Charles Natsch

Who was Charles Natsch?

Charles Natsch was a 36-year-old American first-class passenger who perished in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was a successful specialty grocery merchant from Brooklyn, New York, known for his involvement in social and athletic circles, as well as his talent as a solo tenor vocalist.

Early Life and Family

Born in October 1875 in Connecticut, Charles Natsch came from a family with Swiss immigrant roots. His parents were:

• Father: Heinrich “Henry” Natsch (1842-1881), a clerk
• Mother: Louisa Bodmer (1836-1903)

Charles had three known siblings:

• Louise (b. 1868)
• Henry Furnald (b. 1874)
• Albert (b. 1879)

The Natsch family lived in Brooklyn, New York, at 765 Atlantic Avenue. Tragedy struck early in Charles’ life when his father passed away on October 9, 1881, at the young age of 38 due to enteritis and asthenia.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1899, Charles married Elizabeth Henderson Nicoll Machan (b. October 2, 1874), a Scottish-born woman who had immigrated to the United States as an infant. Elizabeth’s parents were Robert Nicoll Machan and Caroline Mitchell Robertson.

The couple settled in Brooklyn and started their family. They had four children:

1. Helen Carolyn (b. August 12, 1900 - d. October 17, 1907)
2. Jean Lois (1902-1983)
3. Evelyn Dorothy (1904-1957)
4. Henry Halsey (1905-1984)

Tragically, their eldest daughter Helen died from diphtheria at the age of 7 in 1907.

Career and Social Life

By 1910, the Natsch family was residing at 503 East 7th Street in Brooklyn. Charles had established himself as a specialty grocery merchant and was well-known in his community’s social and athletic circles. His talent as a solo tenor vocalist also earned him recognition, with local media frequently quoting his amateur performances.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

On March 30, 1912, Charles Natsch embarked on a business trip to Europe on behalf of his employers, Lamont, Corliss & Co., a successful food import and marketing firm. While in Amsterdam, he wrote a letter to his family, which would be the last communication they received from him.

Titanic Voyage Details:

• Embarked: Cherbourg
• Ticket Number: 17596
• Cabin: C118
• Ticket Cost: £29 14s (equivalent to about $3,700 in 2023)

The Tragedy and Its Aftermath

Charles Natsch did not survive the sinking of the Titanic, and his body, if recovered, was never identified. In a cruel twist of fate, New York newspapers erroneously reported that Mrs. Natsch and her children were survivors of the sinking, even claiming that one of the children had fallen ill with pneumonia due to exposure in a lifeboat.

Legal Proceedings

Following Charles’ death, several legal proceedings took place:

1. His will, executed on February 23, 1905, was admitted to probate on July 2, 1912.
2. Titanic survivor and lawyer Isaac G. Frauenthal provided proof of death in the hearings.
3. Elizabeth Natsch filed a claim against the White Star Line for $150,000 for the death of her husband.
4. This claim led to legal difficulties, as the United States District Court had issued an injunction against such claims.

How did the community remember Charles Natsch?

The Duryea Presbyterian Church at Sterling Place and Underhill Avenue in Brooklyn, where Charles had been a worshipper, held a special memorial service for him. The church also installed a new set of pulpits in his memory.

Elizabeth Natsch’s Later Life

Elizabeth Natsch never remarried and continued to live in Brooklyn, remaining active in her church. In the mid-1920s, she moved to Camp Wateredge in Columbia, Connecticut. Elizabeth passed away on June 9, 1956, in Windham, Connecticut, and was buried in Columbia alongside her daughters Jean and Evalyn. Charles is remembered on her headstone.

A Lasting Legacy

The tragic story of Charles Natsch serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives cut short by the Titanic disaster. His legacy lives on through his descendants and the memories preserved by his family. Remarkably, the last letter he sent to his wife from his business trip abroad, posted in the Netherlands, remains in the hands of his family to this day, a tangible link to a life lost over a century ago.