Eric Miller's Family Tree

Catherine Eicher

Person Chart

Additional Names

Additional Names Name
Married Name Archinal

Parents

Father Date of Birth Mother Date of Birth
Jacob E Eicher Sr. 1/30/1819 Elizabeth Feller abt 1817

Partners

Partner Date of Birth Children
William J. Archinal 6/3/1840 Franklin Archinal
Harry J. Archinal
Charles William Archinal
William Archinal Jr.
Wilhelmina "Minnie" Archinal

Person Events

Event Type Date Place Description
Birth abt 1843 Switzerland Per "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 record for Jacob Eicher"
Birth 2/2/1848 Switzerland Ancestry.com in the Eicher Family Tree
Immigration 11/21/1854 New York, New York, United States New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, Ship: Confederation
Marriage 1867
Death 5/5/1928 Stark County, Ohio, United States Ancestry.com in the Eicher Family Tree

Facts

Fact Description
National or Tribal Origin Swiss

Notes
Katherine Eicher (Jacob Eicher) was born February 2, 1848 in Switzerland. She arrived in America in 1854. She died May 5, 1928 in Stark Co., Ohio.

Katherine married William J. Archinal. William was born on June 3, 1840 in Prussia, arrived in America in 1860 or 61, and died on May 10, 1919 in Trenton, NJ. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, Mercer, New Jersey.

Katherine and William had the following children:

1.3.1 M Harry L Archinal

1.3.2 M Charles William Archinal

1.3.3 M Franklin Archinal

1.3.4 F Wilhelmina “Minnie” Archinal

1.3.5 M William Henry Archinal

The Canton Repository. Canton, Ohio. October 30, 1889
The Canton Building, Loan & Savings Association Company has issued a neat pamphlet, setting forth its objects, terms, etc. William Archinal is president, John McGowan vice president, Charles A. Biechele secretary, and C. H. Van Horn Treasurer. These officers and Messrs. James Sterling, A. O. Sientz, John Duffy, Ed. A. Biechele and Gottlieb Eicher form the directory, whish is a sufficient guarantee of the reliability of the enterprise. (Note William Archinal and Gottlieb Eicher are brothers-in-law)

The Trenton Evening Times. Trenton, NJ. June 1, 1913.
Feigned Death on Field of Battle, But Rebels Captured Him When the Moon Came Up
Among the old soldiers in whose hearts Memorial Day awakened thoughts of battlefields and awful carnage, of comrades who gave their lives for the nation, and of others, who, through the wounds and hardships of war, had been hurried was William Archinal, Sr., a highly regarded resident of this city who next Tuesday will pass the seventy-third milestone of his life. During the Civil War Mr. Archinal fought in nearly a hundred battles, so many that now he remembers but few of them unless old comrades in a reminiscent mood cause their horrors to pass again before him in review.
Mr. Archinal, who resides at 18 North Overbrook Avenue, was one of the Civil War’s many heroes but in reviewing his experiences in the Army he shows that he modestly regards them in a matter-of-fact manner. Upon his breast he wears one of the highly coveted medals of honor which Congress awarded to survivors of the war for services distinguished by special acts of bravery. Its cost is small but its significance is great. An eagle holds a bar containing the word “Valor.” Beneath it is a star, in its centre the head of a helmeted warrior. Around it is a laurel wreath within which is the inscription, “United States of America.” On its reverse side is the information that it was presented “By the Congress to Corporal William Archinal, Co. I, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, for gallantry at Vicksburg, Miss., May 22, 1863.”
The award was gained by the happenings of a single day of four years of service as a soldier, during which the recipient escaped a scratch from the leaden messengers of death which mowed down thousands of other brave young fellows who stood shoulder to shoulder in defense of the flag. When asked to tell just what dead brought him this priceless token of appreciation from the government, Mr. Archinal said:
“We were before Vicksburg and had surrounded the city. General Grant decided that we could take it by storm and thus obviate the delay of a long siege. A request came for 300 volunteers from our division to act as advance of the storming party. Ten men of the Thirteenth Ohio Regiment were selected and I had the honor of being one of them The next morning we were lined near our implements—logs and planks for building the bridge over which our troops could make their way across the ditch that had been dug outside the city. There also were many storming ladders for us to carry and place in position.
“Shortly after our assembling General Grant rode up and looked us over. “Boys,” he said, “I’m going to tell you the truth. Few of you who undertake this job will come back alive. Those of you who care to do so can step out and report to your companies, everything will be all right.”
“Not a man moved until General Grant rode off, and then all hands began loading up with the material that had been placed there for us. Another fellow and myself shouldered a heavy log and with our comrades all carrying as much as they could, climbed down the hill and into the ravine outside the city.
“We had not proceeded far when the lookouts on the enemy’s breastworks saw us. Then came shot and shell and in a few minutes our little party was almost annihilated. Of the 300 but 20 got back into our lines alive and but 10 escaped wounds.
“My comrade and myself succeeded in getting the log we carried close up to the enemy’s works Then I stumbled and fell. I was stunned and I regained consciousness the log lay across me. Bullets were flying both ways. I was directly in the ling of the cross-fire and was alone.
“It was one of those positions in which a person must think and act quickly or die. I saw that the enemy’s bullets were passing well above me and that ours were whizzing near my head. I freed myself from beneath the log, then threw myself down on my back so this would protect from our own fire. Every minute the log seemed to be hit by a hundred bullets but I knew I was safe unless the enemy saw and fired upon me. Realizing the latter danger I lay motionless in order to the lead the sharpshooters on the breastworks to believe I was dead.
“All day long the firing continued and at nightfall when quiet came I arose. The sun had gone down, but the moon was shining and I had hardly raised myself into a sitting position when I heard a rebel yell. It was death or surrender and I accepted the latter proposition. IN a few minutes they had me within the breastworks and in the presence of one of the officers.
“’What’s the matter with you fellows—were you all drunk this morning? Sober men wouldn’t tackle the job you undertook.” Said the officer in a pleasant manner, and I replied that our nerves were not fortified by stimulants.
“’Well,’ was the rejoinder, ‘nearly all your comrades are dead and you should be thankful you are alive.”
“They then took me into the jail yard where there were other prisoners and the next morning we were given our freedom, because they had not enough food for themselves. I was paroled after making the promise that I would not fight against them again until I had been recorded as exchanged for one of their men held captive by our forces. In a few days I found my way to home in Ohio and had been there two months when I was notified that I again was eligible for service.
“I at once rejoined my regiment at Chattanooga and the day after I reached there we took part in the great battle of South Mountain. After that we proceeded to Atlanta, fighting night and day, and later we went with General Sherman on his march to the sea.
“The Thirteenth Ohio Regiment participated in many of the most bloody battles of the war and in more skirmishes than I could recall even if they were described to me. We were at Antietam, Second Bull Run and Mission Ridge, where we lost many men. Twice my gun was shattered by bullets as I held it in my hands but during the four years of my service the enemy did not spill a drop of my blood.”
Mr. Archinal is a Hessian. He was born in Felsburg, near Sesson Cossel, Germany, and his father, too, was a soldier who won distinction for valor on the field of battle. He fought in the Franco-Prussian War and for his bravery was appointed sheriff of Felsburg, holding the position 23 years and upon retirement being favored with a large pension.
Cabinet making is Mr. Archinal’s trade and at it he is an expert. Ever since moving to this city, fourteen years ago, the old soldier has been in the employ of the New Jersey School and Furniture Company. Until a short time ago, when illness came upon him, he was at his station every day and his work, despite his years, was of a high order of excellence. He is particularly skillful in the guiding of saws through wood that must be cut with great exactness.
Among Mr. Archinal’s most cherished memories is that of his acquaintanceship with the late President William McKinley. Both resided in Canton, Ohio, and Mrs. Archinal is yet a member of the Grand Army Post there which bears the name of the well-loved man whose life was cut short by the hand of an assassin.
For four years Mr. Archinal was postmaster of Canton and although he always has been a Republican he was placed in the position by President Grover Cleveland. The principal candidate was a Democrat who did not stand particularly high with the people of the city and Mr. Archinal was pitted against with the endorsement of both Republicans and Democrats.
Through his industry and frugality the veteran saved a modest fortune and when his term as postmaster came to an end he invested in a stove manufacturing company which not long afterward was forced out of business by the trust which then controlled the trade. He and his family then moved to this city and have continued to reside here. The veteran has a pretty and happy home over which his amiable wife presides. His sons, Charles and William Archinal, are employed in the engineering department of the American Bridge Company’s plant in the city. Another of his sons, Harry L. Archinal, and his daughter, Mrs. Charles Oberly, reside in Chicago.

The Trenton Evening Times. Trenton, NJ. May 10, 1919.
William J. Archinal, 79 years old, of 18 North Overbrook Avenue, died today, following a short illness. He had not been in health, however, for two years. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, from his residence. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, under direction of Ivins and Taylor.
Mr. Archinal was at one time postmaster of Canton, Ohio. He removed from Canton to this city several years ago, and since that time lived retired. He was a veteran of the Civil War and member of a local post, G. A. R. He was also connected with the Masonic fraternities. Aside from his widow, two sons, William Archinal of this city, Harry Archinal of Canton, Ohio, and one daughter, Mrs. Frederick Drane, of New York City, survive.

The Canton Repository. Canton, Ohio. Saturday, May 5, 1928.
Mrs. Katherine Archinal, 85, died Saturday morning in her home 209 5th st SE. Mrs. Archinal was the widow of William Archinal and had lived in Canton for the past 60 years. She was a member of the Reformed church. Surviving are her two sons, Harry J. Archinal, of Canton, and William Archinal, of Trenton, N.J., a daughter, Mrs. Fred Drane, of Trenton, three grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Rolli and Miss Emma Eicher, and a brother, John Eicher, all of Canton.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the George Seesholtz home, 401 3rd ave NW. Rev. R.W. Blemker will be in charge. Burial in Westlawn.

The Trenton Evening Times. Trenton, NJ. May 6, 1928.
Word had been received here of the death yesterday of Mrs. Kate Archinal, widow of William H. Archinal, former Trenton resident, at her home in Canton, Ohio. She leaves a daughter, Mrs. Fred Drane; two sons, Harry L. Archinal, of Canton, and William H. Archinal, of 21 North Eastfield Avenue; and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Archinal, of 496 Riverside Avenue. Services and burial will be in Canton. Mrs. Archinal left this city following the death of her husband in 1919. They had resided here for 25 years.
Obit Katherine Archinal 1928

The Canton Repository. Canton, Ohio. Saturday, May 5, 1928.
Mrs. Katherine Archinal, 85, died Saturday morning in her home 209 5th st SE. Mrs. Archinal was the widow of William Archinal and had lived in Canton for the past 60 years. She was a member of the Reformed church. Surviving are her two sons, Harry J. Archinal, of Canton, and William Archinal, of Trenton, N.J., a daughter, Mrs. Fred Drane, of Trenton, three grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Rolli and Miss Emma Eicher, and a brother, John Eicher, all of Canton.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the George Seesholtz home, 401 3rd at NW. Rev. R.W. Blemker will be in charge. Burial in Westlawn.
Found Name, birth date and place, and death date and place on Ancestry.com in the Eicher Family Tree

Sources

Description
New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 record for Jacob Eicher 1854