Nachtigal, Peter (1865-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 17 p. 2

Birth date: 1865

text of obituary:

PIONEER SETTLER DIED IN CALIFORNIA

Reedley, Calif. — Peter Nachtigal, who came to this country from Russia in 1885, died at the home for aged here on April 30 at the age of 86. A retired farmer, he had lived in California since 1927.

He is survived by four daughters and two sons, 31 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. Funeral services at the First Mennonite church were in charge of Rev. H. G. Wiens.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jun 7 p. 9, 11

text of obituary:

PETER NACHTIGAL

Peter Nachtigal was born on March 1, 1865, in Molotschna, South Russia, in the village of Waldheim. His parents were among those that migrated to Central Asia in 1880. The main destination of this exodus was the city of Taschkent the capital of Russian Asia. After a stay of one year in this city they moved on to the border and settled in the village of Serebulak.

In 1882, he and seven other youths received the holy baptism upon confession of their faith from the Rev. Johann Janzen, and thus he was united to the “Church of the Exodus” in Central Asia. In the fall of 1882 the journey was resumed to the land of Chiva.

On March 1, 1885, he was joined to Miss Anna von Riesen in the bonds of holy matrimony. Two years later, in 1887, the young couple left parents and relatives to go to the United States of America. They arrived in Newton, Kansas on Sept. 11 and were later received into the membership of the Mennonite church there. In 1890 they moved to Butler county and became members of the Emmaus Mennonite church at Whitewater, Kansas.

In 1903 they changed residence to Oklahoma and joined the Bethel church at Hydro. In this church he served as leader of the congregation and superintendent of Sunday school for many years. In 1916 he was chosen by the church as an evangelist and a year later was ordained to the ministry. In this capacity he served, in weakness, until 1926.

Being over sixty years of age by this time, his health was failing him and upon the advise[sic] of his physician, who recommended a change of climate, they started journeying once more on August 4, 1926, and arrived in Upland, Calif. in early December. Here they stayed for the winter and in April 1927 they continued their journey northward and came to the town of Reedley, Calif. where they established their home and became members of the First Mennonite church. Here he served from 1929 until 1940 as teacher of the German Adult Sunday school class.

In 1935, the Nachtigals went back to Oklahoma, to their former home, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. This was also the place where, in 1910, they had their silver wedding.

In 1944 he suffered a stroke which paralyzed his right side but he managed to get along by himself. In 1945 he was permitted, by the grace of God, to celebrate with his dear wife their diamond wedding. All the seven children were present on this occasion with their families. On August 27, 1946, his wife passed away in the Lord. (Here ends his personal record of events.)

After mother’s passing he was very lonely and lived by himself unitl [sic] 1948 and then moved in with his children, the Gus Wedels. The last seven months of his life he was in care of the old people’s home of Reedely [sic]. Here he also went to be with the Lord on April 30 at 10:20 p. m.

He leaves to mourn his departure six children, Mrs. C. C. Froese of Enid. Okla., Mrs. P. C. Dalke, of Homefield, Manitoba, J. P. Nachtigal of Newton, Kansas, Mrs. B. A. Hinz of Reedley, Calif., H. P. Nachtigal of Hydro, Okla., and Mrs. Gus Wedel of Reedley, Calif.; 31 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren; also many other relatives and friends.

Our father had a great desire to be with the Lord and mother. He longed for the Land of Promise. He has now entered into his rest. Although we sorrow, yet not as those who have no hope, for we believe that we shall see him and all our loved ones again who have preceded us in death. — The bereaved family.