This home stands on the original 40-acre homestead in Section 20 of the Town of Jackson, Washington County, Wisconsin. Jacob Moersfelder purchased the land from the United States government on April 11, 1846, and later deeded the parcel to his son Peter and Peter’s wife Juliana on September 1, 1860. After Peter’s death in 1861, Juliana married John Schmahl, Sr. in 1864, and he took ownership of the Moersfelder land in 1865, including the original log home. In 1886, John Schmahl, Sr. and Juliana replaced the log house with a two-story cream city solid brick four-bedroom home with a field stone basement and cistern. Since then, members of the families of John Schmahl, Sr., John Schmahl, Jr., and Reuben John Schmahl lived there for more than 122 years, with later improvements and interior remodeling including new entrances with enclosed porches. Reuben John Schmahl, born April 2, 1914, farmed on this homestead and devoted his life to public service in the community, county, and State of Wisconsin. He served 20 years on the Jackson School Board, 44 years on the Town of Jackson Town Board, including 38 years as Town Chairman, and 45 years as a Washington County Board Supervisor, including 22 years as County Board Chairman and Administrative Coordinator.