Hochstrasser, Paul I.

Birth

Paul I. Hochstrasser was born in Germany on either the 12th day of September in the year 1761 or 1762, a son of Jacob Hochstrasser (1730) and Maria Elizabeth.

Marriage & Children

Paul married Dorothy Fisher, a daughter of Peter Fischer and Anna Dorothea Ball b. 1730who was born at about 1758 on March 18, 1784 at the Lutheran Church in Berne. They had the following children:

• Maria Elizabeth Hochstrasser born March 7, 1785, died October 22, 1866
• Hannah Hochstrasser born December 7, 1786, died July 12, 1866
• Margaret Hochstrasser born November 5, 1788, died August 13, 1827
• Eva Hochstrasser born November 25, 1790, died March 28, 1875
• Catherine Hochstrasser born August 17, 1792, died November 28, 1825
• Jacob P. Hochstrasser born December 28, 1796, died April 8, 1875
• Peter Hochstrasser born April 18, 1799, died April 20, 1880
• Paul Hochstrasser born June 28, 1801

His Life

He was a shoemaker by trade. He settled in the town of Knox, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured lumber for some years, but returned to Berne and purchased 200 acres of land, a portion of which embraced the White Suiphur Springs, and there spent his remaining days.

Military

He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He entered the service at the Town of Guilderland in the County of Albany and the State of New York having been drafted, joined Capt. Grote’s Company and Col. Schuyler’s Regiment for the term of one month. He served out his term and was then dismissed. He joined the said company in the spring of the year 1776 and served as a private soldier.
He again enlisted at about the last of September or first October 1777 and joined Capt. Nicholson’s Company. He served one month and was at the surrender of Burgoyne and was then released
He was drafted and joined Capt. Grote’s Company and was marched to Schenectady in the month of June 1778.

In the Spring and again in the Summer of 1779 was again enlisted for five months, and was at Schoharie at the time that place was burned.

Death

Dorothy died on April 6, 1840 and is buried at the Beaverdam Cemetery. Paul died on November 11, 1843 and is buried beside his wife.

Revolutionary War Pension File

Selected documents from Paul Hochstrasser’s Revolutionary War Pension File.

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Additional Media

Hochstrasser, Arthur E., was born in the town of Berne, February 5, 1847. The founder of the Hochstrasser name in America was Jacob Hochstrasser, the great- grandfather of Arthur E. He was a native of Holland and was one of the pioneer settlers in the town of Berne. He was one of a committee to petition the Legislature to set off the town of Berne from Rensselaerville, and the chairman of the committee to draft the town laws, and was the first supervisor and first justice of the peace.

Paul I., the grandfather of Arthur E. Hochstrasser, was born in the town of Berne in 1762. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He settled in the town of Knox, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured lumber for some years, but returned to Berne and purchased 200 acres of land, a portion of which embraced the White Suiphur Springs, and there spent his remaining days. His wife was Dorothy Fisher.

Peter Hochstrasser, the father of Arthur E., was born in Berne on the homestead, April 18, 1800. He was a wheel-wright by trade, his principal manufactures being spinning wheels, flax and wool wheels; he also owned a farm of seventy-five acres which he supervised. His wife was Eliza Weidman, born in Berne July 20, 1808. daughter of Col. Jacob Weidnian. Their children were Jacob M., John, Charles (who was a soldier in the Rebellion), Arthur E., Catharine. Margaret and Sarah. He died April 20, 1880, his wife February 15, 1887.

Arthur E. Hochstrasser learned the turner's trade and when eighteen purchased a factory and engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads; three years later he formed a partnership with his brother Jacob M. in a saw mill and manufactured lumber, bedsteads, etc. In 1882 he sold his mill interest and engaged in general mercantile business in the village of Berne and in 1891 he erected his present store building. He owns and resides on the place where he was born. He was town clerk from 1882 to 1885, was town committeeman, president of the town Republican organization from 1886 to the present time, and has often been chosen as delegate to town, district and State conventions. Mr. Hochstrasser is a member of the Masonic fraternity and was one of the charter members of Helderberg Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is one of the active promoters and contributors in and to the proposed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie railroad, of which he is also a stock-holder. September 25, 1868, he married Josephine, daughter of Edward Settle of Berne, and they have one child. Fred P. His wife died March 1, 1882, and February 4, 1885, Mr. Hochstrasser married Hattie, daughter of Henry W. Weidman, and they have two children, Margaret and Chester.

Landmarks of Albany County, New York

• Revolutionary War Pension File of Paul I. Hochstrasser (S13434)
• Gravestones

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  Paul Hochstrasser, Rev. War Soldier burial at Beaverdam Cemetery. Photo with permission from Thomas Dunn
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  Dorothy Fisher, wife of Paul I. Hochstrasser, burial at Beaverdam Cemetery. Photo with permission from Thomas Dunn

Sources