Moriz Panther Biography

Moriz Panther, my great-great-grandfather, was born in Stadelhofen, A. Achern Ortenaukreis, Baden. His parents, Franz Joseph Panther and Genovefa Schindler, moved the family from Stadelhofen to Mösbach some time after the children were born.

Moriz Panther Baptismal Record

Moriz was born into the home of his parents and five older brothers and sisters on September 21, 1803. He was baptized three days later, on September 24. He may have had two additional older siblings as we do not know when his brother Gustov or his sister Magdalena were born. He was born into a household that contained his parents, Franz Joseph and Genovefa Schindler, their oldest son, Franz Joseph, 15 years old, Maria Anna, 13 years old, Anton, 11 years old, Franz Xaver, 7 years old, Johan Georg, 6 years old and Juliana, 4 years old.

When Moriz was two years old, his mother gave birth to his baby brother, Wendelin, in 1805. At this point, their household was comprised of seven boys and three girls.

Wendelin Panther Baptismal Record

When Moriz was one and a half, his older sister, Juliana, died at the age of six years old.

Juliana Panther Death Record

It appears the family moved from Stadelhofen to Mösbach some time between 1805 and 1816.

Two of Moriz's older brothers died in quick succession when Moriz was 13 years old. Johan Georg died on November 29, 1816 at the age of 19 and Anton died on December 19, 1816 at the age of 24.

Johan Georg Panther Death Record

Anton Panther Death Record

I don't know at this time whether they might have fallen ill by one of the widespread epidemics of the early 19th century of if they served in the military during one of the many wars occurring around this time-frame, but having two brothers, in their late teens and early 20s dying within one month, you can be certain this was an unsettling time for the family.

When Franz Xaver was married at the age of 34 in 1828, it is noted in his marriage record that he was a Sergeant in an Infantry Batallion.

Franz Xaver Panther and Katharina (last name?) Marriage Record

Moriz was a police officer in Mösbach. He married Elizabeth Birk in Mösbach on May 14, 1831.

Moriz Panther and Elizabeth Birk Marriage Record

Their first son, Ferdinand, was born on April 20, 1833 and he was baptized on the same day.

Ferdinand Panther Baptismal Record

Their next son, Philipp, was born just over a year later on April 28, 1834 and was baptized the following day.

Philipp Panther Baptismal Record

Next came their only daughter, Maria Anna, born and baptized on June 26, 1835.

Maria Anna Panther Baptismal Record

Three months later, Moriz's younger brother Wendelin died at the age of 30 when Moriz was 32 year old.

Wendelin Panther Death Record

His next son, Aloys, my great-grandfather, was born on June 21, 1837, then came Michael on September 22, 1841.

Aloys Panther Baptismal Record

Michael Panther Baptismal Record

Michael died just a few months past his second birthday, on Jan 10, 1844 and was buried three days later.

Michael Panther Death Record

Elizabeth became pregnant at about the time of Michael's death as their youngest son, named Moriz, was born September 4, 1844.

Moriz Panther Baptismal Record

Moriz died just three years later, on July 12, 1847, leaving behind his wife Elizabeth, four sons and one daughter at ages ranging from just under three years old to fourteen.

Moriz Panther Death Record

Elizabeth later married Moriz's brother's son, Franz Anton Panther and gave birth to two more sons, Donat on February 27, 1849 and Carl Ludwig on September 2, 1851. Carl Ludwig died on May 4, 1852 at the age of 8 months.

Franz Anton Panther and Elizabeth Birk Marriage Record

Donat Panther Baptismal Record

Karl Ludwig Panther Baptismal Record

Karl Ludwig Panther Death Record

  Seven years after Moriz Panther's death, his oldest son, Ferdinand, left for his voyage to America. Aloys would follow 18 years later.