Nischalke, Martin

District President, politician (Member of the State Parliament)

Born: 20.08.1882 in Trebschen

died: 21.01.1962 in Wiesbaden

Nischalke initially worked as a secondary school teacher and, following his studies (1911-13) and state examination, as a teacher in higher education. From 1924 he worked as a school inspector in Bartenstein in East Prussia, from 1926 in Dortmund and after 1928 in Arnsberg.

Nischalke had been a member of the SPD since 1921. As a co-founder and board member of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold and the Iron Front, he was dismissed from his position as a government councillor in Arnsberg after the Nazi takeover on the basis of the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service of 7 April 1933 and moved to Wiesbaden, where he worked illegally. He belonged to the circle of friends around Heinrich Roos. Nischalke apparently acted as a covert representative of Heinrich Maschmeyer, Wilhelm Leuschner's Wiesbaden base manager.

In 1945, Nischalke was initially appointed by the American military authorities as Hans Bredow 's deputy as Vice President of the Wiesbaden administrative district and, following Bredow 's premature departure due to illness in August 1945, as the new District President. He held this office until his retirement in 1948. He received a special honour in June 1949, when the Conference of Minister Presidents appointed him executive chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Development of Federal Bodies. His commitment to the establishment of a democratic order in Hesse also extended to the parliament. From July 15 to November 30, 1946, he was a member of the constitutional advisory assembly of Greater Hesse. From 1946-50, he represented the Usingen constituency as a member of the first Hessian state Wiesbaden administrative district and, following Bredow 's premature departure due to illness in August 1945, as the new District President. He held this office until his retirement in 1948. He received a special honour in June 1949, when the Conference of Minister Presidents appointed him executive chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Development of Federal Bodies. His commitment to the establishment of a democratic order in Hesse also extended to the parliament. From July 15 to November 30, 1946, he was a member of the constitutional advisory assembly of Greater Hesse. From 1946-50, he represented the Usingen constituency as a member of the first Hessian state parliament. Nischalke was also the first Chairman of the Broadcasting Council of Hessischer Rundfunk from 1946-50.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday, he was awarded the DRK Medal of Honor, the highest award of the German Red Cross.