Krostag Family News
2017 marked the Sesquicentenial (1867-2017) of the August Krostag family coming to America.
150 years ago August and Louisa ventured with children Paulina and John from Germany to Wisconsin
The following map depicts the out migration of the Krostag family from Wisconsin.
August (1st generation) nor any of his 10 children (2nd generation) ever moved from Wisconsin.
When August's son William died in 1918, William's wife and children followed her sisters to Oregon.
The map shows a majority of the 3rd and 4th generation out migration and a few 5th generation.
Only 3rd and 4th generation from John, William, and Hulda left Wisconsin.
Krostag Family News Archive
Our Favorite Krostag Family Photo
Take a journey through the Krostag Family history and see if you can identify the Krostag family members in this photo
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Krostag Family History Begins
August and Louisa
August 1841-1913
Louisa 1840-1911
August and Louisa were the first and only Krostag's to come to America.
All Krostag's in America are descended from August and Louisa.
Louisa and August
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
August Krostag married Louisa Schulz in 1862 in Germany (Prussia). They moved to the United States in 1867 with their two young children, Paulina and John. Louisa was from Niedesora near Gorlitz, Schlesien, Germany (Prussia). August was from Neusarchen, Circle of Rothenburg which is in the same vicinity just north of Gorlitz. Most of the Schlesien (Silesia) region is now part of Poland but a small part that contains Gorlitz is in Germany. Today Gorlitz is the eastern most town in Germany. Nieder(lower)Sorau(Sohra) is an area south of Sorau which is north of current Rothenburg. Sorau is now in Poland and is known as Zary.
(Gorlitz in the Silesia region of Prussia - 1882 map)
(Gorlitz, Rothenburg, and Zary on a current Google map)
(August came from the area of Silesia north of Prague just outside the most eastern part of Saxony)
Several historical events, the promise of a better life in America, and population reduction programs of the German Empire were probably the main reasons that urged August to move his family to America. The United States Civil War ended in 1865 and the end of the Austro-Prussian War was in 1866. The Austro-Prussian War was fought between Prussia and Austria, Hanover, Bavaria and Saxony. Its conclusive battle was at Königggratz in Bohemia on July 3rd, 1866 when the Prussian army beat the Austrian and Saxon armies. Even the Italians were involved in an attack on Austria's southern flank. The campaign was planned by Otto von Bismarck, with the intent of unifying Germany. It was also seen as the means of negating the Habsburg's influence on the German states. The war concluded with the Treaty of Prague (on August 23rd), which had assigned Schleswig to Prussia and created Schleswig-Holstein. Many of the final battles of this war took place in the area of Bohemia (current day Czech Republic) which was just south of where the Krostag family lived.
Just after the war ended, August applied for release so he could take his family to America.
August Krostag 1867 Immigration Release Paper from the Prussia Government
Click on the image to see full size PDF version
English Translation
Herewith the undersigned of the Kingdom of Prussian Government it is stated that
Johann Karl August Krostag born in Herisarcheim Circle of Rothenburg the 24th of May 1841
As an immigrant he wandered to America with his wedded wife Louise, born Schulz and some minor children.
Pauline Louise, Born the 15th of Dec 1862
Johann Gotthelf, Born the 24th of Oct. 1864
After the discharge of the Prussian Government officials released them.
These discharges cause to release only these Prussian people which were named by the Prussian Government
Liegnitz 2nd of February 1867
Kingdom of the Prussian Government
In Liegnitz
The names of children born in America with their birth dates were later written on the bottom of release
The Journey to America
A majority or northern Europeans at this time left Europe from Bremen or Hamburg, with Hamburg coming in a distant second. Access to Hamburg may have been easier for the Krostag family if they were traveling up the Elbe river. Since no record of Krostag family has been found on any passenger lists, most likely the came through Bremen. Unfortunely one of the great genealogical losses occured in 1874 when authorities destroyed all Bremen passenger records back to when they were first kept in 1832. This was reportedly due to lack of space. Many passenger lists availble today are based on arrival in America. The most comprehensive lists only contain passengers who provided a local place of origin when they arrived in America. After traveling across the Atlantic and docking the South Streer piers in New York, ships were inspected. After passing quarantine inspection, passengers were taken by tug, barge, or steamship to Castle Garden in present day Battery Park. Ellis Island wasn't put into operation until 1892. On June 15, 1892 a fire destroyed a building that held the immagration records that were transferred from Castle Garden. Records back to 1855 were destroyed. Because of these incidents, most likely any records of the Krostag family immigration to America are lost.
(Castle Garden is the round building at the bottom center of this artist rendition)
(Castle Garden)
The Journey to Wisconsin
Once in America, there were two primary methods of transportation to get from New York to Wisconsin. Boat or Train. We are not sure exactly which method August used to get to Wisconsin. In the early 1800's The water route was the primary route. However by the 1860's the railroad had made it's way to Wisconsin and beyond. Families with even a small amount of money most likely traveled without much comfort by train.
By Boat
From New York passengers took a steamship up the Hudson River to Albany, New York, and then crossed New York via the Erie canal
(Erie Canal in New York)
(On The Erie Canal in New York)
After reaching Lake Erie near Buffalo, New York, immigrants boarded another steamship that took them to the German hub of Milwaukee Wisconsin.
By Train
(United States Railroad map 1870)
(Steam Engine circa 1860)
Milwaukee
Milwaukee circa 1867
Settling in Wisconsin
Once in Wisconsin, August and Louisa settled in Schleswig. Except for the fact that Wisconsin had a significant German population, we are not sure if any other factors, such as a sponsor or some of Louisa's relatives, led the Krostag family to settle where they did. August initially worked as mason and later bought a farm outside of Kiel. They spent their later years living in the town of Kiel. August became a naturalized US Citizen in 1871. August and Louisa had 10 children. Only three of the sons John, William, and Edward had children. Thus all persons with a surname of Krostag descended from them. Two of the daughters Ameilia Esser, and Hulda Tetzlaff also had children. Most Krostags in the United States descend from John. William's family migrated to Oregon shortly after his death in 1918. Edward had only 1 son who remained in Wisconsin.
Other than William's family the 2nd generation pretty much all stayed in Wisconsin but the 3rd generation moved out a bit. John's son Joseph followed by Anthony moved in Pennsylvania. Lewis ended up in Oklahoma. Fritz moved back to the homeland Germany with his German wife Martha and they settled in Mannheim. Hulda's son Edward made his way to California.
Click on the following link for the Family Tree of
Johan Karl August Krostag
August Krostag Tree
If you would like to contact us with any additions, removals, or changes please email us at
KrostagTree
KrostagTree [at] Yahoo [dot] com
Join the Krostag Tree Challenge!
Help fill in some of the missing pieces for Generations 1-4.
Click on the Puzzle to see what's missing
Click on the following link to visit the Krostag Museum
Krostag Museum
The Children of August and Louisa Krostag
Click a name to go to the section for that person or just scroll through
| Paulina | 1863-1940 | |
| John | 1864-1947 | |
| William | 1868-1918 | |
| Louisa | 1870-1889 | |
| Amelia | 1872-1959 | |
| August | 1874-1938 | |
| Edward | 1877-1957 | |
| Henry | 1880-1900 | |
| Bertha | 1881-1881 | |
| Hulda | 1883-1972 |
Paulina
1862-1940
Paulina married John Phelan on November 18, 1885. They settled in Milwuakee and had no children. John died in 1906 and Paulina continued to live in Milwaukee for the rest of her life. In 1930 Paulina was living near her sister Amelia and her family. During the winters her brother August came from his farm to live with her.
Paulina Krostag
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
John
1864-1947
Most persons with a surname of Krostag in America are descendants of John and Barbara, as they had 10 sons. The rest descended from John's brothers William and Edward. John moved to the Marshfield area of Wisconsin where he married Barbara Engmann in 1892. They settled on a farm about 8 miles north of Marshfield on Highway 97. In 1930, after turning over the farm to their son, they moved to Harvey's Lake Pennsylvania for about 3 years where their son Tony ran a store. After that they lived Milwaukee for 1 year before finally settling back down on Joseph Street in Marshfield.
John Gotthelf Krostag and his wife Barbara (Engmann).
Wedding Day October 28, 1892 and 50th Anniversary 1942
(Photos courtesy of BM and MK)
John and Barbara Wedding
Seated - William Krostag, John Krostag
Standing - Unknown, Nick Cannivet, Annie Cannivet(Barbara's Sister), Barbara
(Photo from John Krostag Collection - courtesy of DS)
John Gotthelf Krostag family circa 1897
John and Barbara with Anna, Charles, and Joe
(Photo courtesy of LR)
John Gotthelf Krostag family circa 1909
Viola, Arnold, and Fritz were not born yet.
(Photo courtesy of LR)
The John Gotthellf Krostag Family cira 1917
L>R Lewis, Viola, Jack, John, Charles, Peter, Arnie, Anna, Tony, Fritz, John, Barbara, Joe, Frank
(Photo courtesy of EK)
1942 - Sons of John Gotthelf Krostag home for the funeral of their mother Barbara
L>R Joe, Tony, Peter, Lewis, John, Fritz(partially hidden), Arnie, Frank, Jack
Charles is missing from the photo. He died from injuries sustained in WW I.
Sister Anna had also previously passed away.
(Photo courtesy of LR)
1942 - Sons of John Gotthelf Krostag with spouses home for the funeral of their mother Barbara
L>R Kneeling - Mary, Frank, Joe, Theresa, Jack
L>R Standing - John, Peter, Sarah, Adelaide, Mary, John, Tony, Erna, Arnie, Fritz, Lewis
(Photo courtesy of LR)
1947 - Sons of John Gotthelf Krostag home for the funeral of their father John
Kneeling > Arnie, Fritz, Lewis, Peter
Standing > Joe, John, Tony, Frank, Jack
(Photo courtesy of LR)
Click on the following link for more detail on the children of John and Barbara
Children of John and Barbara Krostag
William
1868-1918
William Krostag
Photo Circa 1890
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
William Krostag and his wife Margaret Engmann June 18, 1895
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
William Krostag and Margaret Krostag Wedding
Seated - Unknown, William
Standing - John Engmann, Unknown, Unknown, Margaret
(Photo from the John Krostag Collection - Courtesy of DS)
William Krostag and Family circa 1914
Front row children - Katherine, Clara, Arthur
Back row Sons - Edwin, George, Joseph Henry
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
William also left the famly home in Schleswig and followed his brother John to Marshfield, Wisconsin sometime in the early 1880's.
William married Margaret Engmann on June 18, 1895. Margaret was the sister of Barbara Engmann - John's wife. Sisters married Brothers.
William and his oldest son George both died on the same day - October 14, 1918 of Spanish Flu.
At the time of his death William was a postal carrier and the family lived on a small farm outside Marshfield near Rozellville Wisconsin.
After William died, Edwin took over his mail route. Joseph had been drafted and left for Camp Greenleaf, Georgia on August 28 so he
probably wasn't home at the time William died.
Soon after William's death, Margaret moved the family by train to Woodburn, Oregon.
This is interesting since all other 2nd generation families remained in Wisconsin and even only a few 3rd generation families left Wisconsin.
Not knowing the circumstances, it would seem odd that a women would pick up and leave Wisconsin for Oregon with a family of 4 children.
More on this later. Joseph may have followed later after his service.
Soon after the family moved to Oregon more tragedy struck. In 1920, at the age of 10, Arthur was struck by a car in front of his house after returning from a day of farm work.
Then the following year Edwin drowned in the Snake river after a boat he was in with 2 friends capsized in the Snake river. At the time, they had been working near Lewiston, Idaho harvesting fruit.
William and his wife Margaret (Engmann) had 7 children but only 3 lived to have children.
- Martin died at 9 months old of Whopping Cough in 1904.
- George died of Spanish Flu in 1918.
- Arthur died in 1920 after being hit by a car near his home in Woodburn, Oregon.
- Edwin died of drowning in 1921 in the Snake river along with 2 friends after their boat capsized.
A combined gravestone for Edwin and Arthur is in St Lukes Cemetery located in Woodburn, Oregon
showing Arthur W. Krostag 1910-1920 and Edwin J. Krostag 1898-1921.
Their mother Margaret is also buried in the same cemetery.
That left only three children - Joseph Henry, Clara Tatom, and Katherine Arvilla Newbill
Maragret later moved the family to Tilamook Oregon and then she finally settled in Sheridan where she live until she died in 1956.
Joseph Henry, Clara, and Katherine all spent their lives in Oregon.
Clara is interred in Sheridan, Katherine in Willamina, and Joseph in Tilamook.
It turns out, Margaret followed three of her sister's families to Oregon.
Ottilia moved from Wisconsin to Oregon just after being married to William Komp in Wisconsin in April 1880.
Their first child Mary was born in Mt Angel, Oregon in February 1881. Ottilia moving to Oregon was the connection that eventually
brought the Krostag name to Oregon. Mary followed in 1883 and Anna arrived some time after 1905.
Eventually their mother Magdalena Engmann (Klier) came to Oregon to live with her daughters and spent the rest of her life in Oregon.
Mary Henkes, Anna Cannivet, and Margaret Krostag are interred in the St Lukes cemetery in Woodburn, Oregon.
Ottilia Komp and her mother Magdalena are interred in the Pioneer Cemetery in Mt Angel, Oregon.
The Engmann Family Circa 1883
Back Row > Lena, Tillie(Otilla), Mary, Angeline.
Middle Row > Wendaline, Magdaline, Phillip holding Elizabeth.
Front Row > John, Barbara, Margaret, Annie.
(Photo from The Family Legacy created by Carol Ann Hubel (Tatom) )
(Microfilm is available in the State of Oregon Library in Salem and the Family Library in Salt Lake City)
The Engmann Family Circa 1905
Back Row > Angeline, Elizabeth, Barbara, Tillie(Otilla), Margaret, Annie.
Front Row > Phillip, Magdaline, Lena, John.
Insets> Wendaline (already died), Mary (Could not come back from Oregon).
(Photo from The Family Legacy created by Carol Ann Hubel (Tatom) )
(Microfilm is available in the State of Oregon Library in Salem and the Family Library in Salt Lake City)
Click on the following link for more detail on the Engmann Family
Engmann Family
Click on the following link for more detail on the children of William and Margaret
Children of William and Margaret
Lousia
1870-1889
No information has been found on the circustances of Lousia's early death at he age of 19.
Louisa Krostag
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Amelia
1872-1959
Amelia married Jacob(James)Esser November 9, 1897. They and intially lived near Marshfield, WI. Most likely she followed her brothers John and William. After their marriage, Amelia and Jacob moved to a farm near McMillan, WI in 1905. In 1907 their son Andrew was born. By 1910 they were living in Marshfield after having daughter Louisa in 1909. Louisa died in 1910 and was interred in the Gate of Heaven cemetery in Marshfield. By 1930 they and their 22 year old son Andrew were living in Milwaukee near Amelia's sister Pauline. In 1935 they were living in Lomira, WI. Eventually they moved to La Crosse, WI and lived with their son Andrew and his family. Andrew was employeed in the heating and cooling business.
Amelia Krostag
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Jacob Esser and Amelia Krostag
(Photo from the John Krostag Collection - Courtesy of DS)
Jacob and Amelia Esser Family
(Photo from the John Krostag Collection - Courtesy of DS)
August
1874-1938
August was born on the family farm in Schleswig. After attending the rural schools he most likely followed his brothers and went to Stratford and neighboring vicinity to make his home. In 1913, at the time of his father's death, he lived in Ladysmith, WI. August never married or started a family. For the last 13 years of his life he conducted a 40-acre farm near Silver Lake, in Lincoln County, and the winter months he spent with his oldest sister, Mrs. Paulina Phelan in Milwaukee. His brother, Edward Krostag and son, Edward, Jr., were at his bedside at the time of his death.
August Krostag Jr.
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Edward
1877-1957
Edward remained in Kiel near his parents and in 1910 established a painting and decorating business that he maintained for 54 years. Edward and Mary had 2 children Edward Jr. and Irene.
Edward and Mary Krostag circa 1909
(Photograph courtesy of the Heritage Collection at Kiel Public Library)
Edward Mary Krostag Family 1940's
(Photo Courtesy AE)
Edward and Mary Krostag 1950's
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Parade Float for Edward Krostag Paint and Decorating, Kiel, WI circa 1914
(Photograph courtesy of the Heritage Collection at Kiel Public Library)
Edward Krostag with his horse and wagon
(Photograph courtesy of the Heritage Collection at Kiel Public Library)
Click on the following link for more detail on the children of Edward and Mary
Children of Edward and Mary
Henry
1880-1900
Heinrich, died at the young age of 20 years after a short illness due to appendicitis. At the time of his death he was employed at the Kiel Woodware Co.
Henry Krostag
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Bertha
1881-1881
Bertha died in infancy and thus became the first Krostag to die in the United States.
Hulda
1881-1972
Hulda married Paul Tetzlaff in Kiel, Wisconsin on September 1, 1904
Click on following link to view a PDF of the Paul and Hulda Tetzlaff Story
The Paul Tetzlaff and Hulda Krostag Story
Hulda Krostag
(Photo from the Paulina Phelan Collection - Courtesy of IK, AE, CK)
Paul Tetzlaff and Hulda Krostag
(Photo from John Krostag Collection - Courtesy of DS)
Click on the following link for more photos of the children of August and Louisa
Children of August and Louisa Krostag
The final resting place of August and Louisa in Kiel, Wisconsin
To visit Krostag memorials at Find A Grave select the following link
Krostag at Find A Grave
The final resting place of Wendelin Engmann in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
The final resting place of Magdalena Engmann (Klier) in Mt Angel, Oregon.
(This gravestone was restored through the efforts of Carol Ann Hubel (Tatom) )
To visit Engmann memorials at Find A Grave select the following link
Engmann at Find A Grave
Krostag In Germany
For many years I was told by my father that the Krostags came from Rothenburg in Germany. He believed the family name changed and that Krostag was chosen upon arrival in America. For many years this website had a link to an ancestry site but the email of the person maintaining the tree was no longer good since the person had died in 2004. Finally in 2012 after I added the KrostagTree email I received contact from Stephan Krostag in Zittau southeastern Germany. Stephan and been watching the site from many years and had given up on the old email address. Stephan confirmed his family line was related. So for the first time in 145 years since August and family left Prussia, the Krostag family was in touch with its roots. It turns out that Krostag is the true family name and that there was also a Rothenburg in East Germany. There are still a few Krostags in Germany and most of them still live in the Gorlitz area and in locations in former East Germany. When more information from Germany becomes available it will be added.
Future of the Krostag Family Name
The Krostag name has been in the United States since 1867. The future of the Krostag name in the United States has declined steadily in step with the shift in family size in the United States. During the prime of the 4th generation there were about 20 possible options. In the 6th generation the number has decreased to 13.
Click on the above Tree to see the future of the Krostag name
Dedication and Thanks
This site is dedictated to the all the Krostag family members that have gone before and all those yet to come.
Thanks to the following people
Thanks to Barbara Jean Fochs Kutz (Krostag) for her efforts to document the familiy tree online and make it available to other family members. Barbara Jean passed away in 2004 and her work on the text version of the tree became a foundation for this site.
Special thanks to the family of Edward Krostag for sharing the photos from the Paulina Phelan Collection.
Finally thanks to all other Krostag family members who have helped provide information and photos for their family branch.
