General
The family name Wichser originates, according to Paul Oetli's German-Swiss surnames, from the tree name Weichsel (dialect: Wiechsel).
The appearance of the name originally shows in the form der Wiechselere, later Wiechseler, Wichseler, Wichssler, Wichsser and Wichser. [ In a copy of old records sent to me from Switzerland, I also discovered it spelled Wychser. In the United States the spelling also occurs as Wickser. [CBW]
The Wichser family is an original, scattered and reformed main family of the land Glarus, citizens of the towns of Schwanden, Glarus, Linthal, Ruti and Betschwanden.
Johann Heinrich Tschudi writes in his book printed in Zurich in 1714, "Description of the Lob'l. Towns and Country Glarus", according to papers of Aegidius Tschudi:
It is however, to remark, that twelve free, old and blue blooded families descended from this original Sekingischen family. The heads of these twelve families represented the Country's Regiment and defended with shield and spear the House of God's Rights when they found it necessary to protect it.
These families were the Wichsslers, now Wichsser.
From these, the Kilchmatter and the Wichssers from Hr. Gulor were brought into the register of the Rhaetischen-Edel-Knechten; if same and those from the land of Glarus originated from the same tree is not known to me.
History
1220
In this year the Wichser family appeared for the first time in papers. Through one of the records of that year is shown that the former Meier Heinrich Tschundi divided his loans and possessions among his three sons. Witnesses to this transaction were the Ritters of Wildegg, Wagenburgh and Karpfenstein, also some respected citizens of Glarner (Glarus), among them Albertus der Wiechseler.
1256
More importantly, in this year is the appearance of Hugo Wichseler. The Meier Rudolf Tschudi died in 1253. Since he left no children, the Abbess of Säckingen lent the Meier-Office to the Ritter of Windegg, whose mother Margaretha was a sister of Meier Rudolf Tschudi. Two sides spoke out against this loan. On one side was the uncle of the deceased, the Minister Johannes Tschudi, who maintained he had the most rights to the Meier-Office since this had belonged to the men of the Tschudi family. On the other side was Hugo Wichseler, Herrmann in the Kilchmatte, and Hugo Vogel claimed rights to the respectful and successful Meier-Office. They stated that they, as brothers-in-law of the deceased, were next in line, especially since they, as free people of the land Glarus should have preference over non-Glarner (Glarus) Ritter Diethelm of Windegg.
On August 24, 1256 the Abbess called her Vassallen to Sackingen and laid before them the above question of rights. The gathering decided unanimously that the Abbess had the free and complete right to appoint whoever she wished to the Meier-Office and her original decision stood. That is, Diethelm of Windegg remained Meier of Glarus and Hugo Wichseler, who among the named brothers-in-law apparently most hoped for the Meier-Office had to abandon his expectations. Hugo Wichseler was born in 1208 and was married to Appalonia Tschudi.
1291
Origin of the comradeship oath ... [rest of this entry is not legible]
1335
Because a new regiment was chosen at this time at Zürich, and was divided into Constafel and Zünfte, there came to the Zünftmaster position Heinrich Tschudi and Heinrich Wichssler. ----- [further entry not legible]
1347
In this time after 1256 the Meier-Office and Vogt-Office over the Glarnerland was transferred to the Herzogs of Austria and those Vogts sat over the lands. Untervogts of Autria in the Glarnerland were:
1329 Hermann von Landenberg I
1331 Johann Ulrich von Weissenkirch
1332 Hermann von Landenberg II
1339 Johannes von Hallwil
1340 Ludwig von Rotenstein
1344 Ludwig von Stadion
1347 Albrecht Wichsler
1350 Walter von Stadion
In 1347, the Austrian Untervogt of Glarus and Weesen, Albrecht Wichsler, held court in Schänis concerning a claim of the local abbey.
1372
Contract of the land Glarus with the Abbess of Sackingen, Mrs. Margaretha von Grünenberg. Among citizens of the land are the twelve highly esteemed judges, also Hugo Wichsseler.
1388
Battle of Näfels
1395
Heinrich Wichser is among the fourteen citizens and hostages, who had to demand of the land Glarus proper payment of the ransom sum from Abbey of Säckingen.
1409
Guthild von Gerstnegg, Peter von Unterwegen's wife, donated, with the knowledge and consent of her daughter Mathia and husband Hans Wichsler, to gentlemen of the Domcapitol of Chur, a yearly measure of four pounds mailisch, according to Chur's valuation, from a vineyard of Trimmis, named Constance, which belonged to the vestry of Ruchenberg.
1416
In the Mühlebacher Alpineletter, Albrecht and Rudi Wichser appear as Alpine leaders.
1421
Termination of the fight of heinrich Wichser and other Alpine comrades over boundaries and grazing rights on the Alp Braunwald with those from Schwyz.
1429
Inheritance contract of the Chorusmaster Eglolfvon Rorschach with Chur, his wife Dorathea, Hans Wichsler's daughter, and her two children against the Domcapitol of Chur, over a half Juchart acre near the lower gate of Chur, from which he, Rorschach, had made a vineyard.
1436-1450
The Old Zürichwar
1443
Hans von Westerstetten, called Schob, sells to Jos. Walhier, citizen of Chur, and his housewife Agta Frumolt, a stadel in Chur, located in town, with all the rights he some time ago bought from Peter von Unterwegen and Guthild von Gerstenegg, his wife, from Hans von Stampf and Anton, whose brother Bartolome's son purchased it and him from Anna Wichslerin, Hans Wichsler's daughter, which had come Westerstetten's Mume by inheritance.
1460
Rudolf Wichser is chosen Landvogt of Sargans
1474
--- for the second time, died during his second term in office.
. [This statement apparently refers to the above named Rudolf Wichser]
1474-1477
Burgunderwar
1490
Ratsherr Peter Wichser is sent to Wil as ambassador.
1499
Schwaberwar
1494-1516
Italian Field Marches
1500
Rudolf Wichser is ambassador - 1500, 1512, 1514, 1516 he officiated as Landvogt in Utznach is Gaster. In the "egglayerbook" [?] of the luckharbor of Zurich, in the year 1504, he set six times on St. Fridolin and six times on Holy Cross. In 1507, Vogt Rudolf Wichser, from the land of Glarus, was delegated to the renewal of the Bunde in Basel. The chronicles of Basel contain detailed description about the renewal of the Bunde.
1502/06/10
Fridolin Wichser officiated as Landvogt in Gaster.
1513
Gilg, Hans, and Felix Wichser lose their lives in the battle at Marignano.
1519-1600
Reformation and Anti-Reformation.
1527
Hans Rink von Baldenstein and his father Jörg owe Rudolf Wychser, citizen and officer of Glarus, 300 gulders rh. for which Rudolf von Marmels and Haldenstein gave guarantee. They promise the latter to keep him free from debts and harm their possessions.
1528
Captain Hans Wichser from Rüti arrives for the new training and is sent as a reformed ambassador to Zürich and Einsiedeln. In 1529 he becomes Landesseckelmeister. In 1538 he is part owner of the Quartz Mountain Works Gruppen. In 1531 named to be a captain of a troop movement in Gaster.
Deposits entered by Ludwig Tschundi, Vogt Rudolf Wichser, Pannerherr Hans Stucki, and Seckelmeister Bernhardt Heer of Luzerne, which were sealed with personal seals.
Magnus Wichser of Thon gives temporary shelter to Father Peter Rumelin of Schwanden who had power of deeds of the Catholic believers.
1531
Peter Wichser of Glarus, serving as a Captain in France is chosen as County scribe (Landschreiber).
1533
Uli Wichser serves as church Vogt in Betschwanden.
1544
Captain Jakob Wichser and Captain Jost Tschudi sue Hans Altmann and Uli Tschudi regarding services payment in court. Captain Jakob Wichser is the son of Hans Wichser, Seckelmeister; Ulrich Tschudi, county judge and Rudolf Zweifel are his sons-in-law.
1547
Rudolf Wichser and Landvogt Aegidius Tschudi demand downfall ...
1548
S. Wichser is taken under oath, along with Jaochim Elmer, F. Solmann, and Adam Ott to draw the layout of the Freiberg. Jost Wichser is Hans Wichser's brother.
1552
Captain Peter Wichser complains about many deserters from his company in France.
1558
According to Ratsprotocol, Hans Wichser and Paulus Wichser shoot a wild deer in Freiberg. In punishment, they had to deliver the horns of the animal to the Rat, who kept them in Rathaus of Glarus. They were destroyed during the Great Fire of November 11, 1861.
1562
Magnus Wichser speaks at the county gathering (Landsgemeinde).
1565
Adrian Wichser, Captain of the Rat, receives permission to shoot three mountain goats from the Freiberg for his wedding.
1566
Thomas Wichser, Priest, receives mountain goats from Freiberg for the festivity of the first reading of Mass.
1567
Hans Wichser swears Urfehde at Glarus. [Ur: great; fehde: feud or quarrel]
1569
Wolfgang Wichser is the Spittelvogt in Glarus.
The chronicler Aegidius Tschudi, Landvogt, Landamann, Officer in the French services, and the sworn representative to Kaiser Ferdinand 1st, marries his third wife, Maria Wichser of Glarus. This woman was the widow of:
1st husband - Captain Gabriel Dolder
2nd husband - Jakob Bachmann, named Püntiner of Uri.
1572
Ludwig Wichser of Schwanden and Glarus is chosen Landvogt of Sargans after he became Landschreiber in 1565.
1575
A sworn ambassador is sent to the new King Henry 3rd of France; ambassador of the Glarnerland is Ludwig Wichser, former Stadthalter.
1578-82
Ludwig Wichser becomes Landammann.
1586-89
Ludwig Wichser is Landammann for the second time.
1588
Ludwig Wichser goes to Appenzell, in his position as Landammann, for the purpose of easing the religious struggle.
1588 Arms List Glärus
Wolff Wichser - 1 spear
Schryber Wichser - 1 excellent suit of armor
1 spear
1 halnparten
Schwanden
Läry Wichser - 2 ????
1 büchse [gun]
2 spears
Rüti & Linthal
Aderian Wichser - 1 spear
Jacob Wichser - 1 spear
1 hallenparten
1 hundbiel [self firing]
Hug Wichser - 1 büchse
1589
Ludwig Wichser leads an entire regiment of Swiss soldiers to Paris, he becomes a Colonel and Commander of this Swiss regiment. He received many medals and was made a nobleman in 1596 by King Henry 4th. He lent his entire fortune of 54000 Kroners to the King of France for which he was given notes. The French government never honored these notes and therefore Ludwig Wichser, his family and heirs were reduced to poverty.
1591
Hug Wichser is witness in court.
1597
King Henry 4th sent Ludwig Wichser, Colonel, to the Badische year-reckoning.
Verena Wichser is godmother in Betschwanden.
1598
Colonel Ludwig Wichser returns to Switzerland.
1600
David Wichser serves as a judge in Schwanden.
1600-1798
Political fall and religious renewal in Glarus.
1603
Ludwig Wichser speaks at the county seat for Captain Fridolin Heer who wants to build a street along Walensee.
1605
Adrian Wichser dies; he is son of Ludwig Wichser and is a Captain in the Regiment Gallati in France.
1615
Hans Thomas Wichser, son of Ludwig, becomes Landvogt in the free offices and dies there in 1617.
1631
Writings of Landammann and Rat of Glarus to the chiefs of gem. Bünde regarding Captain Peter Wichser, old Landvogt or Werdenberg, because as outstanding debts for one as Langvogt of Weredenberg, at the request of the Bündner in the years 1622 and 1623 released faithful service, because of warring folk along the Rhine. From the City Scribe of Chur, from Tscharner he received an obligation of 70 Gulders.
1697
Kaspar Wichser is in military service in Holland.
1707
The Tagwenrecht of Mstr. Jakob Wichser's sons, Peter, Rudolf, and Niklaus is renewed in Schwanden.
1712
The Kurfurst of Brandenberg seeks in the oathmembership people for settlement on his farmlands in East Prussia, which lands were laid bare due to pestilence.
From Malans [Wartau] moved Thomas Wapp, with his wife Susanna Wiieserin along with her son Jakob, to these farmlands.
1717
Peter Wichser goes to Paris as a soldier.
1730
Peter Wichser, grocer, plants two Christmas trees privately on the Allmend.
1743
Wolfgang Wichser is hospitalized in deGrave. He is a soldier under Colonel von Planta in Bünd, Regiment of Salis.
1744
Fridolin Wichser is working in Holland as a bargeman.
1764
Pawnbroker Jost Wichser pays 20 Florin for his promotion to Unterleutenant.
1782
Hans Rudolf Wichser buys the Weideli for 1750 Florin and rents the Weideli-Rhine for twelve years.
1783
Bernhard Wichser is missing in foreign service.
1792
Major-aide Paulus Wichser is named Exercise Master for the new BernerExcercitio. He becomes Ratsherr in 1822.
1793
Jakob Wichser received for his houses six Stähr wood.
1798-1848
Rebuilding of the Swiss State.
1799
Fabian Wichser has an accident in the Jägernstöcken when he became lost on retreat from the French in the Klausenpass.
1801
Bartolome Wichser enters the Royal Military Services of Holland. His last service was in the East Indies where he died from yellow fever on the Island of Java in 1830. he is buried at Watewreden, Island of Java.
1803
Johann Melchior Wichser is hospitalized in Rochelle. Serving in the 1st Swiss Halbbrigade, 5th Company, 3rd Battalion.
1815
Wolfgang Wichser is serving as a soldier in the 3rd Corp of the Glarner Battalion in Hüningen.
1825
Bernhard Wichser is a soldier in the Guard of France.
183[?]
Johann Heinrich Wichser is in the Royal Military Service in Holland.
1837
Rudolf Wichser is in the Royal Military Service in Holland.
Canton Glarus, Switzerland 
