochat, born in France or Switzerland, possibly in Canton DeVaud, was listed in Gallatin County, Ky., in the 1820 census. Lewis, John, and Thomas Rochat paid taxes land acres on Eagle Creek in Gallatin County (modern Carroll County). Louis paid taxes every year until 1824; his son, Jacob paid taxes from 1825. Jacob Rochett was listed in the 1830 Gallatin County census. A history by a great-grandson, Edward D. Bettens, printed in 1917, said that Louis married Ernestine Guineaug/Guignard, born about 1785 in Pays De Vaud (Canton DeVaud). The 1880 census showed Charles Rochat, age 36, and John Rochat, age 51, in separate households in Vevay. In each case, their father was listed as having been born in France.

Rodiene or Rodrene?: Joseph Rodiene, born in Switzerland, was listed in the household of Boneface Bocquer in the 1850 Jefferson Township

Romeril: Philip Romeril came from the Isle of Jersey to Switzerland County about 1815 with his mother, Sarah Maignard. He patented NW1/4 Section 18 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 20 June 1817. The 1850 census shows Philip, age 65 born in the Isle of Jersey, and John Romeril, age 57, born in the Isle of Jersey in Craig Township. Philip Romeril married Hannah Heady on Feb. 28, 1824 in Switzerland County. Was this a younger man as Philip would have been about 40 at the time of the marriage? His son Phillip married Rebecca Muret.

Routien: Michael Routien lived in Vevay in 1824, according to Perret Dufour. He advertised that John D. Cler's wife had not taken up with him (apparently rebutting an accusation made against him.) The name has a French construction.

Roux: Jean Roux was left in charge of vineyard in 1805. But it is not certain if this is the First Vineyard in Kentucky or the Vineyard at Vevay

Sailer: Christian Sailer, age 56, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1870 census for Brooksburg, Jefferson County.

Salre/Salve: John M. Salre, age 54, was born in Burgundy, France, according to the 1860 Jefferson Township census. Could he have been related to Christian Sailer above? Salre and Sailer were possibly the same surname.

Sandoz: Phillipe Auguste Sandoz of Philadelphia appointed Daniel Dufour attorney to sell land in Switzerland County on Sept. 4, 1817. John Jacques Dufour paid a Mr. Sandos for watch repairs made on Sept. 30, 1796 apparently in Philadelphia. It is doubtful that the Sandoz family ever lived in Indiana.

Sautebein: Julius Sautebein, age 25 born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1870 Vevay census in the household of Daniel Trafelet.

Sauvein/Sauvine/Souvein: Malechi Sauvein, age 70, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Craig Township. Mary E., age 56 born in France, was in his household. An Eliza, age 28, born in Kentucky was also listed with him. A will was recorded for Melchoir Souvein in Probate Book 2 (1847-1859) in Switzerland County. The last name is usually spelled Sauvein. It is likely that Malechi or Melchoir is a misreading of the first name, but which is correct, I don't know. Melchoir Savine died on June 15, 1859 in his 75th year, according to his tombstone inscription in the Vevay Cemetery. Mary, his wife, was born in Switzerland, according to her tombstone inscription, which said that she died Sept. 13, 1870 in her 80th year. Henry Sauvine was listed in the 1880 Craig Township census as age 64, born in Ohio. A biography of Jacob Buchanan, who married Julia Sauvein in Switzerland County, says the family originally settled in Gallipolis, Ohio, which was an early Swiss settlement..

Schenk: John James Phillip Schenck and his wife Marie came to the U.S. in 1817. He and Daniel Buren patented the E1/4 Section 29 Twp. 2N Range 3W on 22 Oct. 1817; He was probably the Philip Shank who was listed in the 1820 census for Craig Twp. John James Phillip Schenck and wife, Marie Judith Jucot, sold land on April 1, 1823. John Schenck was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland, according to the 1860 census. Ulysses P. age 40, and John P., age 62, were listed in the 1850 Jefferson Township as having been born in Switzerland, John J. P., born Switzerland, lived Feb. 11,17__-June 25,1884, according to a badly weathered tombstone in Vevay Cemetery. A transcription also shows, Mary, his wife, was born in Switzerland, and lived Apr. 13, 1788-Oct. 6, 1844. John J.J. Schenk was named administrator of the estate of Louis P. Schenck on April 17, 1842.

Schmidt: Frederick Schmidt purchased land in Switzerland County on Oct. 23, 1815. The deed called him a citizen of Berne. Frederick married Nancy Andrews on in 1837 in Switzerland County.

Shaffner: Barnhart Shaffner age 40, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Jefferson Township census. His Christian name has also been transcribed as VanHart. He married Catherine Krall in Switzerland County on Feb. 8, 1842 and apparently died by 1880 as a Catherine, age 60, headed her own household in Jefferson Township. Her sons, Barnhart, 37, and Samuel, age 33, were listed as having been born in Ohio.

Siebenthal: Francis Louis Siebenthal and his son, John Francis, were members of the original Swiss Colony, who left Switzerland in 1801. They came to Indiana in 1806 after John Francis married. John Francis took the oath of citizenship in 1813 in Jefferson County, Ind. He died in Cincinnati. Although Dufour shows the name as de Siebenthal, after the French style, an 1813 Jefferson Township polling list has Louis signing as Louis van Siebenthal in the German style. Francis Louis died "of disease contracted in the lower country where he had gone with a boat load of produce sometime about the year 1824 or 1825," Perret Dufour reported. John Francis died near Cincinnati "some nine years since," Dufour says. John F. Siebenthal was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Francis Louis de Siebenthal was born on Sept. 3, 1763 in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland. He married Marie Wichoud/Vuichaud. Jean Francois de Siebenthal was born in Montreux on Apr. 15, 1785 and died July 7, 1857 in Cincinnati. He married Jeanne Marie Dufour in 1806 in Jessamine County, Ky. His estate was filed on 3 Feb. 1823. John F. Siebenthal, age 66, born in Switzerland, was listed in the household of Helvetius Siebenthal, age 25 born in Indiana, in the 1850 census for Spencer Twp., Hamilton County.

Simon: John Jean Simon was born in Berne, according to Perret Dufour. As discussed the family moved to the Selkirk settlement in Canada on the Red River of the North, where Simon was apparently stationed as solider. The family reached Vevay in 1823 where the members stayed with the Morerods, although no relationship was cited by Dufour. His daughter, Zelie Simon, married Frederick Louis Grisard on April 18, 1828 in Switzerland County. Her tombstone in Vevay Cemetery shows she was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland, and that she lived Dec. 7, 1807-Nov. 17, 1892. An Ancestry.com family tree shows she was born in Ligniere, Neuchatel.

Spiehr: Christ Spiehr was age 34 when he was listed in the household of his mother Elizabeth Spiehr in Jefferson Township. A Frank Spiehr, age 44, also lived in the household. The census shows all as having been born in Switzerland. They were listed next door to Christopher Stucky, who was also born in Switzerland.

Spieker: Jacob Spieker, age 17, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1870 Vevay census, which lists him in the house of Samuel Stucy, another Swiss native.

Stevens: Michael Stevens, age 49, was listed in the 1880 Vevay census as having been born in France, as his wife Amanda, age 41.

Straum: Peter Straum, age 33, born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1880 Vevay census. His wife was born in Indiana as was his two-year-old son William.

Stucy: Henry Stucy, age 44, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1860 Jefferson Township census. The youngest member in household, Henry, age 9, was also born in Switzerland. The 1860 census for Jefferson Township showed that Samuel Stucy, age 72, was born in Glarus (a Swiss Canton). The book, A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, featured a biographical sketch of his son Frederick. This account says Henry married Afra Stoneman Stucy and that they came to the United States in 1849, arriving in Vevay via New Orleans. Frederick was born on March 23, 1846 in Glaurus. He was the sixth of 11 children.

Swop: Peter Swap, age 52, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1860 Switzerland County census.

Tardy: Perret Dufour said Francis and John Gabriel Tardy were both listed in the 1820 census in Craig Township. John Gabriel, who swore that he was from Canton DeVaud, filed his intention to seek citizenship on Apr. 17, 1827, while John Francis, who said he was also born in Canton de Vaud on Aug. 25, 1795, was granted citizenship on April 19, 1827. The 1850 census for Jefferson Township showed that George Tardy, age 61, was born in Europe. George Tardy married Louisa Mieville on March 30, 1821 in Switzerland County. Gabriel married Jannette Devans on May 8, 1819 in Switzerland County. A Rose Tardy, born in Garde, France, age 69, was listed in the 1860 census. John Francis was listed in the 1880 census for Jefferson Township as Frank Tardy, age 89, born in Switzerland.

Thaler/Theler: (sp?), Peter Theler, age 22, was born France, according to the 1860 census for Posey Township. He was listed in Patriot.

Thiebaut(d): Charles Amie Thiebaud registered his intention to seek citizenship to seek citizenship in Switzerland County on April 18, 1827. He swore that he was born in Neufchatell, Switzerland, migrated 1817 to Philadelphia, and then to Indiana that same year. Frederick Louis Thiebaud filed his statement the same day, swearing that he was born in Neufchatell, in 1766 and that he moved to Philadelphia with his wife Henrietta and their children, Charles Aime, Justian, Emily, Julia, Augustine, Justi, Phillipine, and Justine, The family landed in Philadelphia in August 1817. He patented the NE1/4 Section 29 on Twp. 2N Range 3W on 27 Oct. 1817 and he was listed in the 1820 Switzerland County census. Frederick's will was written on Dec. 10, 1844 and recorded on Jan.22, 1845 in Switzerland County. The biographical sketch of Justi Thiebaud in the History of Switzerland County says that he was born in Switzerland in 1813, the son of Frederick Thiebaud and Henrietta Pater. An Ancestry.com family tree shows more specifically Frederick Louis Thiebaud was born in Oct. 4, 1767 in Neuchatel and died on Dec. 24, 1846 and was buried in the Vevay Cem. Harriet's birth date was given as April15, 1777.

Touffly, Peter: Peter Touffly married Charlotte Bettens on July 7, 1821 in Switzerland County. He was listed in the 1825 Cincinnati directory as a confectioner in partnership with John Richards. Both were born in Switzerland. He was probably the Peter Touffly, whose estate was administered Hamilton County, Ohio (Cincinnati) in Dec. 1832 by Rosalin Toufly and which was witnessed by Frederick Dieserens.

Trafelet: Daniel Trafelet, age 29, was born in Berne, according to the 1860 census for Jefferson Township. Daniel married Regala Linsi (per transcription) on March 27, 1856 in Switzerland County. Esther Schwab, age 72, was listed in their household in 1880 and was listed as Daniel's mother. She was born in Switzerland.

Tuget A Sarah Tuget, age 36, was listed in the 1880 Vevay census. Was she the widow of a Swiss national? Tuget sounds French.

Vairin: The Vairin family to Vevay 1815/16, according to Perret Dufour. Justus Vairin was granted citizenship on April 21, ? but registered as subject of King Charles X of France. John Peter and Margaret Paulina Vairin sold land in Section 22 and 27 Twp. 3N Range 3W in 1816. He was listed in Jefferson Township in 1820. Jean Pierre (John Peter) Vairin purchased land from Louis Gex Oboussier on June 15, 1816 and he sold land on June 17 to Oboussier. John Peter died by Nov. 24, 1820 when Margaret Paulina sold land owned by "my late husband" to Justus. Augustus Vairin and wife, Sophia, sold land to Justus on June 4, 1819. Other sons were August and Julius. Julius Vairin in lived St. Louis in 1832 and died in 1837 in New Orleans. Justi Vairin m. Victoria Helvetia Gex on Dec. 9, 1817 in Switzerland County. Justus was listed in New Orleans in the 1880 census. He was listed as age 52, born in Kentucky, father born in France, mother in England. Julius, born in Kentucky, was listed in New Orleans in 1880. Kentucky. Augustus was listed in the household of his cousin Cecelia Vairin in Owensboro, Ky., in 1880. The book, Immigration into America reported “M. Vairin, a professor of mathematics, has also arrived from France, with a part of his family; he has purchased a farm on the river, one mile below Vevay." The information was from the Vevay Register, with the information dated July 20. It is not clear if the year of publication was 1816,

Vaucher: Abraham Vaucher of Cincinnati, purchased land of John D. and Antoinette Morerod in Switzerland County on June 2, 1820. He was possibly Abraham H. Veauchier, a screwmaker, born in Switzerland, who was listed in the 1825 Cincinnati directory. Was it possibly that this is the same name as Vuichaud, the maiden name of the wife of Francis Louis de Siebenthal, since the Siebenthals moved to Cincinnati? The French pronunciations of the two names would have been quite different, although the Americans, reading them by sight, might have blurred the pronunciations. (Voshay versus Vweeshow in French).

Violette. In his book, the First of the Hoosiers, Reminiscences of Edward Eggleston, his brother and the author, George C. Eggleston, listed Violet as a Swiss family. Thornton and Edward Violette were listed in Craig Township in the 1820 census and in Switzerland County again in 1830 when there were no townships listed. The Violette family forum on Genforum does not provide any clue to the family's origin and the 1850 census for Switzerland County shows Edward was born about 1797 in Virginia.

Vuichoid: Francis Louis Siebenthal married Marie Vuichoid on 18 Feb. 1785 in Montreux. It is not known if she accompanied her husband and son to the United States. Perret Dufour's records suggest only the men came.

Witel: Louis Emile Weitel and his wife, both apparently of Switzerland County, assigned land to Eugene Lauasson of Cincinnati on July 3, 1837; a French-sounding name, given the name Louis Emile.

Wiseman: A number of Wisemans were shown in the 1850 Census. In Craig Township was Charles, age 33; John, age 29, in Charles's household; and Christian, age 33. Martha, age 21 was in Jefferson Township in the house of Amie Morerod. Samuel, age 18, was in the house of John Gagens in Jefferson Township. All the Wisemans were shown as having been born in Switzerland. Christian married Elizabeth Brown on Apr. 30, 1838 in Switzerland County. A Christopher (same man?) married Sarah Clark on Jan. 19, 1832 in Switzerland County. Christopher died by Nov. 21, 1837 when his widow Sarah was renounced administration of the estate. No heirs were named, but they were likely parents of the younger Wisemans. A book about the family, written by Lynda Alexander-Fonde and written in 1991, speculated they may have traveled with an uncle, Jacob Wiseman.

Wuichet. James Lewis Wuichet (transcribed as Winchet, Wuichet is probably correct) married Sabine Sabine Dutiot on April 19, 1837 in Switzerland County. There were Wuichets in Ohio in 1880 whose parents were listed as born Switzerland and France and one in New Orleans who had been born in Switzerland, so the name is likely Swiss.

Zurner: A household was headed by Mr. Zerner, age 30 born in Switzerland per the 1850 for Jefferson Township. His first name is not given and his apparent wife listed as Mrs. Zerner

Aplenalp: Melchoir Aplenalp, a native of Canton Berne, arrived in the U.S. on June 4, 1833. He gave this information when he registered as an alien in 1839/40, age 31, in Jefferson County. He was listed as a clothier, age 41, born in Switzerland, in the 1850 Madison census. John Aplanalp (1824-1866) is buried in Springdale Cemetery, but the tombstone does not indicate his birthplace. Andrew Aplanalp, age 54, born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1850 Madison census. Kunengunde, wife of Andrew W. (Aug. 11, 1812-Dec. 19, 1888), is buried in Springdale Cem.

Bachman: Alois Bachman was 31 when he registered as an alien in Jefferson County, no date given for the registration in Book B p. 469. When he registered again, he was 34 and swore he was born Furstenberg, Neuchatel. The transcription is not clear as to whether he arrived in the U.S. in 1824 and was 34 at the time or that was the date of his next registration. Alois Bachman, who died on Nov. 10, 1860, age 70 years, is buried in Springdale Cemetery. He married Emily Thiebaud in Switzerland County on Sept. 19, 1822. Emily (w/o A. d. Dec. 5, 1850, age 49 years) is also buried in Springdale.

Batschelet: Peter Batschelet (1793-1869) was born in Canton Bern, according to his tombstone at Olive Branch Cemetery. In his alien registration, he swore he was born in Canton Berne, and that arrived on May 3, 1834 in New York and that arrived in Jefferson County in July was age 42 in 1834. When he registered on Oct. 1, 1849, he said he was 46 year old. His daughter Margaretha (May 11, 1820-May 4, 1886) was born in Munschenmeier, Canton Bern, according to her tombstone in Springdale Cemetery. She married John Nicklaus, who was from the same town, on May 21, 1841 in Jefferson County. The family was listed in the 1850 census in Madison Township.

Brandt: Felix Brandt said he was from Neuchatel, Switzerland, when he registered as an alien in Jefferson County, apparently in 1819. He married Cecilia Jennaret (1795-1855) daughter of Charles Jennaret of Madison. The tombstone inscription of their daughter Cecilie (1816-1883) says she was born in Neuchatel. All three are buried in the Hanover Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Breadbeck: Leonard Breadbeck, age 49, born in Berne, was listed in Madison Township in 1850. His wife, Margaret, was also born in Berne, as was an apparent daughter, Mary, age 20.

Browback/Brodbeck?: Stephen Browback swore that he was 28 year old from Switzerland and that he arrived in the United States on Aug. 9, 1835 when he registered as an alien in 1839/40. This have been Stephen Broadbach, a tailor born in Switzerland, who was listed in the 1840 Cincinnati city directory.

Bruner: John Bruner, age 37, in 1850, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Madison. The oldest female in the house, Margaret, age 20, was born in Switzerland, as was the youngest child, Mary, age 1. Another John Bruner married Jane Sterrett on Oct. 27, 1836 in Madison. There apparently was an older John Bruner as John, consort of John, died Aug. 10, 1839, age 43, and Elizabeth, consort of John Bruner, who died on Apr. 22, 1831, age 41 years, are both buried at Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery where other Swiss families are buried.

Buhler: John Buhler swore that he was from Berne, Switzerland and that he arrived in the U.S. in 1823 when he said he was 48. Christian age 55, and John age 52, both from Berne, registered as aliens in Jefferson County in 1830. As mentioned John witnessed Charles Jennaret's will. His daughter Anna married Louis/Lewis DeBuren/VanBuren. Christian Buhler, along with Jacob Grebe, were elected as trustees of the German Methodist Church in Madison on Aug.15, 1848. Christian, age 69, was listed in Madison in 1850. He married Margaret Schlater on June 30, 1850 in Jefferson County. She was listed in the census as age 30, so was a second wife. He was listed in Jacob Grebe's household in Madison Township. His daughter Mary Ann was probably the woman (transcribed as Bukber) who married John Christian Jacob Graber on May 12, 1831 in Jefferson County.

DeBuren: Lewis DeBuren, age 24, from Berne, registered as an alien in Jefferson County in 1830. This name became Van Buren in Indiana. The obituary of his son John noted that John's "grandfather, Louis Van Buren, was a member of the famous Swiss guard that defended the royal family of Louis XIV of France at Versailles at the time of their forcible transit to Paris during the French Revolution." This would appear to be Lewis's father who is the subject of this account. Lewis, in full Arnold Louis Amedée von Büren (1802-1879) married Anna Buhler (1807-1842). However, Christian Buhler's will refers to him as Ludavice VanBuren.

Dubach: John Dubach was age 35 and from Berne, according to his registration as an alien in 1828. He also registered in Jefferson County in 1831 when he was 37 year old. The inscription on his tombstone in Springdale Cemetery lists him as John Aaron Dubach, native of Switzerland, died Apr. 3, 1839, age 43 years. Elizabeth Dubach, native of Switzerland, who died on June 18, 1842, age 70 years, buried in Springdale Cemetery, was probably his mother. A Mary K. Bubach, age 50, born Switzerland, is listed in the 1850 Madison census. The next oldest person in this household, David, was age 24, born in Indiana. A narrative by his mother said that John Aaron was born in Berne on 29 Feb. 1794. She said she was Maria Catherine Van Gunton, who was born on 5 Aug. 1800 in Neuchatel and that they were married in Neuchatel in 1819.

Gainter: Jacob Gainter, born in Berne, registered as an alien in Jefferson County in 1839/40. He swore that he arrived in the United States in 1831.

Garber/Gerber: John Garber came to the United States in 1844. He was born in Switzerland and apparently came to Indiana from Tuscarawa County, Ohio, according to his registration as an alien in Jefferson County. He was age 43, although it is not clear if this was in 1844 or when he registered, which is not given in a DAR transcription other than saying the record is in Book F p. 311 (apparently a court record). John Garber Sr. married Mary E. Minter on Oct. 25, 1855 in Jefferson County. Lt. Col. John Gerber, d. Apr. 7, 1862 at the battle of Shiloh, according to his tombstone in Springdale Cemetery. The DAR notes he was born in Switzerland on June 10, 1826.

Gasser: Anthony Gasser, age 28, was born in Switzerland and arrived in the United States on March 3, 1840, according to his registration as an alien.

Golay: George D. Golay, age 50, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Madison Township census. In his household was Frederick, age 19, born in Indiana, and George's apparent wife Elizabeth, age 46, born in Pennsylvania.

Gunther: Mary Gunther married Christian F. Golay on Aug. 30, 1840 in Jefferson County. She was listed as age 26, born in Switzerland, in his household in the 1850 census for Madison Township. Catherine married Casper Keppler on Jan. 19, 1838 in Jefferson County. She was listed as age 35, born in Switzerland, in his household in the 1850 census for Madison Township.

Hammer: John Hammer, age 34, a knife grinder, was listed in the house of Peter Bedle in Madison in 1850.

Heberhart: F.C. Heberhart Sr., (July 29, 1799-July 16,1854) was born in Switzerland, according to his tombstone in Springdale Cemetery. A Francis E. Eberheart, age 51, born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1850 census for Madison. The middle initials were transcribed from different sources. His wife, Elizabeth, was also born in Switzerland. Their oldest child, Elizabeth, age 16, was born in Ohio. Their other child, age 13, was also born in Ohio.

Jenneret: Philabert Jeanneret or Jeanneret, was 23 years old in 1823 when he registered as an alien in Jefferson County. His registration in 1824 showed that he was 26 year old and had been born in Lochle, Switzerland. Charles Henry Jeanneret wrote his will, which was written in French, on June 26, 1826 and it was recorded in Jefferson County on November 6, 1830. The will was also filed in Jo Daviess County, Ill. He referred to himself as a native of Soole, citizen of Vallangin, Canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland, now residing in Madison, Jefferson County, Ind. He also bequeathed property to his wife Henrietta Jenneret Deidey "now residing in Switzerland."

Keffer: A male Keffer, age 32, a lock maker, was listed as born in Switzerland and was counted in Christian Hablizel's inn in Madison in 1850.

Kerner/Kernen: Jacob Kerner was born in Switzerland and lived Dec. 1, 1833-Nov.2, 1896, according to his tombstone in Springdale Cemetery. He was probably the son of Christian Kerner (Jan. 7, 1810-May 14, 1887), also buried at Springdale.

Kunkler: Peter Kunkler, age was 32 in 1832, was from Segall, Switzerland, according to his registration as an alien. The transcribed record gives to dates, Aug. 1, and Oct. 1, 1832, which may be when he arrived in the United States and when he arrived n Jefferson County.

Meuser: The records of the Meuser family are confusing for they show that Frederick Meuser, age 52 in 1828, and Jacob, aged 28, in 1828, were from Switzerland. However, Frederick, age 29, in 1832, was from Germany, and that John Frederick, age 56 in 1832, was from Prussia, according to these men's alien registrations. John F. Meuser (probably Frederick) died on May 2, 1858, age 80 years, according to his tombstone in Springdale Cem. The inscription says "Ronden in Waldeck" while that of Christian F. Meuser (1837-191) says "Bohden in Waldeck."

Minter: Nicholas Minter, age 62, a gardener, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Madison. His wife Mary, age 48, as also born in Switzerland. There may have been a connection to the Swiss VanBuren/DeBuren family as David VanBuren, age 7, was listed with them. 

Muller: John Muller, a laborer, was age 35, born in Berne, when he registered as an alien in Jefferson County in April 1834. The DAR transcribed his tombstone in Springdale Cemetery as John Mullen, born in Switzerland, died on June 23, 1846, age 46 years.

Nicklaus: Jacob Nicklaus, age 34, was born in Switzerland and arrived in the United States on May 4, 1835, according to his registration as an alien. Another Jacob Nicklaus was 52 in 1839 and from Canton Berne, according to his declaration. This was apparently the same man who registered in 1844, age 57. Another Jacob registered as a native of Switzerland, age 26, in 1839. John Nicklaus, who registered in 1844 at age 25, left Switzerland on June 4, 1839 (the record says Havre, Switzerland, but probably means he left Switzerland and sailed from Havre de Grace, France) and that he landed in New Orleans on July 16, 1839. He lived 1813-1845 and was buried in Canaan Cemetery. Rudolph (1817-1902), born in Canton Berne and listed in Madison Township in 1850, was buried in Olive Branch Cemetery. Peter, age 26, 1850 Shelby Twp. born Switzerland. Landed New Orleans, July 16, 1839 per other Jefferson County record. John Nicklaus (June 24, 1819-Aug.14, 1889) was born in Munschenmeier, Canton Bern, Oberamt, Erbach, Switzerland, according to his tombstone inscription in Springdale Cemetery. He married Margaretha who was Batchelet, also born in Munschenmeier, on May 21, 1841 in Jefferson County.

Nicolet: Julian Nicolet, born in Switzerland, was 51 years old, when he registered as an alien in 1840 in Jefferson County

Poser: Augustus Poser, age 35, a machinist, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 census for Madison.

Richert, Elizabeth, w/o J., b. Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Was this Elizabeth Keller, who m. on June 12, 1863 in Jefferson County, John Richert (12 Sep 1843 - 05 May 1915)?

Sahli (Sauley): Samuel Sahli, a laborer, was born in born Berne, according to his registration an alien. He swore he was age 24 when he arrived in Jefferson County on April 21, 1833. He married Cynthia Denny. They were listed as Sallys in the 1850 census for Madison Catherine Sally, age 60, was listed in the house of John Rupert in Madison in 1850.

Schabb: John Schabb, 29, age born in Switzerland, was listed in the household of Peter Batschelet in Madison Township in 1860. Daniel, age 55 and, Peter Schabb, 25, both born in Switzerland, were listed in households immediately after Batschelets in 1860.

Swend: Joseph Swend, age 40, born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1850 census for Madison Township. Among the children in the household, Teresa, age 4, was born in Switzerland, Lena, age 3, was born in Louisiana, while Juleana, age 3, was born in Indiana.

Wagner: Martin Wagner, age 19, a shoemaker, was born in Switzerland, according to the 1850 Madison census. A Jacob Wagner, age 17 in the same household, was born in France.

Weaver: Peter Weaver, age 37, born in Switzerland, was listed in the 1850 census for Madison Township. A son Albert, age 2, was listed as born at sea. He lived adjacent to Rudolph Nicklaus.

Widmer: David Widmer (1804-1873) was born in Switzerland, according to his tombstone inscription in Springdale Cemetery.

Thwaites, Reuben Gold, editor. Early Western Travels, (1748-1846). Cleveland, Ohio: A.H. Clark Co., 1904-1907. Journal of André Michaux, 1793-1796 Cleveland, 1904. Translated from the original French journal first published in the Proceedings of the American Philosophical society for 1889, p. 1-145. Available at American Memory Collection, Library of Congress, http://memory.loc.gov.

Van Cleve, Charlotte Ouisconsin Clark. "Three Score Years and Ten," life-long memories of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and other parts of the West, by Charlotte Ouisconsin Van Cleve.[Minneapolis, Printing house of Harrison & Smith] 1888. Available at American Memory Collection, Library of Congress, http://memory.loc.gov.

Weakley Harrman & Co., Originally printed as History of Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland County, Weakley Harraman & Co., Chicago. 1885. Reissued by the Switzerland County Historical Society as the History of Switzerland County, Indiana, 1885. Windmill Publications, Inc. 6628 Uebelhack Road, Mt. Vernon, Ind. 1993.