Catherine Malinda Schumacher biography

Catherine Malinda Schumacher

She was born 10 Oct 1867 in Gardner Township, Sangamon County, IL. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Illinois. She married Jacob Wahl in January 1886. All of Jacob and Katherine's children were born in Salisbury Township, Sangamon County, IL.

On 7 Jun 1886, daughter Mildred Ellen was born. On 17 Mar 1889, son Charles Henry was born. On 14 Aug 1891, son Hallie Ephram was born.

In 1894, the family lived in Gardner Township, Sangamon County, IL and was served by the Cross Plains post office. Her husband Jacob is listed as a renter.

On 1 Mar 1895, son Alva Allen was born. On 10 Jun 1899, son Truman Vernan was born. On 27 Jul 1903, daughter Genevieve Alton was born. On 27 Dec 1908, son Walter William was born.

In Mar 1910, the family lived in Gardner Township, Sangamon County, IL. The census was taken in on April 26 and shows them living in Berlin, IL which is in Island Grove Township of Sangamon County. The entire family lived there except for Mildred. Grandson Thomas Wahl Sr. was also living with them although census erroneously lists him as a son. Jacob's age is listed as 44 and Catharine's is listed as 41. (C 1910) Postal address for this time period -- 1909 to late 1913 or early 1914 -- was probably Pleasant Plains RFD #39 box 22.

Following are postcards that Catherine received:

18 Aug 1913 "Mrs. Jacob Wahl, New Berlin, IL., RFD #31. Dear ones at {home} {I} she{k}e {}t thi{} afternoon Send me some envelops so I can wright I am very lonsome up here I am 18 miles from town Tell Millie & Henry to wright this is all for this time From your Son Alva Wahl In care of Jacob Levandouski, Grenville, S Dakota, RFD #1, Box 19".

31 Aug 1913 "Mrs Jacob Wahl, New Berlin, IL. I am in Minnisota now Aug 31, 1913 Dear Ones at home How are you folks I am feeling fine {Can} send My male to Alva Wahl St Thomas N. Dakota ans soon".

Moved to Greene County sometime between September 1913 and March 1914. This is based on the postcard addresses/dates and the school record that shows grandson Thomas Wahl Sr. started school on March 16, 1914.

4 Mar 1915 "Mrs Jacob Wahl, White Hall, IL RFD Dear Mother Rec'd your letter. I am feeling fine and I am at Sue's for a few days. Think I will go to Berlin Sun and will soon be down to visit you. Hope all are well. Love to all. Millie".

9 Oct 1916 from Farmingdale, IL. "Mrs. Jake Wahl, White Hall, Green Co., Route #, IL. Oct-9-1916 Dear Sister Katey I will Send you a card for your Birth day tomorrow wish you many more Happy Birth days we are well was over to Marys Sunday are well is Jake coming up to see about his mother write Soon Sarah to Katey".

28 Sep 1917 from Bath, SD. "Mrs Jacob Wahl, White Hall, IL RFD Sept. 1 - 1917 Dear Mother: Wishing you a great many more happy birthdays. Hoping all are well & happy. I am fine. all the rest too. Love & kisses Millie".

5 May 1918 "Mrs. Jackob Wahl, White Hall, IL. Dear Mother how are you by this time I am fine up here I made a little mo{v/r}e here It is quite warm now I will wright later Mary is in Spring. now As ever your Son Alva Wahl".

Jacob died of a heart attack 4 Aug 1918 while on a fishing trip at Hillview, IL. "Inquest Is Held Over Body of Farmer. State Register Special Service. Carrollton, Aug 8. Coroner Thos. H. Carmody was called to hold an inquest over Jacob Wahl, a farmer residing near White Hall, who died suddenly at the Hartwell pumping station while out with a fishing party. He remained in the auto while the other members of the party were fishing. When they returned they found him dead. Decedent was 52 years of age and is survived by a wife and two children."

Catherine Wahl bought a plot in Jones Cemetery outside of White Hall, IL. The certificate of purchase reads: "The Trustees of the Jones Cemetery to Mrs Jake Walls. Certificate of purchase of burial lot no. 47. Certificate We Hereby Certify, That Mrs Jake Walls Has on this 6th day of August, A.D. 1918, purchased of the trustees of the Jones Cemetery all of Lot numbered 47 in the Burying Grounds of said Cemetery, for the sum of Five Dollars, which sum has been by Her Self duly paid, and the said Mrs Jake Walls heirs and assigns, are forever entitled to the use of said No 47 Lot, as a Private Burial Ground, subject to such regulations and restrictions as said Trustees may direct. In witness whereof, the President and Secretary have hereunto affixed their signatures, at the City of White Hall, this 6th day of August A.D., 1918. James A Hu_ton President, C.F. Jones Secretary"

29 Nov 1918 "Mrs Jacob Wahl, White Hall, IL, RFD, Nov. 29:18 Dear Mother & All. Just a few lines. Got here at 9:20 this morn. Leave at 6:35 for Minn. Will be home Sat night. Hope all are well with you. Hope you have written me by the time I get home. Am fine. Love to you M.". (The signature "M." stands for "Millie".)

25 Aug 1919 "Mrs. Jacob Wahl, White Hall, IL., Greene Co. My ad is Truman Wahl { } Tracy ave Kan City Mo Dear ones at home. Did you get my letters I sent and my pictures I will Write Later Your loving son Truman A{ } Day".

22 Sep 1919 "Mrs. Jackob Wahl, White Hall, IL., RFD# Dear Mother got your letter to day Was glad to hear from you. I will see you soon as ever your loving Son Alva Wahl I am leaving to night".

7 May 1920 from Washington, D.C. "Mrs. Jackob Wahl, White Hall, IL., RFD Well We are here for a little While May Work here a while this is some Place. Your Son Alva Wahl".

1920 from Baltimore, MD. "Mrs. J. Wahl, White Hall, IL. RFD Dear Mother Well I am here now but am leaving now for Charleston W.Va Will write Later Alva & Be{k)e".

20 May 1924 from New York, NY. "Mrs Katherine Wahl, 229 Carson St., White Hall, IL. Dear Mother Will wright you a letter later I am leaving here to day your Son J Wahl". (Alva Wahl changed his name to John.)

On 28 Jun 1924, son Walter died from burns received in an accident. He was tending a bonfire at the farm and threw some gasoline on it. The resulting explosion covered him in flames. He paniced and ran.

Katherine married John Griffith while living in the White Hall area after Jacob's death. They lived at Jerseyville, Illinois but were not married for very long.

By 1940, she was living in Manchester, Illinois. She rented a little white house that had a creek at the end of the back yard. The house had three rooms and a basement. Her neighbors were two elderly spinsters who were named Hill. When I was a young boy about eight years old, I heard someone use the expression "older than the hills". I thought the person was referring to my great-grandmother's neighbors.

Around 1946, she moved a block in front of the first house. The second house had four very large rooms and was on a large corner lot. She lived there for only a couple of years before moving to a small four-room house that was located behind the second house and across the street from the first house.

On 19 Jun 1954, Catherine died of a heart attack or a stroke during a very hot summer in Manchester, IL. She is buried in Jones Cemetery outside of White Hall, IL.

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