David Bettschen

1782 - 1867  (~ 84 years)

• Photos

  Bettschen-David-1782-1867-AncestryPublicMemberTree.jpg David Bettschen 1782-1867 - crdduggan1 originally shared this on 3 Nov 2022 to Ancestry Public Member Tree

  
  

• Name	David Bettschen
  Born	Sep 1782	Avers, Reichenbach, Frutingen, Canon Bern, Switzerland   [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190114177
  Immigration	1825	, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Occupation	1852	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	farmer
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-89248
  Died	13 Sep 1867	Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3]
  Buried	Rosebank Community Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Person ID	I89248	Generations
  Last Modified	3 Mar 2025

  
  

  Family	Elizabeth Bruegger,   b. 7 Apr 1771, , Switzerland ,   d. 24 Apr 1856, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 85 years)
  Children	1. Mayor Jacob Bettschen,   b. 8 May 1808, , Switzerland ,   d. 24 Jul 1869, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 61 years)   2. Christian Bettschen,   b. 17 May 1810, , Switzerland ,   d. 8 May 1862, , Lake Co. Illinois  (Age 51 years)   3. Gottlieb Bettschen,   b. 6 Apr 1813, , Switzerland ,   d. 28 Apr 1883, Niles, Berrien, Michigan, USA  (Age 70 years)   4. Gilgian Wilhelm "William" Bettschen,   b. 3 Oct 1814, Reuebruegg, Switzerland ,   d. 29 Jan 1890, Pilkington Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada  (Age 75 years)
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F23653	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  David Bettschen settled on approximately 100 acres of the south half of Lot 5, Concession 3 in 1831 nearby the settlement of New Dundee. In 1832 Bettschen had built a log house, barn and blacksmith shop on the property. John Allchin purchased the farm in 1842, and the property was later purchased by Donald MacDonald. An Archaeological Perspective of an Historic Overview of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Scarlett E. Janusas Aug 1988 pg 58 ________________ WILMOT PIONEERS... An Interesting Sketch of the Early Days of Wilmot-Encounters With Bears and Wolves-Privations and Hardships of the Early Settlers. THE BEITSCHEN FAMILY. "No species of writing," says Dr. Johnson, "seems more worthy of cultivation than biography, since none can be more useful and delightful." To treasure up memorials of those who have led an exemplary life and achieved success in all their works is not only helpful to the mind, but is an exalted duty we owe to the living and the dead. In a very broad sense biography may be considered the soul of history. Nothing in the whole field of literature can surpass a well written biography of a wise and useful man in society. My series of biographical sketches would indeed be sadly marred were I to omit the name of Gottlieb Bettschen. In a biography in public print this one may appear lengthy, in its perusal the reader will discover Mr. Bettschen's life be identified with so much that is of such absorbing interest, instructive hitherto unpublished historical data pertaining to the early days of this section of Wilmot township, that ordinary space been devoted to personally. He came down from noble Swiss ancestry, being a lineal descendant of men prominent in the Government of Switzerland, more than two hundred years ago, in the days of Frederick the Great, and when the military achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte were disturbing the peace of the combined nations of Europe. David Bettschen, beyond whom we have no further authentic record of the ancestors of this family was born some time early in 1700. He acted as a mountain guide and at one time served in that capacity for general Lentulus, a noted warrior under Frederick the Great, who was touring through the Alps. David, the second, great grandfather of Gottlieb, was born in Ares, a mountain village in 1753. He was a gendarme in the Canton of Berne for several years. David the third was a watchmaker, and grandfather of Gottlieb, was born in Frutigen in 1782. Jacob Bettschen, father of the subject of this sketch, and fourth in the line of ancestors here recorded was also born in the Canton of Berne, the date of his birth being May 8, 1808. He was also a watch-maker. His wife's grandfather, named Reichen, was the Mayor of Frutigen in the Canton of Berne, at the time of the Napoleonic invasion in 1798. He it was who frustrated the attempt of the Swiss peasantry and citizens of Frutigen to poison the water used by the French soldiery. Through this precaution on his part the town was saved from destruction by fire, which, undoubtedly would have been its fate had the inhuman conspiracy succeeded. David, the senior Bettschen, was one of the volunteers of the patriotic army organized to oppose the invasion by Napoleon. Jacob Bettschen, the father of Gottlieb, also a watch maker, was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, in 1808. On June 10, 1825, then in the 17th year of his age, he came to America with his father. They first landed at New York, where they remained until July, 1826. It seems they did not relish the atmosphere of modern Gotham, for we find them bound for Canada after remaining there for one year. Their destination was Dundas. The entire journey was made with team and required several weeks' time and resulted in considerable exposure and danger to the family. When they reached Dundas they considered it a favorable location and accordingly opened a general clock and watch business. For three or four years they did quite an extensive trader in repairing and in the importation of clocks from Switzerland. Jacob was engaged the greater portion of the time in peddling these clocks through the country, principally among the Pennsylvania Dutch Pioneers of Waterloo Oxford counties and other sections of what is now Western Ontario. He disposed of a large number. A few of them are still to be found in the homes of the younger generation who highly prize them as family relics. It was during these trips that Jacob conceived the idea it would be to his own advantage to leave Dundas and push his way further into the western wilds. About the year 1828 he reached this neighourhood and purchased a tract of land, it now comprising the beautiful home of Gottlieb. At that time it was a solitary wilderness, the abode of the Indian and the squatter. Only a few small clearings had as yet been made. For about a year and a half he lived the life of a bachelor when he met and won the affections of Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Klopfenstein, and the gloomy bachelor home in the woods was soon cheered by the sunshine of a devoted wife. She was also a native of Berne, Switzerland, when she was born in 1810, and came with her parents to this section about the same time her husband arrived. It was about three or four years after the departure of the son from Dundas that the father and mother also left that place and came to this section of Wilmot and purchased a bush farm about a half mile east of New Dundee. Here they lived for a number of years but finally moving to the neighborhood of the old cheese factory taking possession of the corner farm on the Huron road, the residence being near what was known as the "Huron Tavern." Here they spent the remainder of their days. She died on April 25, 1856, aged 86 years. He followed her to the unknown beyond on December 13, 1867, aged 85 years. These worthy people were noted for their kind, generous hospitality, keeping open house and giving freely without money and without price, to the hundreds of emigrants who were daily moving westward over that old government highway. Jacob, the son, continued to cultivate and clear up his farm in connection with his watchmaking business for about ten years when he and his family moved to Preston. There he established a watch and clock business, but which he continued only about four years, returning to the farm again. Here he lived until his death, July, 24, 1869, aged 61 years. His devoted wife survived him until 1888 when she departed this life in her 79th years. His advent here sometime prior to opening up of Huron Road, and he could relate while in life many stirring incidents connected with the cutting out of that highway which was to open up to settlement a vast section of fertile country. The family residence was of the most primitive style, it being a small log shanty with a slanting roof that admitted the snow and the rain to any portion of the interior occupied by the family bedstead. In this crude they lived until 1830. A small frame building was then erected, but it was a palace compared to the old one. It still stands on the premises and it is said to be the first frame house erected in Wilmot township. Jacob achieved considerable fame as a successful hunter and trapper throughout the settlement for many miles. He knew not what fear was and his bold daring nature frequently brought him into desperate encounters with the wild and savage denizens of the bush. One of the most noted adventures was in killing the largest bear ever seen in the district. This occurred near the evening of July 1, 1835. The carcass weighed 450 pounds. Pieces of the bullets taken from the vitals of the monster are still in the possession of Gottlieb. As a deer hunter he had few equals, and scores of these fleet-footed animals were brought down by his unerring aim. Venison and bear meat were then largely the diet of the hunter and his family. Probably his most narrow escape combat with a wounded buck deer. He encountered the animal in what was then known as the Waterloo Plains this then being quite a large tract of dense wilderness. He had shot the animal through the intestines and was approaching the game when the latter suddenly turned up on him. The hunter not having time to reload struck the now thoroughly enraged beast over the head with the stock of his rifle, smashing it into atoms, but apparently without inflicting any deadly effect up on his vicious antagonist. He quickly dealt the brute another blow with the rifle-barrel bending the latter almost double. This also proved ineffectual and he grasped the animal by the horns. A death struggle tween man and beast then ensued. But the heroic hunter who was now becoming somewhat exhausted, gained relief by the discovery that his merciless enemy was losing strength from the loss of blood. In this condition the animal leaned against a small sapling which gave way and both combatants went down. Bettschen, while struggling on the ground seeing his opportunity quickly drew his hunting knife and plunged its keen blade into the vitals of the old buck. The antlers of this fellow are still in possession of the son Gottlieb in addition to the many others as evidence of prowess pro as a successful hunter. He also had several encounters with wolves, having on one occasion come upon a pack of fourteen of these fierce brutes. But luckily they were feasting upon the carcass of a dead horse at the time and did not give the hunter serious attention. The ravenous pack was so intent upon their feast of dead horse that they did not notice the hunter's approach. The latter was somewhat hid from view by a thicket. A heavy snow was on the ground. He stepped behind a large log where he could get a good sight at the howling, hungry mass. Before taking he thought, "Now taxes is due tomorrow, amounting to twelve dollars, and if I can shoot two with one shot I will get $5 each as bounty and $1 each for their hides making the amount required." He brushed away a small space in the snow on the log to lay his rifle and when he thought he had two in range pulled the trigger, the cap snapped, but the gun was not discharged. Putting more powder in the nipple, and placing in another cap he was about again to take aim, when to his surprise the whole pack had disappeared. He fired at what he supposed to be the hind parts of one but it only proved to be the end of a small log. As a business man and farmer his reputation for honesty won for him positions of public trust and responsibility. He was the first tax collector appointed in this section. In early days institutions for the safe deposit of moneys were remote from the settlements, and as a consequence when he returned late in the evening with the results of his collecting during the day he would pull out the large pins in the logs of the cabin which were used for hanging up clothing, put the money in the holes and replace the pins. He was also the first man appointed constable in this district and while acting in that capacity made the first arrest. It was also for the first murder committed among the white people in the district. The murderer was apprehended at Haysville on the charge of murdering a child and concealing its remains under a culvert. Bettschen single-handed arrested his man and on foot conveyed him to the Hamilton jail a distance of about forty five miles. The greater portion of the distance was through dense bush. Bettschen was also the first Magistrate. He held this office about thirty years. As such official he was noted for his zeal in promoting harmony among those of his neighbors who came before him to settle their disputes by legal means. He was also one of the first councillors long before Wilmot was a Municipality, it then being known as the Wellington District. For a period of eight years he went on horse back to attend the regular session at Guelph. When Wilmot was made a township he was its first Reeve and for years afterwards served as a councillor. He was the first man in the neighborhood or township to advocate and succeed in establishing a public library. Some its books are now Baden library. At that time the township hall was located at Wilmot Center. He was also one of the original directors of the Wilmot Township Agricultural Society, the shows being then held at Wilmot. Center. Conspicuous features in his character were kindness and generosity towards those soliciting his assistance. He made several trips to Switzerland, his native land, and on the first return journey brought over several of his countrymen at his own expense. After the ship had been out some days it was discovered that there was one more name on the register than had been paid for. A search was at once made resulting in the discovery of a stowaway. The trembling young fellow was dragged from his hiding place and about to be put in irons when Bettschen came to his rescue and secured his release by paying his fare. Had this not been done the poor fellow would have been taken back on the return trip and, perhaps, barbarously punished. This man is now a prosperous farmer in Ohio and was visited by Gottlieb several years ago. He has three sons also prosperous farmers, one of these being named Jacob, in honor of his benefactor, Jacob Bettschen. At the time of Gottlieb's visit he recited the incident with tears coursing down his cheeks. Gottlieb Bettschen of the third generation of Bettschens in America, and the subject of this sketch, excepting the four years his father lived in Preston, was reared on the farm. Like his father and grandfather before him he was a watchmaker, but he did much in assisting his father in clearing, cultivating and building. At the age of twenty-one with limited education and also limited funds, he left the family fold with his watchmaker "kit" and sallied out into the big, wide world to "paddle his own canoe". He went to the United States, it being the period the civil war was in progress over there. The latter state of affairs he did not relish, and after travelling over seven states working here and there at his trade as a watch tinker, he returned to his native land, having had enough of the boasted "land of milk and honey". He then engaged in the tree business, representing other nurseries and finally starting one of his own. In this he was quite successful, and much of the choice fruit grown in this section is the result of his efforts. He followed this vocation for seven years. In grafting he had unusually good success. He next engaged in mercantile pursuits, but after being thus employed for several years his father died, and he being the eldest son was required to take charge of the estate, and here he has lived over thirty years. The father having been the adjustor of various estates, as a consequence had quite a large volume of unfinished business on hand at his death and the task devolved upon Gottlieb to complete it. In this the latter proved himself equal to the difficult problems; he was subsequently called upon to solve difficult questions in the settlement of other estates. He also succeeded his father as commissioner and held that office for twenty years, and for the same number of years has been representative of the North Waterloo Farmers' Insurance Co.in this section and for years agent of the Economical Insurance Co, of Berlin, and the Reliance Loan Co., of Toronto. He has also been magistrate since April, 26, 1886, and is a member of both the Farmers' Institute and the Dominion Short Horn Breeders' Association. In the Institute he is more generally interested and has written and read a number of able and interesting essays in different branches in farming. He is one of the original directors, among those associated with him being the late Isaac Masters, Robert Tye, Charles Brown, Anson Groh, William Cowan and others. The essay on dehorning of cattle is a master effort. In this he condemns the Dehorning of Animals as the most cruel and barbarous of practices on the farm and as being unworthy of a Christian community. His picture of the agonizing look of the animal while undergoing this operation should influence every man in favor of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals and condemn the practice also. This principle he has advocated for years, His essay on the Power of Kindness is excellent. As an inventor of farm implements Mr. Bettschen is quite a genius, having been awarded the greater number of 150 prize cards now in his possession for a patent scuffler. As a farmer he practises what he preaches. Like the thorough business man of the town or village he keeps a full set of books and at the end of the year he knows exactly how he stands. His barn is one of the most conveniently arranged in this section, the stables especially being the finest of any I have yet visited. The ceiling is two feet higher than the average, and so nicely lighted by windows that from any corner almost every very animal in the stable can be seen. The entire floor is of solid Queenston cement and is the pioneer of that kind in this section. Confined therein are about thirty head of cattle, thirty hogs and five or six horses. There are several fine thoroughbred short-horns, his favorite breed. There are also a number of splendid young steers which were raised on the farm, and several registered Durhams. Good feed is plentiful, and the stock is not denied the full amount required. The farm comprises 150 acres, forty acres of which is in good timber land, and ten acres of first class pasture land. The residence is a handsome stone structure and stands near the edge of a slight bluff overlooking the lovely pasture bottoms of Alder creek, a tributary of the river Nith. This stream, which winds its tortuous course through the Bettschen farm, derives its name from the numerous alderberry thickets along its banks. It never was dry in the summer season and the vicinity of its course is not unromantic. Away back in the past it teemed with speckled trout. We are reminded by the large number of flint arrow heads, stone hatchets, etc., found that here the Indians often pitched their tents to fish and hunt, and we imagine we see the thin blue smoke of their wood fires rising among the trees or the wily warriors spearing the finny tribe or chasing the deer, and dusky squaws with their papooses around the fire weaving baskets or perhaps, preparing some of the speckled beauties venison or bear meat for the midday meal. Some of their old stone foot bridges over this stream are still in existence. It is different now when nature discards the frosty mantle of winter for the green verdure of summer. Instead of a scene of savage life we see sleek cattle cropping the succulent blades of grass of a beautiful meadow and pale-faced pedestrians from the adjacent towns and villages coming out daily for recreation or in search of Indian relics or to angle for "shiners." The trout have long since become extinct in this stream, but flint arrowheads are occasionally found now. Mr. Bettschen several dozen of these relics at present, several of them being very fine specimens. He has also some family relics of rare value, one especially, in the shape of a book of general information, entitled, "Seretarins," printed 450 years ago, also a number of Alpine Mountain deer horns, one of which has been converted into a miniature smoke pipe. A remarkably clever piece of work in this this collection is a contrivance for unwinding yarn from the spindle. It is of several inches in dimensions, containing more then two dozen separate pieces and has ingeniously been perfectly put together inside a round half pint bottle. How this was accomplished is baffling to the ordinary mind. These were souvenirs given Mr. Bettschen's father by his friend in Switzerland. Mr. Bettschen was married about thirty-three years ago to Mary daughter of the late John Coply, of Nottingham, England. She was born in Nottingham in June, 1837, and as well as her husband, comes from long-lived ancestry. She came with her parents to this country some time in 1850. Her father was prominent contractor and was given a contract on the old Great Western, the first railroad constructed in western Canada. One day while engaged in this work near Dundas an embankment caved in and buried him in such a manner that it required several hours before the workmen succeeded in extricating him. How he escaped suffocation was a miracle to those who witnessed it. He was made a cripple for life, however. Mrs. Bettschen's mother died in 1882, aged 80 years. The father died on March 24, 1894, at the unusual age of 94 years. The Bettschen family consists of three daughters. Anna the eldest, is the wife of Nathaniel Clemens, of Neustadt, and Ellen and Alice are living at home The family are members of the U. B. church. The father has been quite active in Sunday-school work, having for years served as superindent of that branch of the church, and has also acted as Trustee for the latter and took an active part in temperance work during the existence of the Scott Act. In politics he has been a life-long Liberal and was always a warm supporter of the banner bearers of his party in this constituency. The beautiful brick and concrete block which adorns Front St. in the town nearby is the result of his energy and was erected by him in 1887. Mrs. Bettschen is entitled to particular consideration in this sketch. In addition to attending to her household duties and rearing her family she has at times taken her place in the field, when her husband, who has not been strong, physically, all his life, would succumb to overwork. To her is due a fair share of the credit for their success in reaching the comfortable position they now enjoy in their declining years. It may be interesting to many to note here that grandfather Bettschen and all his sons composed what was known as the Bettschen Band. Previous to coming to America they performed in the city of Paris, France. Upon their arrival in New York they had the opportunity of playing at a demonstration held in honor of the famous General La Fayette while on his visit to the United States. This band was finally the nucleus for the New Dundee band. The love of music has ever since been a prominent feature in this section. He has now in his possession and compiled by his own hands and brain, a Bible Chart. It is the result of over a quarter of a century of indefatigable study and research. It covers a canvas 3x13 feet, and is positively a most remarkable piece of work and no doubt when introduced to the public will be of untold benefit to Sabbath Sabbath schools for which it is more particularly intended. Mr. Bettschen manages to keep two hands employed the year round, a rule he has always adhered to. His foreman, Mr. John W. Stager, has been engaged with him now for nineteen consecutive years, and a young man, Mr. George Honly, for six years. The cultivation of fruit has also been a specialty on this farm. Some of the apples produced were among the collection in the Canadian exhibit at the World's Fair. There is also a fine grape arbor from which choice fruit is produced and small fruits are in abundance. H. N Waterloo County Chronicle , 4 May 1899, p.6,7

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 19 Sep 1867. David Bettschen died 13 Sep 1867 in Wilmot, 85 yrs, born in Avers, Reichenbach, Frutingen, Canton Bern, Switzerland, Came to Canada in 1825 with wife and 5 sons. [S213] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - Rosebank Community CC#4565 Internet Link. David Bettschen / 1782-1867 / Elizabeth Bruegger / his wife / 1770-1856 [S213] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - Rosebank Community CC#4565 Internet Link. Here is at rest in full hope / David Bettschen / born Sept A.D. 1782 / died Sept 13 A.D. 1867 [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div 2 Pg 16. David BETTSCHEN Farmer Switzerland Calvinist Elizabeth BETTSCHEN Switzereland Calvinist Elizabeth YURIACH? Switzerland Calvinist [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div 2 Pg 16.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - Sep 1782 - Avers, Reichenbach, Frutingen, Canon Bern, Switzerland Immigration - 1825 - , Ontario, Canada Occupation - farmer - 1852 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 13 Sep 1867 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Rosebank Community Cemetery, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth