Have a Laugh or Two

The Eau Gallie Record posted jokes on a regular basis for their readership to enjoy.  Here are a few that I will share with you.

A cow stood on the railroad track.
A train came around the bend.
She never had been hit before
But she got it in the end.

A young lady with vamp blue eyes and a store-bought complexion came into the Record office the other day.  And after watching the Linograph in operation for a few minutes said to the operator, "That's an extra large typewriter is it not - but where do you put the paper?"

This is leap year.  If some flappers assume some of Danny Cupid's modesty, they might hit what they shoot for before 1925.

I know a little man
and he plays a little flute.
I know why all the neighbors
are learning how to shoot.

Olde Southern Charm

One of the most fascinating places I have visited is the Eau Gallie Cemetery.  It is not only a beautiful olde southern cemetery, but it holds the history of the town of Eau Gallie, Florida that was established by its founder, John Carroll Houston in 1862.  It is also sad to note that in 1969, this wonderful historical community merged into the city of Melbourne, much to the chagrin of many of its citizens.

Just about anyone that was important to the growth of this gallant little town is buried in the Eau Gallie Cemetery.  I may be biased, but that doesn't change the history, for it is written.  In this cemetery rests Jesse Kerrick, owner of the grocery store and fire chief.  Gov. Gleason and his family is there.

 

The Rossetter family, James, who became known as a leader in the local fishing industry and founded a wholesale fishing enterprise.  He also became an agent for the Standard Oil Company.  Upon his death his daughter Carolyn applied for and took over her father's job and became the first female agent and held the job for 62 years. 

Here you will also find Dr. William Creel, the first doctor to stay in this community, a much loved man who was referred to as one of God's chosen people and the town named the new causeway spanning the Indian River for him.

 

When the Civil War began John Carroll Houston the IV began to operate boats on the Indian River in the interest of the Confederacy,  He was the first man to navigate this river and became known as Captain John.  He was captured and kept prisoner at sea for three months and at the end of the war he was paroled in Key West.

My great grandfather, William Russell Roesch, first mayor of Eau Gallie, his son William Phillip and partner in running the Eau Gallie Record and family members all rest here.  The stories of Ada, Nellie, Lena, and Clarence have been told.

There are many stories of others here who built roads, homes and churches, belonged to various organizations, all to help each other turn a wilderness into the neighborhood community known as Eau Gallie.  But pictures are worth a thousand words.

Eau Gallie Woman's Club

Eau Gallie, Florida was a close knit community.  Women of social prominence had their own association, the Eau Gallie Women's Club.  The purpose was for "The Betterment of Our Town" and their motto was "Not For Ourselves Alone".  The club founded its first library for the town.

Programs consisted of, but were not limited to, a "Child Welfare Tea", "Americanism", "Sculpture", "Japanese Art", and "Crime Prevention".  The meetings were held the second Tuesday of each month promptly at 3:00 in the afternoon in the home of whoever was hostess.

My grandmother, Florence Roesch was named press chairman of the club, a natural choice whereas her husband was the owner, editor and writer of the Eau Gallie Record.  My great grandmother, Ada Louise Houston Roesch and my grandfather's first wife, Nellie Roesch, were listed in memoriam

Pioneer John Carroll Houston III



John Carroll Houston III was an Indian scout during the Third Seminole War.  It was in the late 1850's when this pioneer arrived in a wooded area he named Arlington, later changed Eau Gallie, Florida with a company of soldiers on an Indian hunt when the territory was just a wilderness.  He fell in love the the area and decided this was where he wanted to build his home and live. 

John Carroll Houston 1813-1885
my great great grandfather

When the Second Seminole War ended in 1842, Congress passed the Arms Occupation Act.  It gave settlers the opportunity to earn title to 160 acres by building a house, living on the land for five years and cultivating five acres.  Further, that they would have to take up arms to protect themselves from the Indians that remained in Florida.  

Houston returned to Enterprise, Florida and obtained a soldier's land grant for 160 acres.  He returned to Eau Gallie, built his home with the aid of the 10 slaves his father had given him, and with his oldest sons, it took nearly a year to build the first hickory log cabin for his family and quarters for his slaves.  Finally, on October 5, 1860, this pioneer returned to Enterprise for his family.  It took three weeks to drive the covered wagons hauled by oxen and the herd of cattle and horses. Houston, after homesteading for two years, was deeded an additional 80 acres of land by Abraham Lincoln for his services as an Indian Scout.  This 80 acres of land he would divide among his daughters for their dowry.



Slaves Quarters

Ten months after Ada Houston and William Roesch married in January, 1885, Ada's father, John C. Houston, died leaving 160 acres.  William filed a claim for this tract of land that the act of Congress had officially approved for Houston back on May 20, 1862, some 23 years earlier and proceeded to build two homes.  However, a dispute arose and construction came to a halt until the government land authorities settled the case. 

Although William claimed ownership to the land, the official document was not signed by President Grover Cleveland, and dated until the fifth day of February 1896, almost 11 years after Houston's death.



Faith and Family

William and Ada

It was 1890 and a house of worship for all Methodists in the new community of Eau Gallie, Florida had not yet been established.  From 1890 to 1900, worshipers met any and everywhere they could find space.  My great grandparents, William Russell Roesch and his wife, Ada Louise Houston met under the supervision of William for Sunday School.  On those occasions when a guest minister was not available, William would prepare and give the sermon.

St. Paul's Methodist Church

In 1900 a formal organization was created and William and Ada were among the first few to sign the charter.  It was with faith and vision that this small group undertook the building of St. Paul's Methodist Church.  The first service was held in 1902.

Sadly, this first church burned down on August 6, 1965.  It was rebuilt and continues to serves the community to this day.

Ada gave her husband the gift of a Bible in 1904.  This Bible has been passed down through the years.  Cut out and glued onto this first page in the Bible was the newspaper article of the 62nd wedding anniversary of William's parents, Philip and Helen.  Inside the Bible there are many bookmarks indicating various versus.  A faded Fifth Premium ribbon from the Lenawee County Fair Association, State of Michigan, lay inside.  The fair started in 1839 and continues today.  There is also a white ribbon with red lettering for an Epworth League Convention held in Deland, Florida, Jacksonville District, October 12-13  in 1904 that my Aunt Lena attended. Today it is known as the MYF, Methodist Youth Fellowship.  Postmarked 1941 is a Christmas card addressed to Lena signed by Scott, Florence and Kiddies. This treasure is now in my care.

Update: Since 2013 I had been struggling as to whom I should pass on the family Bible of William and Ada Roesch. It was a responsibility I took seriously to make the right decision. 

 This year it became clear to me and I passed the Bible on to my daughter, Tiffany Marie Lockhard Maher on August 5, 2022, (which just happened to coincide with her birthday) in care for her son Brendan James Maher. 

Tiffany raised her three children in church and built a strong foundation for them to live by. I gave the Bible to her in care for her son Brendan.

Brendan, was Tiffany's first born child. He just graduated from college with a degree in Microbiology and is now working on his masters. Since Brendan was a young boy he has exhibited interest in our family history. This brings me great joy. I know that he will treasure this Bible when his mother decides it is time to pass it on to him. 

My great grandparents, William and Ada  Roesch would be pleased of this decision for church was always their foundation. 

The Old Pineapple Inn

If you are looking for a unique vacation, one with history behind it, then this historic Bed and Breakfast in Eau Gallie, Florida known as The Old Pineapple Inn is just the place for you.  

This beautiful Victorian home that sits on Pineapple Avenue was once owned by William H. Gleason, former Lieutenant Governor of Florida.  He was born in New York in 1829. He was interested in banking, law and politics and was a member of the Skull and Bones Society at Yale.  In 1855 he moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and opened a bank, then moved into sales during the Civil War.

Gleason

The issue of slavery was an interest of Gleason, and having made a name for himself in this cause, he was appointed a special agent of the Freeman's Bureau in 1865. His mission was to scout the Florida peninsula as a possible site for a Negro colony.  The idea of colonization did not appeal to Gleason. His recommendation against a Negro colony in Florida garnered local political support in future years.

There is a lot to see in this little historic community that sits along the edge of the Indian River. The area is one my favorite places for this is where my great grandfather, William Roesch, ventured to when he left Potosi, Wisconsin.  Here he lived and became the first Mayor of this wonderful town.  Gleason and my grandfather had more than a professional connection. (More about his life story another day) 

It is important to note here that it was in 1969 that the City of Melbourne and Eau Gallie citizens voted for unification of their towns.  So there is no longer an Eau Gallie; it is all Melbourne, The Harbour City.  Here you will still find citizens that take pride in their community of Eau Gallie and will call it that until the day they die.  Still today, everywhere you look, the name is still seen on signs, buildings and churches.  The town is loved by all who know her or live there.