It Seemed He Was Missing

The Mystery of William Keil’s Extended Family

From his Diary

Heinrich Wilhelm Daniel, from the town of Bleicherode in Saxony, wrote the following in his diary: 

“In July (1876) two families, a dozen people altogether, who all belong to the working class, will leave our town to emigrate to America.  The cause for this emigration should call for some public attention.  Early in the thirties, the tailor’s journeyman, Wilhelm Kiel, left Bleicherode.  Many years passed and it seemed he was missing, but then, at last, came an inquiry from him in America asking for living relatives.  Now going by the name of Keil and called the “King of Aurora” he sent 3000 marks to cover the costs for the passage of his relatives”.

In this manner, Dr. Keil reunited with members of the Nieft and Werkmeister families, his relatives through his brother Andrew. 

Brothers and Sisters

Our current exhibit focuses on Dr. Keil’s brothers and sisters, and will explore the lives of people who have lived in the shadow of their famous sibling.