This recorded family history begins in Switzerland 1534 and the relevant information is recorded on the text version of the family tree. The graphic version of the tree begins with the common ancestor to both the Swiss and American branches of the family. This individual was John Jakob Friderich, (1759-1806). He had two sons, Johan Jakob Friderich who remained in Switzerland and Friedrich Friedrich who emigrated to the US in 1836. His family consisted of nine children. One son, Johan Christian Augustus Friedrich (later Frederick), is the patriarch of the our family branch.
The following is taken directly from a supplement to “An Authentic History of Winesburg, Holmes County, Ohio”. It was written by Rev. Arthur Henry Smith and the supplement is dated August, 1935.
August Frederick (1832-1919) (Swiss “Friedrich”) was born in Zofingen, Switzerland, and came to this country with his parents, brothers and sisters when he was four years old. They lived for a few years on a farm near Myers Lake in Stark County. It being low, marshy land, they came to the hills of Winesburg about 1838 and settled on the old Michael Immel farm where Fred Hochstetler now lives.
Though his schooling was rather limited, by careful reading he educated himself and was well informed in both European and American history.
At the age of 19 he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, and was employed in the mercantile establishment of Thomas Woodrow, an uncle of Woodrow Wilson. In 1872 he with family returned to Winesburg and with his brother-in-law Charles Joss, took over the thriving mercantile business of his father-in-law Col. Nicholas F. Joss. This firm of Joss & Frederick lasted until 1885 when the former withdrew. Mr. Frederick, assisted by his oldest son, Charles, continued the business until his retirement in 1901 when he and his wife moved to Canton, Ohio.
During the Civil War he was an officer in the “Home Guards” and was called into active service at the time of Morgan’s Raid through Ohio. A physical disability prevented him from taking a more active part in the war.
Mr. And Mrs. Frederick celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in Canton in 1914 with all their children and living grandchildren present.
Our Swiss relatives spell their name “Friderich”, different from the the first recorded spellings in Winesburg church birth records. Regardless of how the name was spelled in Switzerland, Augustus clearly gave his name as “Friedrich” initially. The name became Americanized to “Frederick” over time. The birth records of August’s children vary and are not consistent. Emma, (1865-1947) was Friedrich; Carl Simon (Charles) was Frederich; Will was Friedrich; H.O. Was Frederick; Albert was Friedrick; Otmar was Friedrick; Julia Karoline (Julia) was Friedrick.
H.O. Frederick recounted a story he apparently got from August. It seem the Southerners were on the march into Ohio (Morgan’s Raiders) and the locals burned down a bridge to stop them. The Confederate cavalry just rode their horses across the shallow creek or river and continued on.
A Brief Family History