59. Jakob II Treuthardt moves to the Canton of Vaud (1813-1820's??)

"Something" caused Jakob II to leave Thun and and move to Echandens in the Canton of Vaud.   A couple of scenarios can be imagined.   (This part is not certain.)  Was it an opportunity for an apprenticeship at a younger age, say, about age 12 to 14 (years 1813 to 1815), when he went to live with (perhaps?) a relative or family friend in Vaud Canton?   Or did he apprentice in Thun in the profession of his choice, and later move to Echandens when a job opportunity came available?   [This is a subject to be researched by a future family historian.]  

And speaking of routes, since we love the challenges of transportation so much, how did he get there?

In ca. 1813-1820 (whatever year Jakob II moved to Echandens) this was not merely a relatively easy 135-kilometer (83 miles) jaunt by car of 1 hour 23 minutes by today's directions (Google maps, Sunday, June 2, 2013).    Echandens is virtually due west of Thun, but west from Thun, formidable mountains stand in the way.  (That part is certain.)  

Jakob II had two basic choices for his itinerary.   If he truly wanted to take a direct short cut, and if he were undaunted by a convoluted path through the mountains, and/or if he were accompanied by a guide familiar with the route, he would have been capable of navigating the torturous mountainous route -- the one not recommended in any shape or form, on June 2, 2013 by Google maps.  This was a hazardous journey by coach or cart or horse or mule, complete with poor paths, boulders and rockslides, stormy weather, raging rivers and toll booths.    Is that not a precarious forecast?   (This came from my imagining a raw mountain ride.  I have personally seen an [Italian] raging toll collector.)  

However, that journey taken halfway (or thereabouts) would have been advantageous in one way.  If he did take that mountain route, halfway there he would have landed in Zweisimmen, his home village, happy surprise with rejoicing and welcomes at his arrival, a comfortable bed with blankets, rest and much food and supplies!    I think he should have stayed awhile before his departure to the stranger land.    The rest of the way riding out of the mountains would be harder.  Once he arrived safely down to the Lake of Geneva, though, he would have made his way around the countryside and towns, a little more directly and with beautiful vistas of the lake, to remind him of Thun and make him homesick.

However, if he had headed north from Thun to Berne -- a relatively straight and level highway which today is the A6;  from Berne he would have turned west and then south toward the Lake of Geneva, a longer but easier (and maybe more boring) journey on the A1.

I've made my choice.    In my 20's and 30's I might have taken a slight chance on the short cut with dramatic mountain scenery, if I were accompanied by a reliable guide and if I did not have to ride an animal who put one leg or two out over the cliff.   But now, in my 60's I would most definitely choose the longer and steadier ride with the less exciting views, by car.   We will "see" the Lake of Geneva soon enough.

Though this entire post is imaginary, and only theory, I will let my Swiss guides tell me whether there is any ounce of truth to it.   This much IS truth.   Jakob II was born in Zweisimmen, spent part of his life in Thun, and then moved to Echandens.   Even now, let's call this 1820, he is just a kid.

In the next posts I will introduce him and tell you more factual and imaginary things.   If there are corrections to be made, I'll let you know later.        

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.