Quick Facts
Biography
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 (born 1588) 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" (Baptist Hunt)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 (where the Eggiwil is located). 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, (April 6, 1672) 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:
- Abraham StoufferAmerican born settler founder of what is now Stouffville, Ontario, Canada