The Niswonger family came to this area from Lincoln Co. N.C. in a caravan of 20 families, they crossed the river on ice near Ste. Genevieve Jan. 1, 1800, then came south to the Whitewater creeks along which they settled. The family consisted of 3 generations: George Christopher, the imigrant from Switzerland, died in 1802 age 110 yrs. His son Joseph married Catharina Seabaugh. They had 3 children; Jos. Jr. who was 12 yrs. old, Catherine, who married Jos. Baker, Elizabeth, who married Martin Thomas, Jos. Jr. married Katy Limbaugh. They had the first generation of Niswonger's born in MO. as follows; Peter, David, Polly, Manuel, Jos., Betsy, Aught. David founded the Niswonger Church in 1847 and was the first to be buried here. He married Mary A. Stearns. They had 10 children: John, Jos., Cordelia, Srelda, Rachel, Manuel, Busey, David B., Sarah Ann, Mary. Prior to 1891 family members were buried in the old cemetery 1 mile east near the original homesite.
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Correction (1996)
The 110 yr old man was not George Christopher at this time, it is not known for sure who he was. Ulrich Neuswanger (Niswonger) was the father of Joseph, Sr. Catherina Seabaugh was really Katherina Statler. The dtr. of Peter Statler, Sr. She died June 13, 1821 and Joseph died in 1833. They are buried in the Old Niswonger Cemetery.
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