Taken from Ulrich Probst's History:
(Click on the picture to make it larger.)Ulrich was the son of Johann Ulrich Probst and Anna Barbara Hess, born 23 April 1838 in Luetzelflueh, Bern, Switzerland. He acquired a common school education according to the Swiss law. His environment was strictly puritanical. Like his parents he was a member of the Swiss Reformed Church. Following his education he served four years as an apprentice in his father's tailor shop. This work proved exacting, for while on duty he was compelled to hold a ball under his chin which indicated to his father whether or not Ulrich was attending to his job or looking at passers by. During the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 he served in the Swiss army. Among other duties while in the service, he made uniforms for the soldiers. He was a good sportsman and ranked as a leader among his associates. At the age of nineteen he married Anna Barbara Kiener, a school teacher. Anna Barbara was the daughter of Niklaus Kiener and Rosina Hofer, born 17 June 1831 in Bolligen, Bern, Switzerland. She acquired sufficient education to qualify as a teacher, which profession she practiced until her marriage. She was very adept at learning and could read and write when five years of age before she started school. She also memorized 120 questions which every student in those days had to memorize before graduating from district school. She was an excellent singer and so developed her voice that it was said of her she possessed one of the finest voices musically.
Ulrich and Anna Barbara were attracted to the message of Mormonism, and when Elders Karl G. Maeser and Willard Richards brought the gospel to their city, they welcomed them heartily and offered their home for the first cottage meeting. Ulrich was baptized on 14 January 1869 and Anna Barbara on the 18th of February 1869 by Elder Willard Richards. Ulrich was baptized by Niklaus Sommer, and shortly after he was made an Elder and president of the Sheril Branch. In this position he was instrumental in converting the Fred Hauetter and John Sonderegger families. Along with increased understanding of the gospel came the desire to emigrate to Zion. By means of savings and a small inheritance they came to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City on the 4th of July 1872. Ulrich had five dollars left at that time with which to establish himself and family. It took three days to make the trip to Midway with a one-horse team and an ox team.
For a time the family lived in a log house of one room with a dirt floor. Ulrich acquired a squatter's right to some land in Snake Creek where they lived during the summers and returned to the town for the winters. In a religious capacity Ulrich served as secretary, and as one of the Presidents of the 96th Quorum of Seventies. He also led the German choir in Midway. In 1888 he was called to fill a mission to the Swiss-German territory. When he returned in 1891, he married a plural wife, Rosa Schaub, whom he met and converted during his mission. As a result of this marriage, he was disfellowshipped, but later was reinstated. He and his wife fled to Mexico with other polygamous refugees. Later they returned to the United States and settled in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. From this marriage there were four sons and three daughters born. In his later life he returned to Midway, and died and was buried there. Anna Barbara had a long hard life, but was a sweet, kind, and very patient mother and grandmother. She died and was buried in Midway.
Ulrich and Anna Barbara were the parents of ten children, nine sons and one daughter. Eight of the sons were born in Switzerland, and Edward and Emma were born in Midway. Johannes (1), Frederich, and Emil died as children. John Gottlieb passed away at age 63, Johannes (2) age 26, and Emma Elizabeth age 8 years. Four of the sons married, John Ulrich married to Susanna Gertsch; Jacob married to Mary Magdalena Huber; Ernst married to Emma Marie Kohler, and Edward A. married to Margaret Watkins. The posterity of this couple numbers thirty-one grandchildren, and many great grandchildren in the third and fourth generations. We their posterity honor and respect them for accepting the gospel to bring about our heritage and lives here in Zion.
Ulrich and Anna Barbara were attracted to the message of Mormonism, and when Elders Karl G. Maeser and Willard Richards brought the gospel to their city, they welcomed them heartily and offered their home for the first cottage meeting. Ulrich was baptized on 14 January 1869 and Anna Barbara on the 18th of February 1869 by Elder Willard Richards. Ulrich was baptized by Niklaus Sommer, and shortly after he was made an Elder and president of the Sheril Branch. In this position he was instrumental in converting the Fred Hauetter and John Sonderegger families. Along with increased understanding of the gospel came the desire to emigrate to Zion. By means of savings and a small inheritance they came to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City on the 4th of July 1872. Ulrich had five dollars left at that time with which to establish himself and family. It took three days to make the trip to Midway with a one-horse team and an ox team.
For a time the family lived in a log house of one room with a dirt floor. Ulrich acquired a squatter's right to some land in Snake Creek where they lived during the summers and returned to the town for the winters. In a religious capacity Ulrich served as secretary, and as one of the Presidents of the 96th Quorum of Seventies. He also led the German choir in Midway. In 1888 he was called to fill a mission to the Swiss-German territory. When he returned in 1891, he married a plural wife, Rosa Schaub, whom he met and converted during his mission. As a result of this marriage, he was disfellowshipped, but later was reinstated. He and his wife fled to Mexico with other polygamous refugees. Later they returned to the United States and settled in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. From this marriage there were four sons and three daughters born. In his later life he returned to Midway, and died and was buried there. Anna Barbara had a long hard life, but was a sweet, kind, and very patient mother and grandmother. She died and was buried in Midway.
Ulrich and Anna Barbara were the parents of ten children, nine sons and one daughter. Eight of the sons were born in Switzerland, and Edward and Emma were born in Midway. Johannes (1), Frederich, and Emil died as children. John Gottlieb passed away at age 63, Johannes (2) age 26, and Emma Elizabeth age 8 years. Four of the sons married, John Ulrich married to Susanna Gertsch; Jacob married to Mary Magdalena Huber; Ernst married to Emma Marie Kohler, and Edward A. married to Margaret Watkins. The posterity of this couple numbers thirty-one grandchildren, and many great grandchildren in the third and fourth generations. We their posterity honor and respect them for accepting the gospel to bring about our heritage and lives here in Zion.
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