58. The next generation of Treuthardts -- which route would Jakob II take?

The last we heard of the Treuthardts (see posts #43, 44, 45), Jakob (the 1st) was working as a carpenter in Thun, and he died there in 1830, at the age of 50, prematurely, we should think.    Some of the five (minimum) children of Jakob I and Barbara (whose two oldest daughters were named Barbara, I and II), all of whom were born at Zweisimmen, were still living in the family home in Thun at the death of their father (if all the children were alive).  His widow Barbara moved back to Zweisimmen eventually.

If you think this is confusing, don't worry, you don't have to memorize another name just yet.   Their eldest son was naturally named Jakob.  To keep him clearly distinguished from his father, henceforth I will call him Jakob (the 2nd) or II.   Ha!  Yes, it is confusing, and I am constantly having to look at the sequence -- is this Jakob I or II?   Jakob II or I?  

So we go on to the next generation, Jakob II.    Jakob II's parents (you recall this -- but I had to go back to look it up) were married in 1800, a great, good, extremely round, even number that is enjoyable to remember.   Jakob was born in 1801.   Since he was named after his father (as well as probably several other ancestors and uncles), and he was born the year after his parents were married, you may believe (as I do) that he was indeed the eldest.

I am only telling you what I know for certain, to keep things clear.   I know less about Jakob I than Jakob II.   So will you!   

If you are an eldest son, you probably have the most responsibility of your siblings, but you are also privileged, as I believe Jakob II was.   Order in the family is important, in a variety of ways.   The parents of a firstborn son are energetic and interested in educating him to the best of their ability.   A relative or family friend may be in a position to give him an opportunity for training and a job.   From time immemorial parents have hoped to save money for the sending-off of their firstborn to a good and useful profession, so he can take care of his parents in their old age.   Look at Martin Luther of Wittenburg, Germany, for example.   His father worked hard and long in the coal mines to educate him to be a lawyer, but all Martin did was to avert a lightning stroke, become a monk and change the world.    By the time the next-in-line children get their turn, the parents are already wearing down, as we may be certain Hans Luther was pretty disappointed and upset at his son Martin for wasting his money. 

Jakob II, the eldest son of Jakob I and Barbara Treuthardt, is going to take a different life-route from his father and he will set the tone for the rest of the Treuthardt family in Switzerland.