6017 Ruswil - October/November 1982 No. 8
Dear relatives and cousins,
Dear members and friends of our family association,
Again I have the honor of writing the introductory word on the front page. If the association has held a meeting or an anniversary, it is easy for the pen and the framework for an introduction is already in place.
Neither one nor the other took place this year. So please allow me to deal a little with the word "association". When I open the dictionary and search for this word, I find the following explanation: Association = any kind of human grouping. This is a purely sociological aspect. But if you continue under this word in the lexicon, you will find: Association of doctors, farmers, craftsmen, etc. A number of associations fills an entire column. But a family association cannot be found. I wonder why?
If individual professionals were doing badly and individually they felt too weak, it was the logical conclusion or the urgent need to join together in a professional association in order to give more weight to the demands. A common socio-political goal drove them to found the association. However, our family association is neither political, nor has a bad situation of the association members prompted the establishment of our association. The actual driving force behind the founding of the association was a purely social as well as an ethical goal. One felt as a member of the Stirnimann family and sought contact with other members of the same family from other communities and cantons. On the other hand, there was an increased interest in the history and development of our family in order to determine the common origin. The realization of these two goals required the selfless commitment of ideally-minded people. Both goals have brought us a lot in the short history of the association. Allow us from the board organized meetings, you will find publications of new research results in every newsletter. And here I need it, and I believe that you also count yourself among them, our tireless researcher Prof. Dr. Josef Stirnimann we would like to express our most binding thanks to for his unparalleled and unselfish commitment to our family association. Because what we are today is to be a beautiful work. My conscience is calmer and happier today, because at the last meeting you gave the Executive Board the authority to use a certain annual contribution for research purposes. So we now have the opportunity to reimburse our researcher about the expenses that he had previously paid for years from his modest income, as a matter of course.
In this newsletter, the Stirnimann from Front-Etzenerlen family, a branch of the Ruswil family that is still developing strongly today, is presented. Our founding and honorary president Hans Stirnimann-Haupt comes from this family. - The contribution "Two cousins - two artists" shows the common ancestry and the talent that can be explained by this of two important artists.
The fact that the last newsletter was met with a great response is proven by the smooth payment of the association contribution from all members, which may well be thanks. Special thanks are due to those who have generously increased the amount to 15, 20, 50 or even 100 francs.
Year after year, our actuary, Miss Heidi Stirnimann, Stans, sacrifices many free hours in order to write the newsletter perfectly and neatly. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank her again.
The extended board will meet in October to discuss in detail another family reunion in 1983. If they decide that, you will be informed in good time.
As new members we can welcome in our association:
Mr. Josef Buchmann-Hartung, Kreuzwegstrasse, 4657 Dulliken/SO
Mr. lic.jur. Pius Buchmann-Brunner, Dahlienstr. 17, 6020 Emmenbrücke
Ms. Cile Schedler-Stirnimann, Schwalbenstr. 16, 9202 Gossau / SG
Mrs. Maria Rösch-Stirnimann, Horwerstr. 28, 6010 Kriens
Ms. Rosmarie Helfenstein-Stirnimann, Udelbodenstr. 77, 6014 Littau
Ms. Antoinette Steiger-Stirnimann, Grünauring 18, 6014 Littau
Mrs. Elsbeth Arnold-Stirnimann, Tannenstr. 16, 4600 Olten
Fam. Walter Häfliger-Stirnimann, Eichenstr. 20, 6015 Reussbühl
Mrs. Hedy Muff-Stirnimann, Mettenwilstr. 2, 6203 Sempach Station
May I again ask you to pay in the annual fee of CHF 10 using the enclosed payment slip.
I remain with best wishes for the remainder of 1982 and best regards
The President:
Josef Stirnimann
Genealogy, carried out correctly .. not only donates incense, but is also able to penetrate into the as yet unprocessed historical material .... The history of the individual family is much more illuminating than the history of the nation
Marion von Dönhoff
*********
The Stirnimann family from Front-Etzenerlen
A branch of the Ruswil family
Signs and Abbreviations:
* means before 1834: baptized, after 1834: born
m. = married = I. First marriage; II. = 2nd marriage)
d. = died
Juch = Juchart (s) Gl = Gulden
if there are several first names, the first name is underlined
In addition to the Roth with its venerable parent family, the origins and past of the family of Stirnimann from Ruswil and Neuenkirch have not been so closely connected with any other location and area since the beginning of the 17th century as with Etzenerlen, whose courtyards are located on the northern slope of the Ruswil mountain over a length of about two kilometers. The first owner of Etzenerlen from our family was Peter (m. Maria Süöss), a son of the progenitor Peter (m. Adelheid Hircher) who moved to Roth. Peter came to Etzenerlen in 1624, presumably by marriage, and died there on January 8, 1668 without descendants. His only surviving brother, Hans Jakob (m. Barbara Bücher), inherited the farm, which comprised most of today's Etzenerlen and was rounded off and repeatedly divided by the descendants through further purchases.
Thanks to favorable circumstances, the official ensign Joseph Stirnimann (1706-1786, m. Anna Hüsler from Huprächtigen) managed to acquire all of the farms and properties in what is now front, middle and rear Etzenerlen one last time, albeit for a short time to merge. From his father, the official man Hans Jakob (1683-1754, m. Rosina Eggenschwiler), he owned the Sässhof in what is now Rear-Etzenerlen to the extent of 154 Juch. land and 12 Juch. inherited forest. In 1776, by asserting his right of first refusal as a relative, he acquired the adjoining farm from the brothers Johann, Joseph, Leonz and Heinrich Stirnimann (grandson of his great-uncle Walter St.), which with his 83 Juch. land comprised most of today's Middle- and Front-Etzenerlen.
The buyer paid for this farm, plus 12.5 Juch. forest belonged, the considerable sum of 6'418 Gl. For his eldest son Peter, who had come of age, the official ensign had the neighboring 18 Juch in 1762. land and 3.5 yrs. acquired a forest-keeping home in Buchmatt.
The official Joseph Stirnimann-Hüsler is the progenitor of almost all members of our family who live in Ruswil today or who are entitled to their home.
The descendants of the earlier family Stirnimann from Saal, who descend from Sebastian (m. A.M. Bühler), a brother of Joseph St.-Hüsler, as well as the families Joseph Stirnimann-Wälchli and Hans Stirnimann-Schenkermayr, who were originally naturalized in Gettnau-Ettiswil, leave the Saal.
The baptismal register of the Ruswil parish lists ten children of the married couple Joseph and Anna Stirnimann-Hüsler. Five of these sons grew up, three of whom shared the farms inherited from their father in Etzenerlen:
Peter * November 28, 1742, d. September 26, 1790, m. I 1767 A.M. Barbara Meyer; m. II 1779 A.M. Barbara Zwinggi. Received the Buchmatt, bought the Halterhus in 1769. Offspring in Upper Merzenberg (1864-1906), in Oberkirch (Frühauf since 1906), Nottwil (Ob. Bernern and Studen).
Joseph * January 12, 1745, d. January 9, 1821 (unmarried). Tax investor, is bought out by his brothers for 5,000 G1.
Matthias * May 21, 1746, d. May 1, 1795, 0m. 1768 A.M. Buhlmann. Took over the Rear-Etzenerlen farm at the age of 74. Land and 5.5 Juch. forest.
Johann Jakob, * May 19, 1749, d. Rothenburg July 2, 1826, 1789 Crescentia Krauer from Rothenburg. Took over the Middle-Etzenerlen farm at the age of 74. Land 9 Juch forest. In 1797 sold the farm for 18,264 Gl and acquired the Ottenrüti Rothenburg farm.
Sebastian * January 20th, 1754, d. August 2nd, 1835, 1787 Anna Maria Küng. Took over the farm Front-Etzenerlen with 83 Juch. land and 10 Juch forest.
In the following, we will focus on the latter, his descendants and his court. When Sebastian Stirnimann-Küng took over the Front Etzenerlen farm, according to the purchase protocol, it included a house, a barn, a warehouse and the following properties;
Herb and tree garden 1 Juch
the Haldenweld 8 Juch
the Poker mat 20 Juch
the Mätteli 3 Juch
the Spyr or Krom mat 10 Juch
the Balmweid 8 Juch
the Goat laugh 4 Juch
the Kalberweidli 2 Juch
the Winter sites 10 Juch
the Cattle pasture 8 Juch
the reason 2 Juch
the Luogisland 7 Juch
Total 83 Juch
The last old granary in all of Etzenerlen is in Front-Etzenerlen. Peter Stirnimann, who later became the official, left it to his stepbrother Walter when they split up in 1684. The year 1644 is written on the lintel. The following inscription was placed on the upper floor of the main front:
Without effort or work this reservoir is too big and wide, with sweat and diligence you can fill the memory.
The upper storey and roof structure of the warehouse were unfortunately rebuilt and disfigured after the last world war, whereby the meaningful inscription was lost.
The small path chapel that stood near the granary was unfortunately torn down in the 1920s and replaced with a cross. Fortunately, the painting of the 14 helpers that adorned the chapel was preserved.
Sebastian married Anna Maria Küng (* November 4, 1770, d. ...), daughter of Konrad Anton Küng (1733-1813), farmer in Elischwand, and Elisabeth Achermann of Nottwil (presumably from Iflikon) in 1787. Konrad A. Küng, who lived in Soppensee, acquired the Elischwand farm in 1768, which his descendants still own today. Sebastian and Anna Maria Stirnimann-Küng had six sons, four of whom died immediately after birth; only the oldest and the youngest grew up and reached old age:
Sebastian Anton Xaver * December 19, 1790, d. May 29, 1866, m. February 12, 1811 Anna Maria Meyer
Matthias * May 19, 1792, d.
Matthias * 7.4.1794, d.
Sebastian Konrad * April 24, 1797, d.
Konrad Sebastian * October 16, 1799, d.
Matthias Joseph Alois * 7.3.1801, d. Front-Etzenerlen September 26th, 1887 (single)
The son Sebastian Anton Xaver was luckier than his father. His wife Anna Maria Meyer of the Oberen Schwärzi, daughter of Leonz and Anna Meyer, gave him 15 children, of which the following 11 grew up and, with the exception of two, reached old age:
Sebastian Joseph Xaver * December 21st, 1811, d. Nottwil (Stockschürli) April 26th, 1876, m. I 1843 Kath. Hofstetter; m. II 1855 Rosa Stirnimann. Acquired the Stockschürli home in Nottwil.
Anna Maria Aloisia * April 20, 1813, d. Rüediswil October 29, 1887, m. 1853 Joseph Stöckli, from Luthern.
Sebastian Joseph Xaver * December 16, 1814, d. Ruswil (Sonnenbergli July 16, 1888, m. 1856 Maria Schriber. Acquired the Ober-Sonnenbergli home).
Anna Maria Barbara Josepha * September 18, 1816, d. Etzenerlen February 6, 1853 (single).
Matthias Joseph Xaver * April 14th, 1820, d. Middle-Etzenerlen July 11th, 1888, m. 1851 Maria Burkart. Acquired part of the Middle-Etzenerlen farm.
Maria Rosa * October 23, 1822, d. Rear-Etzenerlen April 14, 1845, m. 1844 Matthias Stirnimann, farmer in Rear-Etzenerlen (his 2nd wife: Katharina Bernet).
Konrad Joseph Alois * May 21, 1823, d. Ruswil (Meierhöfli) September 11, 1888, m. 1844 Maria Hofstetter.
Joseph Alois (m. Anna Erni) - A
Joseph Alois Moritz [Katharina Muff) - B
Joseph Leonz (00M. Josepha Brun) - C
All seven sons became farmers. Joseph (m. Anna Erni) and Moritz (m. Kath. Muff) shared their father's farm on May 9, 1865. Joseph received 43 Juch. land and 6 Juch. forest and built a new house; Moritz received 46 Juch. land and 4 Juch. forest and the old house; this was destroyed by a conflagration on July 17, 1873 and replaced by a new building in the style of that time (today's house of the Sigrist family). The other five sons were bought out and acquired the properties mentioned above. Only the three brothers Joseph, Moritz and Leonz have male descendants to this day, whose family tables follow here:
A. Joseph Alois * May 25, 1827, d. July 14, 1905
Farmer in Front-Etzenerlen (above house) m. 1861 Anna Erni (1830-1894), from Ruswil, daughter of Xaver Erni and Regina Bühlmann
Children:
Elisabeth * November 23, 1861, d. ... m. 1887 Alois Häfliger
Sebastian * March 5, 1853, d. Front-Etzenerlen March 21, 1946 (single)
Maria * March 5, 1864, d. March 27, 1865
Joseph * August 6th, 1865, d. January 27th, 1868
Maria * 2.9.1866, d. Front-Etzenerlen April 13, 1914
Katharina * April 24th, 1868, d. ... m. 1910 Joh. Waller, of Root Joseph * October 12th, 1870, d. Front-Etzenerlen May 1st, 1877 (Scharlach) Franz Xaver
1) Franz Xaver * December 20th, 1872, d. Luzern (Kant. Spital) August 1st, 1953 farmer in Front-Etzenerlen m. 1915 Maria Kath. Rast (1875-1951), from Ruswil, daughter of Heinrich Rast and Kath. Bannwart
1 son:
Joseph
2) Joseph * May 16, 1916, d. Luzern (canton hospital) April 13, 1949 farmer in Front-Etzenerlen (upper house) m. 1938 Anna Maria Wolfisberg (* 11.1.1919) of Meienberg / AG, daughter of Albert Wolfisberg and Maria Estermann (cvII 1951 Al. Bucher of Ruswil)
Children:
Joseph Erwin * 25.10.1940, m. 1964 Rita Hedwig Ebnöther Magaziner, Hellbühl Franz Xaver * 21.12.1942, m. 1965 Anna Suter, Farmer in Front-Etzenerlen (above house)
Annamarie * April 24, 1944, m. 1962 Maurizio Euclide Nunzio
Dora Agnes * January 31, 1946
Moritz * January 12th, 1948, m. 1969 Käthy Albisser Chauffeur, Hochdorf
B. Joseph Alois Moritz * 22.9.1829, d. 16.10.1904 farmer in Front-Etzenerlen d. 1861 Katharina Muff (1837-1901), from Nottwil, daughter of Heinrich Muff and Anna Bachmann
Children:
Maria Katharina * December 13th, 1861, t1933, 0: 1891 Melchior Richenberger, Cham Maria Josepha * December 13th, 1863, t February 15th, 1951, parish cook in Buchrain
Anna Rosa * 23.3.1865, t31.8.1946, housemaid in Windbühl Moritz Anton * 28.2.1866, t27.4.1939 (ailing since 1920)
Aloisia Katharina * July 1st, 1867, tOberkirch October 13th, 1929, 00Johann Kottmann, Oberkirch
Sebastian Johann - 1
Joseph - 2
Jost - 3
1) Sebastian Johann * June 11th, 1868, d. Windbühl April 13th, 1930 Farmer in Windbühl since 1902, orphan bailiff, mayor, managing director of the Ruswil Agricultural Cooperative, Grand Councilor m. 1902 Anna Kath. Gen. Nanette Meier (1875-1961) of Wolhusen, daughter of Joseph Meier and Anna Duss (obituary!)
Children:
Josephine Anna (Josy) * 7.1.1904, Germany March 16, 1980, m. 1931
Johann Rogger Johann Joseph - 4
Anna * May 19, 1907, m. 1931 Balthasar Erni
Marie * 6.1.1909
2) Joseph * April 17th, 1870, d. Edelweiss September 30th, 1932
Cheese maker in Altmoos, 1930 village cheese maker in Wolhusen, since 1902 farmer in Front-Etzenerlen. Sells the property in 1930 and acquires the "Edelweiss" house in the village of Ruswil. Church council. m. 1900 Sophie Meier (1873-1943) of Wolhusen, daughter of Joseph Meier and Anna Duss
Children:
Sophie Margaritha * 1 .3.1903, m. 1926 Johann Bachmann, from Ruswil
Josephine Frieda * 6/8/1905, m. 1930 Anton Grüter, from Rothenburg
Maria * 7/7/1907, m. 1935 Emil Schaller, from Hasle and Schüpfheim Bertha * 7/14/1913, d. 4/11/1913
Moritz Joseph - 5
3) Jost * December 11th, 1875, d. Rosengarten February 13th, 1947. Teacher of the comprehensive school Etzenerlen 1898-1903, teacher of the boys secondary school Ruswil 1903-1940 (obituary!) m. 1905 Bertha Hodel (1882-1955), from Egolzwil, daughter of Johann Hodel and Marianna Huber
Children:
Bertha * February 22nd, 1906, d. June 24th, 1908
Joseph. - ›6
Bertha * June 7th, 1911, m. 1942 Bernhard Johann Amrein
Johann - ›7
4 (from 1) Johann Joseph * April 16, 1905, d. Luzern (St. Anna Clinic) March 14, 1968 Farmer in Windbühl, Managing Director of the Agricultural Cooperative, Mayor, Member of the Board of Switzerland. Farmers' association (obituary!). m. 1937 Marie Grüter (1914-1979), from Goldschrüti, daughter of Johann Grüter and Marie Grüter
Children:
Marie Lotty * March 24th, 1938, m. 1963 Heinrich Delb, Dr. phil. Marie Louise * February 28, 1940, m. 1967 Adolf Meyer
Johann Moritz * October 30, 1942, m. 1970 Elisabeth Bucher Margrith Theres * January 1, 1945, m. 1974 Thomas Alois Widmer
5 (from 2) Moritz Joseph * September 16, 1917
Magaziner, Ruswil, Schlosshalde 5. m. 1946 Lina Roos (1918-1976), of Romoos, daughter of Joseph Roos and Maria Lustenberger
Children:
Moritz Joseph * December 6, 1948, Edith Fehr m. 1975
Marie-Theres * May 25, 1951, Anton Meier m. 1971, of Schötz Franz * March 10, 1955
Urs Alois * December 29, 1957
Rita Maria * 7.1.1962
6 (from 3) Joseph * March 14, 1908 Dr. med. vet., Veterinarian, Ruswil. m. 1940 Theresia Schüpfer (* 26.1.1916), of Sempach and Neuenkirch, daughter of Alois Schüpfer and Anna Maria Schmidli
Children:
Adelheid Anna * August 16, 1941, m. 1965 Franz Hatheyer
Theresia * December 29, 1943, m. 1969 Ernst Karl Staub, Dr. med., Triengen Pia * December 31, 1945, m. 1971 Urs Rudolf of Rohr
Joseph * March 23, 1947, Dr. med. vet., Veterinarian, Ruswil, m. Adelheid Maurer
7 (from 3) Johann * March 18, 1916. Retired primary school teacher, President of the Ruswil parish. m. 1943 Hedwig Agatha Haupt (* 11.4.1918), from Regensberg, daughter of Friedrich Haupt and Agatha Bächler
Children:
Gertrud * October 6th, 1944, m. 1974 Peter Hänny, from Köniz Johann * January 22nd, 1947, community clerk, Neuenkirch m. 1973 Erna Helfenstein
Franz Walter * 6.2.1949, federal civil servant, Bern, m. 1972 Christine Müller
Markus * 27.5.1955
C. Joseph Leonz * April 5th, 1836, d. June 12th, 1914 Farmer in Rüediswil, in the Rüdelmatt. m. 1856 Maria Josepha Brun (1837-71), of Wolhusen, daughter of Joseph Brun and Anna Hafner
Children: (of 12 the following grew up):
Anna * 22.1.1858, d. ... m. 1890 Fridolin Heinrich Albisser, Geuensee Maria Josepha * 18.2.1859, d. ... m. 1880 Niklaus Renggli, Entlebuch Joseph Leonz * 29.5.1861, d. 16.1.1890 (nerve fever)
Leonz Anton - 1
Edward - 2
Sophie Aloisia * April 20, 1865, d. ... m. 1895 Joseph Rogger, Buttisholz
Aloisia called Philomena * June 20, 1867, d. Oberkirch September 15, 1914,. m. 1897 Johann Stirnimann, Upper-Merzenberg
1) Leonz Anton * 8/18/1862, d. Buttisholz 8/8/1930. Since 1921 farmer in Buttisholz, in the candle house. Renounced citizenship of Ruswil, since 1.12.1941 citizen of Buttisholz. m. 1907 Maria Josepha Brunner * June 22nd, 1872, d. ... of Neuenkirch, widow of Jakob Imbach, of Nottwil, daughter of Jakob Brunner and Katharina Müller
Children:
Joseph Leonz - 3
Josephine * January 14, 1913, d. July 16, 1913
2) Eduard * December 7, 1863, d. Oberkirch June 30, 1905 Farmer in Oberkirch m. 1896 Maria Anna Faden (* October 1, 1875, d. ...), of Menznau, daughter of Joseph Faden and Maria Brühlmann (m. II 1909 Johann Birrer, von Luthern)
Children:
Edward - 4
Joseph * Ruswil (Rüdelmatt) September 16, 1899, d. Oberkirch July 31, 1902
Anna * Ruswil (Etzenerlen) October 4, 1901, d. Ruswil (Etzenerlen) February 20, 1902
Maria * Oberkirch November 23, 1902, m. 1934 Beat Jos. Zeltner, from Niederbuchsiten
Joseph - 5
3 (from 1) Joseph Leonz * Ruswil March 15, 1909 Farmer in Buttisholz, in the candle house. m. 1933 Frieda Emma Schwendimann (* May 15, 1914), from Buchrain, daughter of Karl Schwendimann and Emerentia Roos
Children:
Frieda Marie * 8/20/1934, m. 1958 Hans Pfister of Grosswangen, in Emmenbrücke
Joseph * November 29, 1935, d. November 30, 1935
Rosa * July 6, 1937, m. 1960 Anton Büchler, Nottwil
Joseph * 8.2.1939, farmer in Buttisholz, m. 1972 Marie Anna Krummenacher
Franz Niklaus * 9.5.1940, chauffeur, in Buttisholz, m. 1968 Marie-Louise Lütolf
Johann Alfred * September 6, 1942, farmer, in Canada, m. 1963 Klara Häfliger
Alois * April 28, 1944, chauffeur, m. 1969 Lina Bättig
Elisabeth * July 11th, 1945, m. 1977 Franz Xaver Vogel from Willisau-Land and Dagmersellen, Willisau
Marie Theresia * December 29, 1946, m. 1967 Rob. Walter Fischer from Ruswil, Buttisholz
Martha Margaritha * April 26th, 1949, m. 1973 Joh. Bernhard Lütolf, from Willisau-Land, Willisau
4 (from 2) Eduard * Ruswil (Rüdelmatt) June 28, 1897, d. Rothenburg May 6, 1979, machinist, excavator operator m. 1919 Marie Aegerter (* December 24th, 1896), from Röthenbach / BE, daughter of Gottlieb Aegerter and Elisabeth Herbst
Children:
Eduard * Ruswil 9.3.1920, m. I 1947 Anna Fuchs (d. 30.6.1960), m. II 1961 Marianne Leuthold, Hotelier, Hotel Beau-Site, Adelboden
Marie * Ruswil 13.3.1921, m. 1948 Peter Zehnder, from Zimmerwald / BE
Joseph * Ruswil October 1, 1924, m. 1955 Marie Elisabeth Greber, of Schätz, community clerk, Rothenburg
5 (from 2) Joseph * Oberkirch August 30, 1904, d. ... 1966
m. 933 Marie Antoinette Morel (* 19.10.1905), from Chatillon sur Chalaronne (France), daughter of Pierre More]. and Marie Claudine Gregoire
Children:
Marie Joseph Julie Anne * La Fouillouse (France) December 14, 1935, tebd. December 24, 1935
Noül Pierre * Saint Etienne (France) December 24, 1934, m. 1958 Paulette Jacqueline Berger
Marie Joseph Julie Thdrüse * La Fouillouse (F) 21.8.1937 Madeleine Lucienne Marie * Fontaine sur Saöne 18.5.1941
* * *
From obituaries
Johann Stirnimann-Meier, Councilor and Mayor, Ruswil, 1868-1930,
On Palm Sunday morning our bells announced the mourning message over the mountains and valleys that the mayor and councilor Johann Stirnimann had succumbed to the consequences of the accident that had happened to him the previous Wednesday. The population was filled with fear when this bitter news became known. Mayor Stirnimann was busy cleaning trees in the field. He fell from a very small height and the result of the fall was a complicated broken leg at the ankle. On the same evening, the bailiff Stirnimann was transferred to the St. Anna sanatorium in Lucerne. But serious complications quickly set in and on the following Friday there was serious fear for him. There were severe Passion sufferings that the deceased had to savor during these hours.
Mayor J. Stirnimann was born in 1868 in Etzenerlen, Ruswil. When he was about 30 years old, he acquired the Windbühl property near the village. Shortly beforehand, he was appointed managing director of the Ruswil Agricultural Cooperative, which was newly founded at that time. He also became a judge at the former Ruswil District Court. Mr. Stirnimann was also a co-founder of Volksbank Ruswil and a member of the board of directors until his death. In 1913, the citizens' trust appointed him to the municipal council. At the same time he was given the office of bailiff. As a representative of the conservative party, he moved to the Grand Council in 1923, where he was a member of several commissions over the years. He was also a board member of the farmers' association and president of the Ruswil-Dorf cheese cooperative. - It will be the responsibility of someone close to him to describe the services of the deceased to the common good.
(Anzeiger vom Rottal, April 14, 1930)
Jost Stirnimann, former secondary school teacher, Ruswil, 1875-1947
On February 17, 1947, his relatives, his large relatives, and indeed the whole community, stood by the fresh grave of old secondary school teacher Jost Stirnimann. About a month ago he called all of his family members, children and grandchildren to his home and said a touching farewell to them. "I have to die," he told them. He made the holy sign of the cross on everyone's forehead, blessed them all and began to weep. Leaving such beautiful circumstances seemed difficult to him. But nevertheless he looked calmly and composed towards his fate and everything and everything he did in order and at the right time. "Order your house because you have to die!" And he ordered his house. He was still sane and two days later his consciousness was disturbed. His heart condition continued to worsen, and on February 13th he was gently slumbering over to eternity.
Old secondary school teacher Stirnimann spent his youth up in Etzenerlen. It was there that he saw the light of day on December 11, 1875. There he also attended school and then worked on the farm. When he entered the teachers' college, he was 19 years old. He also got his first job as a teacher in Etzenerlen. There he worked from 1898 to 1903. In the meantime he had passed the secondary school teacher examination and took over the boys' secondary school in Ruswil. He led this until 1940. For more than 40 years, the secondary school teacher Stirnimann was in the school service and during this long time he made great contributions to the people and home. For many years he was President of the Ruswil Local Conference, Vice President of the District Conference and President of the Ruswil Section of the Catholic Teachers' Association. When the village schoolhouse was being built at the time, he was a busy member of the building commission. Outside of school, too, people appreciated his excellent qualities. For years he was president of the Cecilia Society and the Theater Society. Since 1930 he was also a member of the board of directors of Volksbank Ruswil, having previously acted as an auditor since the bank was founded. His good knowledge of people and his clear judgment were also valued in these circles.
Despite the large and varied demands from schools and the general public, secondary school teacher Stirnimann found time to take care of his beautiful family life at home. At the age of 30 he married Fräulein Berta Hodel of Buttisholz. The young couple initially lived in Windbühl. Later they bought the rose garden and here they built an exemplary family happiness with a dear family. Father Stirnimann went his way day after day, safe and comfortable, calm and agreeable, loved and respected by everyone who knew him and worked with him. He would have loved to stay with his family, happy children and grandchildren. The Lord of life and death had planned it differently and he will richly reward him for what he has done in life. Secondary school teacher Stirnimann rest in God's holy peace! We extend our condolences to the mourning families, especially his good wife.
(Anzeiger vom Rottal, February 21, 1947)
* * *
Hans Stirnimann, former mayor, Ruswil, 1905-1968
On March 14th, Hans Stirnimann-Grüter, managing director and former mayor of Ruswil, died after a long illness at the age of 63. Those that did not know the depths and breadths of the deceased's life had taken root, was able to experience this in shocking impressiveness at the funeral ceremony on March 18. No part of our population did not feel most painfully affected by this death and showed the need to express it with emotion. This is all the more impressive as the deceased never felt any desire in his life to gain the favor of his fellow men in a cheap way. He denied himself empty promises and words, the truth of which he could neither in his heart nor in fact vouch for. And he saw through those of his large circle of acquaintances, to whom the word came too quickly and beautifully from their lips, and remained loyal to those who, like himself, were exact about incorruptibility. Perhaps that this incorruptibility and loyalty were deeply rooted in his peasant nature.
Hans Stirnimann was a farmer all his life, even if the external activity made this fact forgotten. But he never forgot that he was the son of an old peasant family; and until the end was his care for the field and its fruit. In working on his farm, he may well have adopted a law that guided him in all his public and business positions, which consisted of using common sense to examine things, make a decision, and then act energetically and purposefully. In addition to this virtue of wisdom, to which he owed his successes, there was a firm Christian faith that humbled him and always reminded him that a life that is exhausted in external success and in the search for material happiness is in truth can not be rich.
Equipped with these human and spiritual gifts, Hans Stirnimann takes on his outer path, which makes him bigger than average
Successes led. But also to great burdens and responsibilities. For 25 years he was given the job of succeeding his father, who died too early, in the position of managing director of the agricultural cooperative in Ruswil. It is difficult to estimate how much mental and physical energy of the deceased in the nearly 40 years of his business leadership to this task, which he made his very personal. Agricultural organizations in Central Switzerland and all Switzerland made use of his experience early on, which he acquired in the daily small-scale work as a farmer and businessman. He was a member of the board of the Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Central Switzerland and President of their welfare fund. As a board member of the Swiss Farmers' Association and President of the Control Board of the Central Switzerland Milk Association, he served the interests of the broadest farming circles. - It is only possible to hint at what Hans Stirnimann achieved for his home community. It is easy to list all of his honorable public offices: 1937 president of the accounting commission, 1950 to 1966 mayor, one legislative term in the grand council. But this list, which could be continued - the deceased was among other things a member of the board of the Ruswil-Dorf cheese cooperative and since 1961 Chairman of the Board of Directors of Volksbank Ruswil AG - this list of offices only marks the visible stages in his life and what lies in between and behind it, can only be judged by those who lived in his immediate vicinity. Especially the office of the mayor, with its whole bundle of duties, demands a man, and it really demands him completely. A proud row of public buildings testify to his successful administration. This is how Hans Stirnimann became a personality who is difficult to imagine the community without. Not only that he leaves gaps in the offices. You will miss the man in him who knew good advice, a wise and moderate word and who therefore asked many people for advice and got it.
But not only does the general public mourn one of their best. In the Windbühl people mourn their husband, father and brother. The wound that was inflicted here goes deep, as the closest relatives were able to find out again and again that the deceased had never forgotten all his strength during his public and social efforts, that he belonged to the last of his family and wanted to work for them. It is comforting for her to know that her love met his love.
We honor the deceased as a person who in an exemplary manner was concerned not to live his rich life for himself, but to put it at the service of his fellow men. We thank him for this beyond the grave.
(Fatherland, April 19, 1968)
Heinrich Dell
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Country inn "Eintracht" in Rüediswil
Most of the members of our association know and appreciate the country inn "Eintracht" with its magnificent hall in Rüediswil from our conferences. The long-time landlord Josef Stirnimann-Wälchli, who died unexpectedly on September 17, 1981, had not long before his death sold the inn to his son Josef, who is in a managerial position for an airline in Hong Kong, in the board catering department, i.e. for the catering of guests in Aircraft as well as for the entire staff. The son leased the inn to Mr. Ruedi Steurer-Weber, who had previously been the host of the "Bären" in Ruswil. Mrs. Olga Stirnimann-Wälchli continued to run the business until the end of 1982, and from July 31st the Steurer-Weber couple took over. We are pleased that the family's "unity" is being preserved. We wish Mrs. Olga Stirnimann-Wälchli, who together with her unforgettable husband led the inn to success and reputation, in her house "Landidyll" at Rüediswilerstrasse 79 a peaceful and happy retirement.
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A good, noble person who lives with us cannot be taken from us; it leaves a glowing trail like those extinguished stars whose image the earth's inhabitants can still see centuries later.
Thomas Carlyle
Scottish writer
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Whoever has to look after fields and animals wears a crown, humble as it is.
Ernst Wiechert
German writer
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One can only get older to be milder.
Goethe
Family tree
The Stirnimann family
Front-Etzenerlen branch in Ruswil
Two cousins - two artists
Franz Stirnimann and Heinrich Danioth
Our 3rd circular (1977), which was dedicated to the Stirnimann of Neuenkirch family, a branch of the Ruswil family, reported in detail on Franz Stirnimann (1885-1961, m. Johanna Baumgartner), the founder of the internationally known construction machinery factory Franz Stirnimann AG in Olten. In this newsletter, our attention is directed to his son, the industrialist Franz Stirnimann. From the beginning he expressed his special interest and goodwill to our association. We are proud to count the Olten industrialists among the first members and patrons of our family association. Our board of directors was able to welcome him repeatedly as a guest in Ruswil. We got to know and appreciate Franz Stirnimann as a lovable and humble person.
An artist and his discovery
Franz Stirnimann is an artist of international repute. There are manufacturers who made a name for themselves as art collectors and sponsors of the Arts. However, the fact that a successful and busy factory owner is also a highly talented painter and sculptor is likely to be very rare. Franz Stirnimann has been drawing and painting since early childhood. Even after taking over his father's business, he quietly worked on the easel and workbench without the public having any closer knowledge. How he discovered and rose to an internationally acclaimed artist almost overnight sounds like a fairy tale. An Olten magistrate happened to walk past the construction machinery factory in Stirnimann and noticed interesting structures in the factory area that could not be construction machines. He entered the factory and gained access to the unknown artist's studio. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the abundance of fascinating iron sculptures and paintings. “Such an artist has no right to remain unknown” said the mayor of Olten. In November 1971 the first exhibition of the works of Franz Stirnimann took place in the Olten town hall. The exhibition was a cultural event for Olten and the region the iron sculptures and paintings that had been created for decades in the immediate vicinity, away from the public art scene. Franz Stirnimann was 56 years old when he was discovered.
Exhibition in Lex Baux in Provence
Not long after the breakthrough in Olten, our artist received the most honorable invitation from the curator of the museums in the southern French city of Les Baux to hold the first exhibition in the 17th century Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, which was opened as a gallery. This took place from April 14th to May 27th 1973. The exhibition, the first that Franz Stirnimann held in France, not only impressed connoisseurs and enthusiasts, it also met with a strong response from the population. The southern French press spoke of an artistic discovery and was full of praise for the extraordinary formal beauty and the poetry of the sculptures and pictures. "C'est un grand artist", "This is a great artist!", Read in three leading newspapers in Provence.
A master of surrealism
The artistic work of the Olten industrialist is committed to surrealism. This is an art movement whose followers try to represent the reality hidden in and behind things with the help of the forces of the subconscious (dreams, visions). The surrealist wants to express the essence of things, their meaning and deep content directly, without going through the representational. This artistic movement spread from France around 1921. The iron sculptures and pictures by Franz Stirnimann reveal an absolute certainty in dealing with form, material and interior design. As a sculptor, he loves shaping iron, welding and forging. He collects pieces of iron, screws, rivets, giant nails, wires and many other things from the waste from his factory. His sculptures surprise with an inexhaustible wealth of ideas.
Instead of canvas, the artist uses chipboard for his pictures. He first primes the surfaces to be painted, then applies a viscous filler, whereby the surfaces already receive their relief-like structure. The reliefs are painted over and then washed out to achieve patina-like effects. The artist designs this picture base
further, using a wide variety of materials such as sand, gravel, stone and the like.
A relative of the Uri painter Heinrich Danioth
Very few people know that Franz Stirnimann is a close relative of the great Uri painter, graphic artist and poet Heinrich Danioth. The artist belonged to the generation of painters who lived in Uri which shaped Swiss art two decades before 1950. Like his cousin in Olten, Danioth also struggled incessantly for the meaning and reality that are hidden behind the visible and tangible appearance of things. But unlike Franz Stirnimann, he always remained committed to the objective. Danioth is the profound explorer and interpreter of the landscape and the inhabitant of his homeland, the undisputed most important artist Uri has produced to this day.
The painter Heinrich Danioth was born on May 1st, 1896 in Altdorf. The father, Balz Danioth (1866 1954) was a watchmaker by profession. He had no understanding of the artistic inclinations of his gifted son and resolutely opposed his wish to become a painter. The friends and biographers agree that Heinrich Danioth inherited artistic talent mainly from his mother Babette Kupper (1866-1948). She was the daughter of watchmaker Niklaus Kupper (1823-1897) in Sempach, with whom Balz Danioth had trained. The courtship Danioth had made his lesson. Niklaus Kupper's wife was and this is what interests us above all - Barbara Bernarda Stirnimann (1835-1871), a daughter of Bernhard Stirnimann (1808-1889, m. Barbara Schaller), the miller in Gottsmänigen in the Neuenkirch community. As the family table below shows, he was the common great-grandfather of the painter Heinrich Danioth and the industrialist Franz Stirnimann. Barbara Bernarda Kupper-Stirnimann, the grandmother of Heinrich Danioth, and Franz Stirnimann-Forster (1844-1904), master baker in Lucerne, the grandfather of the industrialist and artist Franz Stirnimann, were siblings.
What separates and what in common
Our two artists may be so different in terms of their origins, their occupations, their external living conditions, their ideas of art and the work they have created, but the honesty and unconditionality with which both understand their artistic mission, but just as much betray a feeling for the spiritual and the subtle, across the common bonds of blood, an unmistakable spiritual kinship. We wish Franz Stirnimann as rich a harvest of artistic creativity as his great cousin Heinrich Danioth.
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The relationship between the industrialist Franz Stirnimann from Olten and the painter Heinrich Danioth from Uri
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We congratulate
Thomas Stirnimann, son of our board member Josef Stirnimann-Greber, Rothenburg, passed the Swiss Matura, type C, at the Reussbühl canton school with great success. Professional studies: probably biology.
Moritz Stirnimann, son of Moritz Stirnimann-Affolter, Lucerne, passed the Swiss Matura, type B, at the canton school Beromünster with great success. Professional studies: probably philosophy.
Fräulein Adelheid Stirnimann, daughter of Thomas Stirnimann-Meyerhans, Walchwil, finished her training as a social worker at the School for Social Work in Lucerne with an excellent diploma (October 1, 1982)
Miss Nina Stirnimann, formerly Saalhof, Ruswil, now the Sursee nursing home, turned 85 on August 1, 1982.
Ms. Elise Brun-Stirnimann, Rüediswilerstrasse 23 (formerly Bergen), Ruswil, celebrated her 80th birthday in good health on November 6, 1982
Our President Josef Stirnimann and his wife Hildegard Haas are happy about the happy birth of their second child: Caroline (6.9.1982).
Josef Bruno Stirnimann, son of Hans Stirnimann-Betschart, ceiling honey, Ruswil, married Madeleine Berthe Grossrieder from Schmitten and Bösingen, Canton of Friborg, on September 24, 1982.
Ms. Maria Stirnimann-Stübi and her two daughters Heidi (our actuary) and Hildegard sold their Seehus in Acheregg, Stansstad, and moved into their newly built house on May 12, 1982 at Am Reistweg 1, 6370 Stans. We wish you lots of joy and sunshine in your new home.
Our painter Maria Stirnimann, Dreilindenstrasse 26, Lucerne, organized an exhibition from October 14 to November 4, 1982 in the newly opened Rotsee Gallery, Maihofstrasse 60, Lucerne, which mainly comprised Ticino landscapes. Josef Stirnimann-Greber, community clerk, Rothenburg, gave the address at the opening.
We give our condolences
The following members of our association have died since the last newsletter:
Ms. Rosmarie Stirnimann-Schöb, the wife of our cashier, Wesemlinstrasse 20, Lucerne, on November 21, 1981 at the age of 61.
Kaspar Stirnimann-Müller, last in the nursing home in Gossau SG, on June 4th, 1982 at the age of 85. The deceased came from the Oberen Bernern in Nottwil, he was a secondary teacher in Hildisrieden from 1926 to 1946, and from 1946 to 1968 he was a teacher at the cantonal school for agriculture, dairy farming and housekeeping in Sursee. Kaspar Stirnimann was a member of our first committee and actively campaigned for the establishment of our family association.
Josef Stirnimann-Schönenberger, Küssnacht am Rigi, on July 16, 1982 at the age of 62. The immortal came from the Rear-Etzenerlen branch in Ruswil and grew up in honey on the ceiling.
Franz Stirnimann-Müller, Etzenerlen school building, Ruswil, on September 4, 1982 at the age of 69. The deceased came from the Stirnimann family in the hall, he saw the light of day and grew up on the Oberschwärzi farm.
The board of directors expresses its condolences to the relatives and recommends these dead to the memory of the priests of the association.
Our board of directors
President: Josef Stirnimann-Haas, teacher, Unter-Sonnenbergli, 6017 Ruswil
Vice-President: Prof. Dr. Josef Stirnimann, Dreilindenstrasse 26, 6006 Lucerne
Actuary: Fräulein Heidi Stirnimann, operator / clerk, Am Reistweg 1 / Kniri, 6370 Stans
Treasurer: Anton Stirnimann-Schöb, civil servant, Wesemlinstrasse 20, 6006 Luzern Material administrator:
Member: Ms. Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr, Murgasse 1, 6017 Ruswil
Honorary President: Hans Stirnimann-Haupt, retired teacher, Rüediswilerstrasse 42,
6017 Ruswil
Extended Board
Roland Stirnemann-Bächi, forest engineer, 6951 Piandera Ti
Hans Stirnimann, machine draftsman, Worblaufenstr. 21, 3048 Worblaufen Willy Stirnimann, teacher, 6170 Schüpfheim
Josef Stirnimann-Greber, community clerk, 6023 Rothenburg Josef Stirnimann, electrical specialist, Schrenngasse 16, 8003 Zurich
Auditors
Hans Stirnimann-Bucher, Managing Director, Windbühl, 6017 Ruswil Richard Stirnimann-Krieger, authorized signatory, Hubelstrasse 1, 6048 Horw
The President asked for contributions, communications and suggestions for the newsletter.
Enclosures: directory of members, payment slip (annual membership fee: CHF 10).
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Our printed chronicle
"The Stirnimann family in the cantons of Lucerne and Aargau"
can be obtained at a price of CHF 15.00 from:
Mrs. Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr Murgasse 1
6017 Ruswil