JOHANNES (JOHN) FANKHAUSER
1666-1746
Cover Page by:
H.G.F (Howard Gray Funkhouser) son of Charles Andrew Funkhouser and Maude Irene Snapp. Howard is the cousin of Phil Funkhouser who contributed the beautiful picture of the 'oldest coat-of-arms' (Fankhauser-Funkhouser) dating back to the 1600s which can be found under Content of this homepage. Dr. E. B. Funkhouser who is mentioned in the cover page is Phil's Great-Granduncle (brother to Phil's GrGrandfather, George Snapp Funkhouser).
COVER PAGE
The following account of the life of one of the distinguished forbears of the Funkhouser Family is a transcript of some official records in the museum at Berne, Switzerland. It was obtained by Dr. E. B. Funkhouser (Edgar Bright Funkhouser), Trenton, New Jersey, who visited Switzerland in 1913 for the purpose of tracing the early history of the family.
Dr. Funkhouser found the relics here described occupying a prominent position in the museum at Berne. Being desirous of obtaining some information about the recipient of these honors, he had this translation made. It should prove interesting as well as inspiring to all those who bear the name today.
Signed,
H.G.F
March 1, 1927
JOHANNES (JOHN) FANKHAUSER
1666-1746
Among the Bernese officers who distinguished themselves in a very eminent manner in the second war of Villmerg, the Fenner and mayor, John Fankhauser of Burgdorf, Switzerland, deserves honorable mention.
As the respective statements are missing in the city's register of baptism, we quote Aeschlimann, who says, "As the son of the first mayor, John Fankhauser, Salt and Wine merchant, and of Ursula Im Eoff, he descended from a respected family, who dwelled originally in Taub (Trub?) and appears for the first time on the city's register in burgdorf in 1534. Isolated members of the family Fankhauser, whose name, no doubt, comes from the farm "Fankhause" at Taub, and which family thrives and is represented quite numerously in the valley of the river Emmen to this day, procured citizenship at Burgdorf. The family there, from which also descended the Venner John, calls its ancestor David, who became citizen in 1604, and was Mayor from 1612-1618, and from 1619-1625, and died in 1639. His descendants filled the first office of the city at numerous times, and it enjoyed important privileges like no other city of the Bernese province, and ruled over 19 parishes. Three Fankhausers, all of whom were named John, were chosen to the influential position of Venner, who was chairman in the small council of the city and was at the same time Treasurer and representative of the Governor of the Province."
John, the great-grandson of David, followed early in life his inclination for a military career, and entered when still young, the Bernese regiment of Erlach and thus the French service. this regiment had been formed in 1671, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Albrecht Manuel since 1688, by his chief in 1694. Like all other Swiss regiments in the service of the French crown, did this one distinguish itself most honorably in the many bloody wars of Louis XIV., in the battles of Fleurns, Neuwinden, Steenkerken, at the siege of Namur, of Ath, and of Barcelona, but especially in the three campaigns in Catalonia. Manuel, with his regiment heroically defended the citadel at Folit for 12 weeks (in 1695) against 20,000 Spaniards, in spite of a dreadful want of provisions, till Marshall N'oailles finally relieved the fortress. What part Fankhauser took in these battles can not be stated, as fuller information is wanting. But his later activity in the villmerger wars proves that there in that dangerous school or war he laid the foundation for his rich military knowledge and experience. Thus he rose to the rank of Major, although he did not belong to a family qualified to officer a regiment, and for whom the positions of officers are usually reserved. A flag of the regiment "Manual" which Fankhauser had brought home, no doubt, after the reduction of the same, is now with other insignia of honor, which Fankhauser had received, in the historical museum of Bern. Leu and Aeschlimann declare Fankhauser went into the service of the States-General of the Netherlands after he left that of the French. It can not be ascertained if this rests merely upon a mistake --- a transference of time or place or both ---because there are no reliable sources at hand.
Having returned to this home toward the end of the century, Fankhauser became Mayor, chairman of the big council of Burgdorf in 1699, and received a position as captain in the regiment "Upper-Aar-District and Under-Emmen-Valley" on August 4, 1707. During 1708-1710 he was incumbent of the office of either prefect, magistrate, or governor (Vogt) of Burgdorf, at Grasswyl, and was chosen Venner of the city in 1710, which office he held continuously with much distinction for 34 years.
When in the 1712 the war of Toggenbury broke out, the experienced officer, with his battalion of Burgdorf, was sent to the threatened points along the boundaries of Bern, until the army had been brought together; first to Melshnau, then to Dintikon. His first care was to thoroughly organize the guard-duty in order to meet the attacks of the enemy, and further, he did not omit to make his soldiers efficient for war by diligent drilling. On May 21, the Bernese army which had been brought together in the meantime, assumed the offensive, and Fankhauser had the honor to make, with his battalion, the first attack upon the important position of "Maiengrun", which the enemy vacated after a weak defense. After the occupation of Mellingen, the Bernese army advanced upon Bremgarten, on which occasion Fankhauser was ordered as guard to the Artillery. The careless marching of the Bernese soldiers thru the wooded district, without the necessary precautions for safety, and in spite of the nearness of the enemy, displeased the cautious officer, who made his battalion ready for defense in anticipation of sudden attacks. To these precautions the Bernese owed principally the fortunate ending of the "Slaudens-Schlacht" --- battle at the bushes ---because when stoppages were caused in a narrow passage, the Catholics rushed at the astonished Bernese, who took flight in confusion. Determined, Fankhauser threw himself with his battalion upon the enemy, while by shouting and encouragement he caused the fleeing ones to stand their ground, and the Major-General of Locconay decided the battle thru a flank movement.
After the occupation of Bremgarten, Fankhauser was detailed to the Welsh troops which had been chosen for the conquering of Baden. The conquerors placed severe conditions upon the city which had surrendered to the Bernese; the delivery of their charters, of the city's treasury, and of their silver utensils, and Fankhauser with lieutenant-colonel Fusslin of Zurich received orders to undertake the division of the booty among the estates of Zurich and Bern. In the daybook, kept by Fankhauser in regard to the war, he complains that this time-consuming order withdrew him from his soldiers, who on account of the time of inaction and idleness, and the consequences which grow out of it, and which must ever be injurious to the discipline and efficiency for war, the soldiers got accustomed to all kinds of extravagancies. He sought as far as his time allowed, to maintain discipline among his soldiers, by drilling and continued employment, and with much satisfaction he noted in his daybook that the Burgdorfer battalion, without doubt or dispute, was considered the best drilled and disciplined battalion of the whole army. After the completion of the division of the booty, the honor to escort the Bernese share of the same to the capital was conferred upon him, and here he was most friendly received by all the various ranks of the population.
After Fankhauser had returned to the army, he was sent, July 19, to Sens, on official matters; it was the furthest outpost of the Bernese army. The careless security in which the troops indulged on account of peace negotiations, did not pass unnoticed by him, and he called the notice of the commanders-in-chief of the army to the fact, without his warnings finding finding due recognition. After the sudden attack at Sens, July 20, the Bernese army withdrew slowly from Mury toward Villmerg, after the approach of the Catholics, and Fankhauser had to cover their retreat. On July 25, it came to a decisive battle at Villmerg. Fankhauser received orders to occupy the heights of Lenzbury, in order to frustrate any effort at an attack on the flank of the right wing of the army, and to cover a probable retreat. The reports of the condition of the battle, which seemed to be taking an unfortunate turn for the Bernese, induced Fankhauser to advance. It was at the decisive moment when the aged Venner Samuel Frishing, thru word and example, brought the Bernese troops who had been giving way under the impetuous attack of the enemy, to a stand. The arrival of new troops induced the enemy to flee in disorder. Bern had thus gained a most glorious victory. As a reward for his manifold services, Fankhauser was appointed General-quartermaster of the army in place of the Major-General Tscharner, who had fallen at Villmerg. General V. Diesbach had selected him previously.
At the advance of the victorious Bernese Army into the territory of Luzern, Fankhauser proved himself an excellent administrator, who looked in the best possible manner after the proper taking care of the troops, ever seeking, as far as possible, to prevent the plundering of the occupied districts. It seems the inhabitants met his demands willingly. From his daybook: "It never needed a military execution, and how little I considered my own personal interest, my accounts do prove." The government of Bern presented the victorious troops with a week's pay. How I went on that account, with all others in the Rhein-Land to the treasurer of His Majesty, and had the extraordinary satisfaction to be of all the first to be called, and the pleasing gratification to be received with the greatest praise for my battalion, and with the repeated assurance of His Highness's satisfaction, approbation and favor."
On August 18, Fankhauser led his battalion back home after the conclusion of peace. Modestly he refrained from all endeavors or solicitations for recompense for the services rendered, although he was not without the protection and support of influential persons. But the Bernese government did not fail to give to the much deserving officer a splendid proof of its acknowledgment and appreciation.
On April 21, 1713, the German Treasurer, Thormann received the following letter: "Not(e) to His Highness, the German Treasurer and Venner: Their Highnesses, the Council of War, consider it right and proper, that to Captain Fankhauser, of Burgdorf, be given a goblet from the silver ware of Baden, the same to have a device upon it and to be worth between 70 and 80 crowns. Your Highness is hereby requested to see that this is done. April 21, 1713. War Office, Bern." From the Manual of the War Council, No. 35, Page 402. The magnificent, gilded, and richly decorated or engraved goblet bears this dedication: "Fankhauser: For your faithful bravery, the High Authority above you honors you with this goblet." It was personally handed by the treasurer to the honored sir.
Fankhauser closes his daybook, after mentioning the honors received, with these words: "This token of honor shall not delight only me, because I can look at it as a sign of my honorable conduct and the pleasure of His Highness and my superiors also of the entire staff of generals, in regard to the services rendered by me. But is shall also encourage my descendants to a like faithfulness and eagerness, which never remain unrewarded." His descendants have faithfully kept this token of honor, and it forms with another one, which Fankhauser received, one of the costliest treasures in the "Silver Room" of the historical museum. On April 24, 1725, Fankhauser was appointed First Lieutenant, and with this close his military career, so fully renowned.
Fankhauser has also done great and excellent services to his native city. For instance, at the big fire of August 13, 1706, at the Schmieden-Gasse (street of the smithies) which destroyed 45 houses, it is said he saved several persons from death on that occasion. The city, too, honored his service with a silver goblet already mentioned. Upon its lid is the following dedication: "Mr. John Fankhauser. In the fire of 1705 the angel consoled us through the faithful hand of a helper and a savior." In 1710 he was chosen "Venner" and placed himself in the gap for the benefit and salvation of the whole city, when Burgdorf had much misfortune. "She makes him herewith a present: May his renown remain untarnished." Upon the lid stands an angel holding in his left hand the escutcheon of the house "Fankhauser", in his right, a wreath. A stem serves the symbolical mourning figure of a woman (the city of Burgdorf) who leans upon the coat of arms of the city. This goblet, manufactured at Biel, is 40 centimeters high.
When the pecunious wife of the village mayor, Manuel, refused in 1729 to prepare for the honorable wives of Burgdorf, the long established chicken soup, the Venner, energetically opposed the infringement of the city's privilege, and the government of Bern, before which the unpleasant quarrel was finally ended, gave back the right to the injured wives.
In the year 1743 Fankhauser laid down his office of Venner, but he seems to have remained up to his end in excellent health, as according to the register of death, he died unexpectedly, without sickness, on August 4, 1746, at the age of 79 years, as he was about to take a walk. Venner Fankhauser had an imposing manly appearance, well-built, soldier by nature; he had a strong sense of duty, and great power of endurance, yet with all was most unassuming. To his subordinates he was a careful leader, honored and beloved by them; to his superiors he was faithful. A fine oil painting of him has survived.
He married Magdeline Rubin of Thun and had by her one son, John, baptized October 24, 1713, died February 23, 1779. He also was Venner of the city (1761-1779), and three daughters. One of his son-in-laws, squire Ludwig Rudolph Von Diesback, at one time major in the service of Holland, citizen of Burgdorf 1771, died 1794. He published extracts of the daybook, mentioned several times, in 1788 of the first lieutenant Fankhauser about the Villmerger War under the title: "Something noteworthy in the form of a daybook of an experienced officer from Canton Bern in regard to the campaign of 1712, and how his high superiors rewarded him, a very worthy possession (reward) indeed for the emulation of his principles or every military office of the confederation." Printed 1788. The original seems to be lost, but this extract is a valuable addition to the history of the war of Villmerg. Sources: Baptismal, marriage, and death registers of the city of Burgdorf, 1666-1779. J. R. Aeschlimann, History of the city of Burgdorf. Extract from the daybook of Venner Fankhauser. Manuscript of 1779 of the Historical Union of the canton of Bern. E. V. Rodt, History of the Bernese military affairs, volume 3. May, History Militare, etc., volumes 5 and 6. Reports of Her Highness old national counselor Frank August Dur of Burgdorf, and director H. Kasser of Bern.
---R. Ochsenbein ---