August Nagel was born 27 Aug 1838, in Ger., the son of Heinrich and Wilhelmine (Fethmeyer) Nagel. He and his wife, Caroline (Laslaner) immigrated to the USA in 1858. Like so many German Immigrants, the Nagels located in Sheboygan, WI and just 4 yrs. later, August enlisted as a Private with Co. D, 34th Wis. Inf. He served 9 months before being mustered out 8 Sep 1863 at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, WI. At the time of the 1870 Census was recorded, they were living in the 3rd Ward of Greenbay, WI and had 2 children: Caroline Clara (b. 1868) and George R. (b. 1870). In 1880, the family moved to Greenwood, sec. 12-13 of Beaver Twp., where they were members of the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Warner Twp. They were also the parents of: August (b. 1873), Charles (b. 1873), John (b. 1879), Ernest (b. 3 Jan 1882, d. 24 Apr 1882), Arthur (b. 13 Jul 1883, d. 24 Sep 1883), Willie (b. 9 Jun 1886, d. 12 Jun 1886), Sidney (b. 2 Apr 1888, d. 4 Nov 1888). Caroline Clara married Sidney McNeill, 4 Jul 1884 when she was 16 yrs. old. That next spring, Caroline died 28 Mar 1889. August married again the following year, 13 Apr 1890. His second wife was Henrietta, the daughter of John and Agolonia (Scholl) Muller. That fall, August was granted a homestead claim in sec. 6, Loyal Twp. from the Land Office in Eau Claire. He died during 10 Apr 1904 and Henrietta moved in with her daughter, Alma and her husband, Frank Dieball in Chicago, IL. She died, 20 Dec 1939.

 

A Traditional Celebration

 

"Decoration Day was always looked forward to with a program in the hall. The G. A. R., the band and the schoolchildren always marched to the cemetery where the children decorated the graves of the soldiers. At first the programs were held in the Begley, Opera House and "Uncle George" Andrews always made the speech. Those of later days are held in the Greenwood Opera House. The old soldiers of the Civil war marched in the procession year after year until only one was left. When he became too old to carry the flag, John Arends, a veteran of the Spanish-American war, carried it for him The G. A. R. once held a reunion at the school grounds which lasted for three days. The soldiers ate and slept in tents, made speeches, sang war songs, and told of their experiences in the war. Some of the well known members of the G. A. R. were: A. S. Eaton, George Meek, F. M. Carter, R. D. Hommel, F. G. Hartson, Larry Drinkwine, C. H. Cummings, J. E. Crane, Frank Abel, T. R. Vine, Carl Richelieu, Henry Decker, William Oelig, Joseph Gibson, Chris Wollenberg, Moses Babb', John Sanford, August Nagel, M. W. Varney, J. A. McCarty, C. W. Chandler, Joseph Palmer, F G. Sheldon, Paul Rossman, Paschal Wallis and John Booth. There are no Civil war veterans left in this community but the only Spanish-American veteran and the young soldiers of the World's war now march in the procession on Decoration Day, the school children And the band still take part--old band members usually returning for the occasion. Last year, for the first time, the high school band took part and last Decoration Day a reunion for old band members and old settlers was held on Mrs. Burch's lawn. It was well attended and much enjoyed by all present."  "The Hub of Clark Co., WI"; 1934.

 

Military

August Nagel is also featured in the book, "Civil War Soldiers in the heart of Clark Co., Wisconsin."

 

 

		Donated by Thorp Area museum, this photo came from the collection of Shirley Asselin of Racine, WI. Note From Michelle McNeil: I have this same photo from my great grandmother's possessions. Her name was Caroline Clara (Nagel or Nagle) McNeill. She was born in 1868 in Green bay WI moved with her family to Beaver, Clark Co. WI sometime between 1871 and 1880. She married Sidney McNeill (born 1861 in Canada) of Weston, Clark co. WI 7/4/1884 in Clark Co. WI before moving to Northern WI sometime after that. I do not have a name attached to the picture but was guessing it was one of Sidney's sister's (Isabella or Martha).
		*Backside of the above photo.