William Nolting biography

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:

Sherry Kuhn <s_kuhn80@hotmail.com>

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and
Jefferson

Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1894).


William Nolting, a prominent citizen, and founder of Nolting Station,
Washington County, was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 22, 1837. His 
parents were William and Margaret (Phillips) Nolting, natives of Germany, who
 reared a family of five children,Charles, Louise, Minnie, Mary and William. 
William Nolting, Sr., lived with his parents in the Old Country until his 
marriage. In the meantime, he learned the trade of a carpenter, and this he 
carried on together with the management of the home farm. He served in the
German army for thirteen years, participating in the Russian and French War,
and at one time was taken prisoner and confined in a large church, but by
hiding himself therein he escaped the French. He was a member of the German 
Lutheran Church, and died after a protracted illness, when seventy-seven
years of age. The mother of our subject was likewise a member of the Lutheran 
Church, and departed this life when three-score years and ten.

William, of this sketch, received his education in the common schools of his
native country. When sixteen years of age, he was orphaned by his father's 
death. He remained in Germany, caring for his mother, until three years after 
attaining his majority, when he decided to emigrate to America. In 1860 he 
landed in Baltimore. After having been variously employed in the east, he 
went to St. Louis, Mo., near which city he was employed working on farms, and
for a short time was driver of a street car. In 1865 he came to Washington 
County, where he purchased land and commenced farming on his own account.

Prior to coming to America, our subject was married in Germany to Miss Engel
Garlah* , and as a result of their union there were born eight children, two 
of whom died in infancy.  Those who survived are, Henry, Mary, Louisa, 
William, Frederick and Euliah. Mrs. Nolting was born in Germany, April 25,
1836, and was the daughter of Dederick and Louisa (Fuller) Garlah**, who 
reared a family of six children. They were both members of the German 
Lutheran Church, and spent their entire lives in Germany.

Mr. Nolting is variously employed, being the proprietor of a general store
and a sawmill, and also operates a fine farm. He has given his children the 
very best advantages for securing an education, and is looked upon as one of
the representative men of his community. His son Henry lives on the old farm
and is married to Cragena Snyder. Louisa married Henry Hoke, a prominent 
farmer of Washington County. The second son of our subject, Peter William, 
has recently been appointed Postmaster of the Station, and from the present
outlook it will not be long before Nolting will become an incorporated
village.

*should be "Gerlach"

** Mrs. Nolting's father was Johann Dietrich Gerlach (1811-1841). Her mother
was Agnese Catharine Louise Charlotte Volle, born 1812. Mrs. Nolting's
stepfather was Carl Heinrich Osterholz, who married her mother 22 May 1842 in 
Gohfeld, Westphalia, Germany.


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