Christian Stauffer


Christian Stauffer born 1579 in the village of Eggiwil, Switzerland was a leader in the Anabaptist movement during the 17th century.

Personal life

Christian Stauffer was born and raised at Luchsmatt Farm in the village of Eggiwil.
Christian first married Adelheid Opplinger June 18, 16?? in Rothenbach, Bern, Switzerland. They had 11 children from 1611 to 1629.

Prison and exile

In 1644, Christian who was an Anabaptist preacher may have been part of a great "Täufer Jagen" along with Uli Zaugg and Uli Neuhaus. They were all captured and placed in Thun Castle, where the authorities were warned to keep obstinate preachers out of Emmenthal valley. The Emmenthal valley was a hub for Anabaptists and the numbers were growing which alarmed the authorities in Bern. Authorities arrested and exiled anyone who was thought to a follower or support of the Anabaptist movement.
Christian and his second wife, were exiled from Eggiwil in the fall of 1671 to Dirmstein, Germany.

Death

A few months after his exile, Christian died of old age in Dirmstein, Germany. He was 93 years old.

Descendants

Stauffer is connected to family members that eventually headed to the United States and Canada: