Verena (Fannie) Habegger Stauffer
1822 – 1894
Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 59 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented
Family
- Spouse: Christian Stauffer (1802–1892)
- Family notes: Christian Stauffer + Verena Habegger (m. unknown)
- Children in this vault: Elizabeth Stauffer (1855–1919)
Life and evidence
(Habegger, Swiss of Adams and Wells, M10, M56)
Born 9 Apr 1822 at Le Trondai (Trunda), Montagne de Moutier, Canton Bern. Married first Johann Burkhalter (b. 1810, Dies Mattli near Nidau) on 23 Oct 1847 on the Nidauberg; sons David (1848–1853), Peter (1850, later a Berne Sunday School leader) and Jacob (1851–1852). They reached Sonnenberg, Ohio on 24 Jun 1853 and Adams County in August 1853, where Johann died a month later (7 Sep 1853), followed by little David. Six months later, 23 Mar 1854, she married the widower Christian Stauffer, Johann’s nephew. Died 13 Nov 1894.
Her parents are not given. Katharina Utz (Christopher’s other 4th great-grandmother) was born on the same farm, Le Trondai.
Named as ‘Fannie Habegger’ on her daughter’s death certificate; Verena on Find a Grave.
In their lifetime
- 1833 — 1833 First Swiss Mennonite settler in Putnam County, Ohio
- 1835 — 1835 The Ramseyers sail on the Richmond
- 1852 — 1852 Swiss Mennonites found Berne, Indiana
- 1869 — 1869 The Fieguths move from Prussia to Am Trakt
- 1874 — 1874 Military service ends the exemptions
Sources
Candidate parents: Peter Habegger and Elisabeth Sprunger — added 2026-10-31 by Claude
Habegger’s book places a Habegger family on Trunda (Le Trondai), her birthplace: Peter Habegger married Elisabeth Sprunger (b. 10 Mar 1785, a daughter of Peter Sprunger (1757–1840)) on 12 Jan 1804; their daughters Anna (b. 16 Jul 1810, Trunda; m. David Moser) and Elisabeth (b. 30 Aug 1812, Trundai; m. Clemenz Wulliman) were born there; Peter died 22 Jan 1833. Verena (b. 9 Apr 1822 at Trunda) fits as a younger daughter, but no record names her parents yet. If confirmed, Christopher would descend from Peter Sprunger and Anna Röthlisberger a third time.
Death notice, Christlicher Bundesbote (Nov 1894): “Den 13. Nov. bei Berne, Ind., Verena Stauffer, geb. Habegger, im Alter von 72 Jahren, 7 Monaten und 4 Tagen … in Trunda, Kanton Bern, Schweiz geboren und kam im Jahre 1853 nach Amerika. … 7 Kinder.” See Habegger - The Swiss of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana; Church papers - Christlicher Bundesbote and Mennonitische Rundschau (1880s-1920s).
Narratives and research
- History: 1833 First Swiss Mennonite settler in Putnam County, Ohio, 1835 The Ramseyers sail on the Richmond, 1852 Swiss Mennonites found Berne, Indiana, 1869 The Fieguths move from Prussia to Am Trakt, 1874 Military service ends the exemptions, Faith traditions
- Sources: Find a Grave, Habegger - The Swiss of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana
Research log
- 2026-10-31: Habegger, Swiss of Adams and Wells, read for Habeggers at Trunda/Le Trondai: Peter Habegger and Elisabeth Sprunger (m. 1804; he d. 1833) had daughters born at Trunda 1810 and 1812 — candidate parents (lead)
- 2026-10-31: Christlicher Bundesbote 1894 death notice found: born in Trunda, came to America 1853, 7 children; parents not named
Record compiled 31 October 2026.
About this research
Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.