Christian Rindlisbacher Sr

On Christmas Day of 1830, Peter and Barbara Mausli Rindlisbacher welcomed a little son into their humble home in Lutzelfluh, Bern, Switzerland.  They named him Christian.  Fitting don't you think? Christian born on Christmas?  

This little community is located in the western part of the country and a little to the north of the center from North to South.  The primary language spoken there is German.  It is an agricultural community.  25% of the area is covered with dense forests. In 2012, the population was 4,052.  Interesting tidbit for genealogical purposes.  Small town.  Not many out-of-towners.  Maybe I need to go over there and do some family history digging.  Ahh! If only I had the money and knew the language. 

Christian was a comedian. "They said he could dance with a glass of wine on top of his head.  He wold let go of his partner, go down on his knees" and do all sorts of tricks.  "He would step dance, at the same time swinging a broom handle back and forth between his legs.  He could sit on a small bench and keep bouncing it up and down for a time; suddenly he would swing himself around and be sitting on the bench the opposite way."  

Eventually he settled on entertaining one young lady.  Her name was Magdalena Schenk.  After courting, they were wed in the same little town he was born.  To their union 8 children were born (3 sons and 5 daughters).  Their first son, Johannes, died when he was only two years old.

When their second son, Christian, was seventeen years old, he became ill with the dropsy.  The doctors left him for dead.  His older sister, Mary, came home to take care of him.  She had been living in the city, and while there, had joined the LDS Church.  She hid a bottle of consecrated oil into her dress.  When no one was looking, she fed a drop or two at a time to her brother.  This helped.  About two months later, their uncle (Magdalena's brother), Samuel Schenk, stopped by.  He, too, had converted to the strange religion.  He was on his way to a meeting and had a feeling he needed to stop by.  Hesitantly, he offered to give him a blessing.  

Three days later, their family had to move from their home.  Their rent had expired.  Although Christian, Jr., was still weak, he was able to walk to their new home.

Christian was baptized on July 9, 1877.  The others quickly afterwards.  As soon as they became members of the church, the desire to join the saints in Utah took hold of them.  

The first one to emigrate was Christian, Jr.   He came over in 1884 and went to Providence, Cache County, Utah, where some of the Schenk's had settled.  He worked and paid off his emigration expenses.  In 1885 he sent for the two youngest girls, because their fare was the least amount.  The following year he sent for his father, mother, and other two siblings.  My 2nd great grandfather, Frederick, was one of them.  It took only one month to come via train. 

The family settled in Providence, Cache, Utah.  They worked hard and made a living by growing fruit and selling it in Logan. On February 18, 1886, Christian and Magdalena went to the Logan temple and were sealed for time and eternity.  It was a very special day for them.  Seven of their eight children, including Johannes, were sealed to them on this day as well.  

Christian passed away on July 4, 1899, at the age of 69 years.  He is buried in the Providence, Cache County, Cemetery. 

Sources for this post: Wikipedia.com (Lutzelfluh Switzerland), Christian Rindlisbacher Sr. found on familysearch.org, and documents I found and made digital copies of at the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.