My name is David KNECHT, born Fayette County, Illinois, now living in East Lansing Michigan.

 

I am interested in exchanging information with anyone who has background about Alt Rüdnitz or Alt Kustrinchen, Prussia. My Great-Great-Grandmother, Johanna Wilhelmine PRUEGEL was born in Alt Rüdnitz on 30 August 1829 and my Great-Great-Grandfather Johann Friederich MALCHOW was born in Alt Kustrinchen on 13 July 1821, (see photo below).

 

Shown at right are Wilhelmine PRUEGEL and J. Fred MALCHOW, who were married in 1851.

 

Prior to their marriage he served in the Prussian Army, (two of his military documents are included below, one dated 1846, the other 1849).

 

After they married, they lived in Alt Kustrinchen, where three of their five children were born, (photos of three youngest follow).

 

In February of 1859, they immigrated to Dodge County, Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Theresa Township near Mayville.

Military Document 1

Military Document Two

 

In the spring of 1864, they were one of seven families to migrate by wagon caravan 350 miles south to what would later become known as the German Lutheran farming community called St. Paul, Illinois, (in Fayette County) which is where they are buried. Some other surnames from neighboring villages along the River Oder who settled in or around rural St. Paul, Illinois were as follows: BRANDT, HAGEN, KASTNER, SCHROEDER, RIEDLE, RUBIN, WOLLIN, WUEHLER and WURL.

 

From other nearby Prussian towns (Bernickow and Nahausen) came the following families to St. Paul, Illinois, namely;  FELLWOCK,  MAGNUS,  OERTWIG, SASSE and  SCHUKAR.

       Tombstones for Wilhelmine (PRUEGEL) and Johann F. MALCHOW 

(St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, St. Paul, IL.)

 

 

Children of Wilhelmina (PRUEGEL) and J. Friederich MALCHOW

Their first three children were born in Alt Kustrinchen, Prussia namely; Augusta Wilhelmine MALCHOW, (April 1851- March 1934). Frederick John MALCHOW (February 1854 – July 1879) and Ludwig August MALCHOW, (March 1858 – March 1938).

We only have photos of their youngest three children, which follow.

Photos of Three Youngest Children

 

 

Ludwig A. MALCHOW
Born Alt Kustrinchen, Prussia
on 25 March 1858
Died St. Paul Illinois
on 27 March 1938

 

August H.  MALCHOW
Born Dodge County, WI.
on 27 April 1861
Died St. Paul, Illinois
on 06 May 1916

 

Bertha Anna MALCHOW
Born St. Paul, Illinois
on 03 March 1866
Died St. Paul Illinois
on 07 August 1952

 

I am a Great-Grandson of August H. MALCHOW

 

               Thank You           

 

My contact information follows:

E-Mail: Saluki1963@aol.com

David E. KNECHT