The Schmahl Family (1880’s) Maple 181

Jacob Schmahl (1852-1919) was for many years the head of the Woodhaven Branch Post Office. He was born in Worms, Germany and his wife was Amelia (1855-1922).

George, Eddie and Herbert, three of their sons, all lost their lives within a three month span in the cold winter of 1885-1886. Times were bad, and the houses were not equipped with heating systems as we have now.

They all had the croup and respiratory problems.

George, the oldest was 9 and died in December. Their two year old, Herbert passed on the 19th of January, and a few days later their year old baby Edward left them as well.

It is so devastating to them to lose their children like this.

Amelia and Jacob did have two other children, Katherine who lived to be 84 and died in 1956, and Howard who lived to be 77 and died in 1979.