Christian Badertscher

Christian Badertscher, a native of Switzerland, was born April 23, 1842. At the age of 13 he came to America with his parents, Peter and Anna Badertscher. After the death of his mother, he and his sister Anna were given a good home by Rev. John Moser, near Blufton, Ohio. On December 15, 1864 he married Mary Gratz, and to this union eleven children were born; Sara, David, Anna, Noah, infant son, John, Daniel, Otto, Silas, Samuel and Emma.

In 1874 he began studying for the ministry, graduating several years later from the Mission House near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. His first pastorate was in Iowa. He also preached in Findlay, Blufton, and several other places. On October 1, 1886, Rev. Badertscher accepted a call to St. Paul's church in St. Marys and served it faithfully for thirteen years.

Many times Rev. Badertscher and his sons went out to the reservoir, now called Lake St. Marys, and got logs out of the lake in order to have fuel for the church and the home. On December 24, 1899 he left St. Marys and again went to Blufton, serving in the church as substitute minister. This closed his career as a minister and he retired on account of dull hearing which afflicted him. Rev. Christian Badertscher died of pneumonia January 29, 1924 at the age of 81 years. Mrs. Badertscher died of cardiac dropsy November 15, 1925 at the age of 83 years. Rev. and Mrs. Badertscher have 88 direct descendants; 11 children, 27 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren. We owe our gratitude to our forefathers for a firm foundation where we may live a religious life and build a worthy character.

From the "Family History of Christian Badertscher," compiled in 1947.