Bernhard Adolf* von Moltke

Bernhard Adolf Erdmann Georg von Moltke (1804-1871)

Adolf von Moltke was in his youth a delicate lad with small features, who grew up under his mother's specially loving care and guidance. His father took less pride in the boy, who was inferior to his elder brothers in physical strength, and only did justice to his remarkable intellectual gifts in later years. Though throughout his life Adolf had to contend with feeble health, he succeeded by his iron determination and remarkable talents in attaining a high position in his small native State, which he held for many years.

After studying at the Universities of Kiel and Heidelberg, and passing his examinations brilliantly, he entered on the career of a lawyer, and served, in very critical times, as Councillor to the Chief Court of Justice of Holstein, and in the Chancery Office of Schleswig-Holstein-Lauenburg.

In 1848 the confidence of his fellow-countrymen called him to take part in the government of the united Duchies, as constituted after the armistice of Malmoe. He subsequently filled the post of Administrator to the province of Rantzau, and after the Prussian annexation, he was actingLandrath for the district of Pinneberg. In all these appointments he did very good work, and did his country various and excellent service. He is remembered there as a clear-sighted and honourable man who enjoyed the esteem and respect of all. That he was able to work on till the end, he owed largely to the faithful care of his wife, under whose admirable nursing he recovered from repeated attacks of illness which brought him to the verge of the grave. Frau Auguste von Moltke, now living at Schloss Kreisau, was the daughter of General von Krohn, who distinguished himself as War-Minister in Schleswig-Holstein from 1848 to 1850.

Adolf von Moltke's sufferings increased greatly towards the end of his life. They often compelled him to make a long stay in the south, and it was his elder brother Helmuth who, as usual, assisted him with generous sympathy and affection. Thus, after a residence in Algiers, during the winter of 1866-67, he was enabled to take a leading part, with renewed energy, in the difficult task of governing the Duchies in their new relations to Prussia. But, by the Field-Marshal's advice, he decided, early in 1870, to retire from the service of the State, and to settle at Schloss Kreisau, which his brother had then lately acquired. The brothers were bound by a peculiarly close and affectionate tie of friendship, for they met in a common effort to attain the highest and best; and while Helmuth delighted in Adolf's never-failing humour and versatility, and derived advantage from his legal knowledge, he was always ready to advise and help his younger brother.

It had long been a cherished dream with both to live together on an estate, however small, and gather the family about them. The elder had now gained this hoped-for end, by his brilliant services and the favour of his sovereign; but their desire of living together was not long to be gratified.

In July, 1870, the Field-Marshal was called out to the greatest task of his life; Adolf was again compelled to seek a milder climate, but he could still rejoice in the victorious progress of the German armies, to which he had given two sons, and in his brother's glorious successes. But before the hour of reunion had struck, he had closed his eyes in peace, at Lugano, on April 7th, 1871.

A notice of him published in the Hamburger Nachrichten, said: "The whole career of this highly distinguished man may be described as having been animated by unselfish and truly Christian love, and a determination, crowned by brilliant success, to devote his best efforts to the welfare of the State and of the people."

His remains were buried by the side of three of his family who had preceded him to the grave, in the churchyard of Barmstedt, near Rantzau. Among the six survivors who stood by his grave was his brother, the famous Field-Marshal, in simple dignity and deep regret.

"He might die happy, for he knew that you, his children, would be cared for," were his words as he turned away from the little mound, and he faithfully kept his word.

Barmstedter Friedhof (Cemetery)

Barmstedter cemetery was on 14 July 1844 "draußen vor der Stadt" was inaugurated at the Moltkestraße. This cemetery was expanded again in 1872 and then closed in the year 1910.

From 1892 to 1910, so buried in two cemeteries at the same time. Here, on the "old cemetery" just the family graves were used, while new family graves were decorated in the cemetery at Meßhorn.

Family

Wife: Adolfine Doris Auguste von Krohn (5 May 1813 Barkau - 9 Jun 1902 Kreisau)

Children

1. Wilhelm Joseph Bernhard Friedrich Adolf von Moltke * 11.09.1845
2. Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke - 25 May 1848 - Gersdorf
3. Friedrich Ludwig Elisa von Moltke - 1 May 1852 - Gut Rantzau

Sources

• Author Helmuth Graf von Moltke: Letters of Field-Marshall Count Helmuth Von Moltke to His Mother - Volume 1 - page 161 Adolf Von Moltke
• Barmstedt Wiki: Bernhard Adolf Erdmann Georg von Moltke
• Dansk biografisk Lexikon / XI. Bind. Maar - Müllner (1887-1905): Moltke, Adolph Erdmann Bernhard Wilhelm, 1804-71
• Jessen, Olaf (2010) Die Moltkes - Biographie einer Familie
• Barmstedter Friedhof: Historie
• Barmstedt Wiki: Moltkestraße (Barmstedt)
• findagrave.com: Adolph von Moltke
• Deutsch Wikipedia: Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke
• Deutsch Wikipedia: Friedrich Ludwig Elisa von Moltke