School Days

Christina Jehle, my 3rd great aunt, came to America in 1844 with her husband Johannes Kreitler.  They settled in Newark, New Jersey where Johannes, became known as John, owner of "Kreitler's Twine and Rope Manufacturing Company.  I know that out of 12 children, at least one of his sons worked at his father's firm.Many German families were settling in Newark.  What they found attractive were the 14 German-English schools in the area for their children to attend. 

The families may have had varying religious or political views, but they all had strong convictions about preserving the German language for their children.  Even the less fortunate class were willing to make any sacrifice to grant their offspring an education in their mother tongue.  During this period, over 3700 children were receiving German speaking instruction.

German-English Schools, Newark, New Jersey

Lunatic Asylum, Illenau



Rosina Jehle 1821-1893

 My great great grandmother, Magdalena Jehle Roesch had a sister Rosina Jehle who was a talented seamstress and dressmaker.  She married Georg Ross who was a saddler-shoemaker and dressmaker.  They had six children.

Together they worked at a renowned lunatic asylum, Illenau.  The asylum, located in Achern, Germany, opened in 1842 and was known to have great success with the healing of many.

Georg Ross 1814-1904

Life was very hard for Rosina and Georg.  it was one filled with strict customs within the institution.  It was demanded that the rules of exhibiting sacrifice, service, eagerness and conscientiousness  must prevail.  Punishment would immediately follow any lack of discipline by any personnel.  The focus of the institution was entirely on the care of their patients.  Despite all this, Rosina and Georg were glad to submit to the regulations because of the enticement of great pay and the provision of a dwelling. 

 
Often, groups would take excursions to various recreation areas.  Trips were made to Mummelsee, a 55-foot deep lake considered to be of holy water.  It laid serenely snuggled at the foot of Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain at 3,820 feet, in the northern Black Forest of Germany.  It was believed the lake was inhabited by Nix, a mythical spirit that had the ability perform a metamorphosis of sorts by altering the body and mind, taking it to a better place.

Rosina Jehle, husband Georg and three sons,
lft to rt: Eduard b 1847, Otto b 1849 and August b 1852