No-Fault Divorce Paved the Way to an Era of Great Marriages

Greatness begins with choosing to stay, not with being forced to.

Photo by Victoria Priessnitz on Unsplash

In 1857, Theresa Voss Heissel thought she was marrying the man of her dreams, Robert Schmidt. Theresa might not have expected a life of luxury, but she must have believed she’d be comfortable enough as the wife of a merchant. As a married woman in the late 19th century, she was determined to do exactly what was expected of her: keep a clean and organized home and remain loyal to her husband in every way.

Not long after the wedding, Theresa was desperate. Robert had gone on a trip to buy goods and was missing for several months. Illinois was a frontier state, and unexpected things could happen along the Illinois River. In her nightly prayers, she hoped he wasn’t dead and pleaded with God for his safe return.