This is my Great-great Grandfather from Grossgartach. He was born 3 January 1863 in Grossgartach, Germany. My grandpa Rudolf told me that his father worked about 25 acres of land, about 30 pieces scattered in a 1.5 mile radius around the village. He was community-minded and served long years in the village counsel and church counsels. He was also a representative for widows and orphans and at one time he substituted for the town mayor, all without pay.
He is pictured above (cir. 1924-25) with his children, left to right: Herman with wife Marie (sitting with son Kurt), (woman standing was his care-giver), Paul Wilhelm, JHWL sitting, Rudolf (my grandpa), Marie and Richard Wacker with sons Walter and Heinz.
JHWL’s wife, Caroline Christiane Schott Laemmlen died in 1921.
