he Backensto Family of Olivesburg Ohio The Backensto family association is an active one with family experts such as Elwood Backensto and J.Hall Backensto keeping the webpages and family publications in order.My line of the Backensto family has needed a bit of attention and this is my attempt to add what information I have gleaned over the last several years. The Backenstoss are first seen in America in Berks County Pa. in the early 1700's. After arriving from Rafz, Switzerland , Hans Uhlrich Backenstoss Sr. and wife Susanna nee Baur, along with other Swiss immigrants followed the Schyulkill Riverfrom Philadelphia to settle in Center Twp., Berks County, PA, It was formerly a part of the old Bern township. An excerpt from the will of Hans Ulrich gives insight into their life : Wills, ., From History of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Compiled by Morton L. Montgomery, 1909 ... among the list of taxables in 1752, we find the name of this pioneer settler. His long will is on record in Will Book B, p. 347, in which he disposes of a very large estate. It is written in English, the signature alone being in German "Ulrich Backenstoss." The document was made Nov. 20, 1793, and was entered for probate Jan. 20, 1794, therefore it is evident that his death occurred between those two dates. In item No. 1 in the will he makes abundant provision for his wife Catherine, among the things mentioned being: "Plenty of grapes from the one-acre vineyard; flax; one gallon apple-jack; one gallon run; plenty of potatoes; plenty of cider and vinegar; plenty of winter apples and wood; plenty of everything she needs." This she was to receive annually, in addition to money and a home. Other items were: son John to receive the plantation; son Henry to receive the plantation in Bethel township, Dauphin, now Lebanon, county; and Jacob to recei