Theo. Nachtwey

NACHTWEY, BERDEL, BRUNK, COLE

Posted By: AMK (email)
Date: 4/27/2009 at 11:00:13

Veteran Business Man Succumbs

In the passing of Hon. Theo Nachtwey, which took place at his home on Center Street Sunday evening at 9:30 o'clock, Lansing loses a well known and prominent citizen and its oldest business man. With his demise another of the "Old Guard" is gathered home and the few remaining ones of pioneer days may now be easily counted on the fingers of one's hands. Dr. Nachtwey, as he was familiarly called, had been ailing for some years with heart trouble and for last six or eight weeks his condition has been such that relatives and friends and even the patient himself, foresaw the inevitable result. His iron constitution and wonderful will power enabled him to make a game fight but slowly and surely gave way before the onslaught of the pale horseman and the end came peacefully, finding the tired spirit resigned and ready.

Deceased was born in Seulingen, Hanover, Germanty, 76 years ago the 25th of last October. He graduated in pharmacy in his native land and came to America with his young bride in July, 1859, landing in Lansing on the 6th of that month, which has ever since been his home. Sept 1 of that year he established the drug store which still bears his name. His wife died in 1884, leaving no children and he married Mrs. Mary Berdel in 1888. The fruit of this union was two sons, Winfred and Wilhelm and a daughter, Theo, who survive with two step-daughters, the Misses Selma and Clara Berdel, the mother having preceded him to the grave ten years ago, also his nephew and partner, Franz J. Nachtwey, who has made his home with him for the past fourteen years.

Deceased had filled many positions of trust and honor and was a lifelong and radical democrat. He served as County Sup't of Schools, was Justice of the Peace for thirty consecutive years, a member of the School Board, Mayor of the city at different times and represented the county in the legislature for two terms, in all capacities acquitting himself most creditably. He was possessed of a fine judicial temperament and we believe missed his calling in not taking up the law and spiring to the bench. His likes and dislikes were equally strong, he was passionately fond of music, ready at repartee and possessed of a wonderful fund of anecdotes, which few could tell better.

The funeral took place from Immaculate Conception Church at 9 this morning, Dean Haxmeier officiating, burial in the family lot in Gethsemane beside his second wife.

May the soul of our departed friend rest in peace.

Out of town relatives at the funeral were Frank Brunk, brother-in-law, of Retreat, Wis.; Mrs. J.W.Cole, sister-in-law, and Miss Clara Berdel, stepdaughter of Minneapolis.

Allamakee Journal
Page 2 Column 4
Wed 22 Dec 1909
Vol XLIV No 9

I typed this, just the way it came from the paper.
His dates, from his gravestone, are Oct 25, 1833-Dec 19, 1909