Brotherly Love

Left to right: Otto, Eduard and August Ross. Eduard left Achern, Baden, Germany when he was 18. He embarked on the ship called "Tampico" on the 12th of August 1866, in Le Harvre, France and arrived in New York 17 days later. He returned to his birth place to visit his brothers only 45 years later.
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Brothers Visit after 45 years



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

Arthur Ross

Written in German - Translation

"Death Announcement"

Relatives, friends and acquaintances, we make the painful message that our beloved only son Arthur Ross died this morning at half-past two, after suffering a long and severe illness, at the age of 21 years and went to God.

The deep mourning family of August Ross, Achern (Germany) 7 December 1898. The funeral will take place Thursday, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon."