Karl August NACHTIGAL:
From German Cavalry Officer to Wisconsin Store Owner

Karl August NACHTIGAL was born 10 May 1863 in Gross Albrechtau, Finckenstein, Rosenberg, West Prussia, Germany (*now Olbrachtowo, near Kamieniec and Susz, Poland)(for an explaination of place names and links to maps, go here. He married Louise KOHRT or KORTH (also from that area) on 12 Sept., 1893 in Menominee, Michigan, and died 17 Dec 1914 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin.
According to family legend, he received a land grant for military service from the Kaiser. In approximately 1891 he sold his land, moved to Marinette, Wisconsin, married in 1893, became a US Citizen on August 28, 1906, and became one of the most influential citizens in the community, being a county board member and owning a store on Lewis Street, and several properties in downtown Marinette. (He was called "Carl" or "Charles" in Wisconsin, and his citizenship papers have "Carl Nachtigall", while his obituaries use both Nachtigal and Nachtigall.)

 in a parade in Marinette,
and on his horse near his house. Here is a closeup:

 See more information on his daughter's (Lillian Nachtigal CARLSON) pedigree page. Any information about him or his ancestors would be appreciated. Please send to his great-grandson [email protected]

Recent (Jan., 2002) rumors include information that the Nachtigal family may have come EAST from Friesenland to settle Prussia, as part of the Mennonite/Pfalzer migration under Emperor Friedrick the Great from 1748-1800. Another rumor says that the Kaiser requested the Nachtigal men to be part of his bodyguard corps, because they were so tall. I am currently researching this.

Obituaries show he also was survived by 4 brothers: Julius NACHTIGAL of Duluth, Minnesota; William NACHTIGAL of Marinette; Herman NACHTIGAL of Germany; and Fred NACHTIGAL of Detroit.
He was also survived by 3 sisters: Mrs. Ernest MICHAELIS; Mrs. William HAHN of Milwaukee; and Mrs. August (paper is torn here)...
The obituary also shows him in a complete military uniform; I will try to find the picture and post it here ... someday.

Another update (March, 2002): My mother's cousins also had pictures of his wife (Louise KORTH or KORHT NACHTIGAL (see above for picture) Birth: 1 May 1872 in Gross Liebenau, Finkenstein, Rosenberg, West Prussia, Germany; Christening: 3 May 1872 Gross Liebenau, Finkenstein, Rosenberg, West Prussia, Germany; Death: 26 May 1923, in Rochester, Olmsted, Mn (at the Mayo Clinic); Burial: 30 May 1923 (Forest Home Cemetary) Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin;
and HER parents, who also lived in Wisconsin, Gottfried KORTH, birth unknown, Marriage: 25 Sep 1862 in Finkenstein, Rosenberg, Ober Schlesien, Germany, to Christina JOSEPHSKI, Birth: 19 Nov 1836 in Vogtenthal, Finknstn/rosnbrg, Ober Schlesien, Germany Christening: 17 Dec 1836 in Vogtenthal, Finkenstein/Rosenberg, Ober Schlesien, Germany; Death: Probably Marinette, Marintette, Wisconsin?
Here is a picture of them in Wisconsin They would have imigrated, possibly first to Michigan? between 1872 and 1893.
Please contact me at [email protected] OR [email protected] for more information!

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