Notes from Kay Cynova (47064119):

Theodor Nagel was born February 10, 1826 Waldeck, Germany; The first school in Hall County was on the Theodor Nagel farm. It was a private school and Mr. Nagel was the teacher. The school was a German school only, because Nagel was unable to even speak the English language, let alone teach it. He was a very learned man and deserves due credit for establishing school work in this vicinity. (1920 Hall County History - pages 348-349); Fred Stolley wrote:

"The first school ever taught in this county was in 1862, about one mile south of the courthouse, Theodore Nagel was teacher, and the number of pupils was six." "Grand Island Independent July 8, 1876, page 8) The first scholars who attended Mr. Nagel's school (for this was a private school, with Mr. Nagel as teacher) were, Henry Henne, William Stelk, Fred Lilienthal and myself, and later Charley Hann and John Hann were added to our list. The school house was Mr. Nagel's dwelling of logs, with an earthen roof. I remember one day that father and Mr. Menck visited our school, when it had rained very hard the night before and a drop of rain was still dripping here and there from the earthen roof, with some dirt and hay coming down, and soon there came tumbling down seven or eight young mice onto our studying table. The two older gentlemen asked in astonishment, "what is that?" Mr. Nagel answered, "Oh that is nothing uncommon with us," and he reached out with his coat sleeve and brushed the family of young mice from the dining table, improvised for school work, onto the floor, and orders, "Fred, you take a broom and sweep that bunch of dirty creatures outdoors." At other times the boys attending his school had to help Mr. Nagel keep his corn field clean of weeds, which we were to pull up root and all. Our teacher never indulged in this kind of labor, but would wander over to the O.K. Store and buy a large sack full of sweet crackers for us. After we had devoured them, he would order us back to school where we studied multiplication tables, and the A.B. C's. I think that is about as far as we ever got, except for great ear pulling stunts, and some terrific stick blows over our backs once in a while. Christian Goettsch and Lillie Scheel were also students at that school.

Theodor Nagel was elected first county clerk in 1859. (Johnson's history of Nebraska page 367) After the 1857 colonists had become thoroughly organized, a surveying party, consisting of R. C. Barnard, and all the Americans of the colony, with Fred Hedde, and Christ. Menck, left Davenport, Iowa, about the middle of May, 1857. William Hagge and Theo. Nagel were appointed to go to St. Louis to purchase a supply of ammunition, arms, and provisions, blacksmith tools, and to ship them to Omaha in time to meet the main party there. ____Then the clerks of election, elected by said judges, were sworn: I, Theodore Nagel, do solemnly swear that I will impartially and to the best of my knowledge and ability perform the duties of clerk of this election, and will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in conducting the same. THEODORE NAGEL. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of October, A. D. I860. FREDERICK HEDDE, Probate Judge for Hall County.

Nagel was married on July 15, 1873 in Franklin County, Missouri to Emelie (Luprian)Fischer, a widow with several older children. Theodor Nagel died November 12, 1889 at Franklin County, Missouri and left his estate to his step-children. After he moved to Missouri he farmed and in 1880 his occupation was school teacher. He left the Grand Island settlement between 1860 and 1864.