Thomas Schmidt took over the family business, then went to war. In Germany, he was wounded and taken to a hospital. His nurse Wilhelmine cared for Tom and they fell in love; they were planning to marry. One night Wilhelmine was killed. Tom gave up on everything. Tom went back to the U.S. The war was over.
Once home he sold his business, bought a boat and set out on the Ohio River. He stopped to help a boat in trouble, meeting a girl who reminded him of Wilhelmine. Maria and John, Maria’s grandfather, were from Germany. They all made a home in Indiana. Tom and Maria were later married but unable to have children. One stormy evening, they heard a cry and found a baby. They named him John. Life was good, until Tom passed away and Johnny became ill. Johnny later died, and Maria took her own life.
