I am trying to find information on:
Karl (Carl) NORDHOFF (family papers said the name was von NORDHOFF when
living in Prussia. The following came from memoirs of my husband's
great-grandmother.
KARL (VON ?) NORDHOFF - Born Prussia Died: 1838 - Ohio, USA
Karl (Von) NORDHOFF came to America about 1830-1835, from Prussia. Karl
(Von) NORDHOFFwas with the German troops NAPOLEON took with him to
Russia. At the crossing of the Berezina, in retreat, where Napoleon's
army was practically destroyed. The Prussian Army deserted their alliance
with France after the crossing at the Berezina and joined an alliance
with Russia, Britain and Sweden against Napoleon. Karl (Von) NORDHOFF was
one of the German officers that volunteered to blow up the river ice upon
which the French troops were crossing in order to complete the
destruction of the French Army. Serving under BLUCHER at Waterloo he took
part in Napoleon's final destruction, and probably went with him to
Paris, though of this we are not certain.
When peace came Karl (Von) NORDHOFF founded a school at Ervitte,
Westphalia, for training boys in liberal principles. This was not
approved of by Conservative Reactionaries and was frowned on by the
Government. Karl (Von) NORDHOFF had to give up his school; his wife
Adida quarreled with him. They separated, and each took one of their two
children. Karl & Charles, his son, to America. Adida sent the daughter to
Australia, in order to obtain complete possession of family property, and
no trace of her has even been found.
Karl Von NORDHOFF, was considered a wild Socialist in the 1820's in
Prussia, and was expelled for this, as was Karl Schurz in 1848.
I have once before tried to trace Karl and was told by Dr. Moritz Graf
Strachwitz at Deutsches Adelsarchiv that he does not appear in his files
- as surely he should be if the memoirs are correct. I would like to
know more about the school also. I had written to the Town of Erwitte
last year and never rec'd a reply.
I have also found that Karl's wife's name could have been Arnoline PLATE
or Arnoldina PLATE
I have found a possible link in Australia as to what happend to the
daughter. It shows a father named Carl Ludwig NORDHOFF, mother Arnoline
PLATE, daughter Malvine(Melwine) August (Augusta) NORDHOFF b-1831.
Malvine married George Ernst KUCH(E) in 1854 Meinerghagen, W. Germany.
George's birth date & place 1834 Elberfield, Prussia. THere is also a
mention of a Carl NORDHOFF being born to these two - possibly he changed
his name to Charles when he came to the US or the transcription of the
birth name was misread.
Malwine died 1876 German Victoria, Australia
If anyone can understand the above and can help me track down any
information on this family, it will be greatly appreciated.
Jan Nordhoff-California
jannordhoff@juno.com