From the book Selig Goldschmidt, written by Sally Cramer:

Grebenstein, a small town not far from Cassel, Germany, was the birthplace of Meyer and Lea's children.  Here, in a simple home of a poor trader was raised a noble family.  The place was small, the home modest and the rooms narrow.  Meyer Goldschmidt, combined self reliance with a deep trust in the help and support of Hashem.  Without this, he could not have pursued with such perseverance and cheerfulness the hard struggle in which he, as provider for a wife and six children, had to earn a modest living.

What else could have strengthen his arm and let him bear all discomfort, allowing him to find inner bliss at the thought of being able to provide bread for his family and even a little meat for the Sabbath, the longed for and sincerely loved day of rest?

From his proud search for independence within human limitations, there grew a deep need to accept everything as coming from the hand of G-d, and only from His hand.  When prolonged illness resulted in poverty which almost forced him to rely on human aid, it preyed heavily on his mind.  However, the resulting financial crisis provided a valuable incentive for the ten year old Selig and his brother Jakob, two years his senior.  They were determined to undertake the obligation of providing for the family, and in so doing, developed an ideal which they would refine in their later years.  Hence they grew up caring for the needs of others.

Meyer's almost never failing strength was complemented by the gentleness of his wife, Lea.  She was a comforting companion for the children, and stored within her, thoughtful kindness and genuine goodness.  These qualities were transmitted to her children who would later dispense them so generously.

Pure was the soul of Meyer Goldschmidt when he passed away to follow the soul of his departed wife.  In spite of adverse circumstances his mind had managed to attain the tranquil and unshakable repose of genuine Jewish wisdom.  He realized that the pursuit of earthly comforts and physical pleasures are not the main content and aim of life.  Only the acquisition of the goods which G-d desires, namely the fulfillment of Mitzvos can bring lasting peace of mind.  Thus, the existence of the village dweller had gradually become enriched and ennobled, until his life drew to a worthy end with an almost heroic act of Jewish humane love. He already enjoyed the good fortune of reaping what he had sown together with his wife.  He saw the wealth that poured in from all sides, abundant honors bestowed especially on his son Selig, who had not only preserved but developed the qualities that had spurred him on.  With sincere gratitude  the Donor of all that is good, he was already able to live as an independent man in congenial Jewish atmosphere of Frankfurt, where this son had found evident fullfilment for his shining personality.

At this juncture he receive a simple and plain letter full of grief and longing.  A friend from Eschwege, who was blind and whom he had frequently accompanied on his walks, complained in moving words that, after Meyer Goldschmidt's move to Frankfurt, he missed not only his physical support, but above all he lacked spiritual guidance and inner direction.  Then, Meyer Goldschmidt, following the prompting of his best inclination, quickly made up his mind and moved back to Eschwege in order to provide comfort and light for his unfortunate blind friend to the end of days.  He ignored the appeals and wishes of his children who had treated him with tender affection, as well as the attractions of the big city where the powerful new "Israelitische Religionsgesellschaft" had developed.  He was not motivated by mere surge of pity not by a passing emotion, but by the fundamental conviction that he could not make better provisions for his own journey to the next world than this act of kindness to a blind man.