John Albert and his Bride

Mathias and Magdalena Roesch sailed from Germany to America in 1857, settling in Potosi, Wisconsin to have a better life for themselves and their children.  Their son John Albert was the first Roesch born American citizen in 1860.

On March 18 1880 he married Susan LaNette Taylor, known lovingly as Nettie.  They had two children, Son Lake Basil and daughter Iona Blanch.




Iona Blanch Roesch

 

John and Nettie

Ada Voted Yes




Ada Louise Houston
1857 - 1924

  My great grandmother, Ada Louise Houston was born in Enterprise, Florida on May 19, 1857.  When she was three years of age, her father, John C. Houston III brought his family to live in Eau Gallie.  He was after all the founder of the town.  She was 19 years old, still living at home, with her parents when she gave birth to a daughter, Eva Lena Houston, born on Ada's 19th birthday. 

Ada married William Russell Roesch on January 16, 1885 and she brought Eva Lena with her and William welcomed her and gave her his name. Our family called her Aunt Lena.  Ada was nine years older that her husband. 


Ada is listed in memoriam
in this book

  Ada, along with her husband, was one of the founders and builders of the Methodist Church in Eau Gallie.  She was also a member of the Eau Gallie's Women's Club.  Many Sunday's she would have her minister over for dinner.  On those occasions, children were seen and not heard.  Her son had to eat after the minister left.  But, it was not unusual for Ada to sneak her son a piece of chicken.

Ada gave her husband six children, three girls and three boys, but only one child, a son survived, my grandfather, William Phillip born May 2, 1893.  (Mary, b Dec 22, 1885, d May 6, 1887, infant son b April 2, 1887 d Apr 3, 1887, infant daughter, born and died Jan 15, 1888, infant daughter, born and died Aug 22, 1889, and Earl Leroy Roesch b Oct 7 1895 d Oct 26 1895)

According to an article in an old newspaper, Ada was involved in the local school.  It was about the controversy of allowing five Japanese children to attend the public school.  Some of the Eau Gallie citizens obviously didn't want them there, they should have their own school they cried.  Ada voted to allow these five children to attend school with her son.  I am so proud of my great grandmother and her decision to vote yes.

The Great Atlantic Hurricane and Me

This story is going to give my age away, oh well.  But, with hurricane Irene making her presence known, I felt it would be an appropriate time to tell this story. (Today, 2021, it's Hurricane Ida) Some might say I am focused, determined or have tunnel vision.  I do know when I have a goal I work until I get it done.  Somewhat like a hurricane, nothing can stop her.  I wonder if a being born during a hurricane had any influence on my personality. Maybe, but then again I am always accused of looking through rose colored glasses. Guess I just like to look beyond the dark, windy, rainy days to the bright side.

It was on September, 7, 1944 when I entered this world; born on the Banana River Naval Base Hospital (known as Patrick Air Force Base today) in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  While in the hospital a hurricane warning was issued.  It was first detected on September 9, northeast of the Lesser Antilles.  It likely developed from a tropical wave several days before.  It moved northwestward and steadily intensified to a 140 mph (230 km/h) major hurricane on the 12th, northeast of the Bahamas.    The Miami Hurricane Warning Office designated this storm The Great Atlantic Hurricane, to emphasize its intensity and size, which appears to be the first time a name was designated by the office that evolved into the National Hurricane Center. 

Wood Plank Bridge

All patients at the Naval Base Hospital had to be evacuated.  My mother and I were put into the back of a military jeep that drove us over a wood plank bridge that crossed the Indian and Banana Rivers to a school in Melbourne and given a cot to lie on.  Later, we were moved to a small Melbourne hospital after the men were moved out of one ward to make room.

 My grandmother had arrived at the base to take us home just as we were being driven away.  My poor grandmother and father went into a panic trying to find us.  It took them until the next morning to find us partly because the military kept moving us about.  Thankfully, the hurricane turned northward and on the 14th it hit the Outer Banks.



I just love the first home I lived in. This adorable little cottage that sat on my grandparents property still exists today minus the front screened-in-porch.  I think I feel like Abe Lincoln.

Sweets For The Sweet

My husband's grandfather, Oscar Maxell (1879-1961) owned a candy store at 251 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, that he operated from 1907-1915. He was listed in the city directory as selling ice cream and confections. 

Below are some of his candy receipes

written in his own hand.

He would put customers orders up in this pretty little victorian box

A Good Samaritan

A good friend is one who you have never met, but a friend none-the-less who will take their time to do something special for you.  That is Annmarie.  We first became acqainted on facebook, now we are friends on blogger. 

Joseph Roesch is my great, great uncle, (1836-1905).  His father, Mathias, sent him to America in 1853 so his son wouldn't be forced to join the German military. Joseph was the first Roesch family member to sail to America at the age of 16.  He settled in Wurtsboro, New York.

Annmarie, who lives in NY was kind enough to make a trip over to the Sylvan Cemetery to take pictures  for me.  Then she mailed them and wouldn't accept any reimbursement for her time or postage.  The extra mile was when I received a box.  I opened it up and was quite surprised.  She enclosed this letter. 

Hello Kathryn

Enclosed you'll find the pinecone and pine needles/branch I found on your ancestor's grave.  I want you to feel like you were there.  Happy Easter!  Annmaire

 A very grateful thank you to you, Annmarie. 



Joseph Eugene Roesch
and his wife
Rachel Ann Smith

 


Church he attended



Two Knots Tied Up Quick



                                      Oskosh Northwestern Oskosh, Wisconsin

                                       February l, 1888
                                       Victorian Valentine Wedding 



Ida M Roesch



Ella J Roesch







"Mr. Henry Korber married Miss Ida M. Roesch and one minute later Mr. William L. Gelbach was tied to Miss Ella J. Roesch. 



Mr. and Mrs. Philip Roesch took the mingled loss and blessing as well as could be expected.  Rev. E. M. Corey tied the two knots up quick and in the most approved fashion.  The parents were congratulated on the addition of two fine sons-in-law."



"The men had made a most excellent selection for their companions in life.  The husbands on the other hand, were thrifty, energetic businessmen, and neither of the men, smoked, chewed, nor drank."







Father and Daughter - Serendipity

This picture I find particularly poignant.  It is of my mother, Elsie, looking at her father's tombstone taken in September of 2008.  Her father was William Phillip Roesch. Unfortunately, her parents divorced after ten years of marriage when she was eight-years-old.  Her mother, Florence, remarried Scott Hilligoss in April of 1944 when Elsie was 15.

It was two years earlier, March of 2006, when I went looking for his stone; to see the grandfather I never knew.  Once discovered, I was surprised at my reaction, a feeling of such anger and hurt came over me and I asked him quite sternly "Why didn't you care?" (About me, the granddaughter you never knew.)  I had a grandfather I loved, my step-grandfather, Scott, the only grandfather I knew, and he loved me.  

I believe William heard me and he set out to answer that question.  I felt my grandfather leading me to the answers. Amazing pieces of evidence seemed to find their way to my hands.  I discovered that yes, he did indeed care, so very much.

The door to the Roesch family had been opened and each member of the family beckoned unto me.  This was how my genealogy passion began that led to me writing "Forever Laced".

WWII War Effort Donation

My 2nd great grandfather, William R. Roesch established the Eau Gallie Record newspaper in 1916.  He was its writer, publisher, and editor. When this pioneer became Mayor of this quaint town of Eau Gallie, Florida his son, my grandfather, William P. Roesch, assumed most of the responsibility for the production of the paper.

It was in September  of 1925 after the death of the Mayor's wife, Ada, and a week later, his son's wife, Nellie, that father and son decided to sell the newspaper. 

When WWII was fully engaged, my grandfather donated the old printing press. 




Printing Press





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. 

Smells That Bring Happy Memories

A wonderful memory for me was visiting my maternal grandmother, Florence Sterling and step-grandfather, Virgil Scott Hilligoss, known as Scott, and my great grandmother, Elsie Eldridge whom I called Gram, in Florida.  We went there every year for the first two weeks in July when dad got his vacation. (Read Gentle Hands) Scott was married to my grandmother before I was born, so he truly was a grandfather to me.

The family homestead property included a garage that my grandfather ran. He purchased it from his father-in-law who first ran it. Scott pumped gas and as a great mechanic worked on many cars.  I came to love the smell of gasoline.

It also brings back the happy memories of traveling from Massachusetts to Florida by car, stopping to refuel, picnics at rest stops for lunch, going over the George Washington Bridge and all the other wonderful and familiar sights.  I remember when I was about twelve-years-old  laying there in the back seat with a pillow under my head looking up at the clouds.  I even made up a song about the clouds that I remember to this day. (My very first poem.)

I'd like to be a cloud up in the sky when I die

So I can look down and see the world all around.

And as I go by a certain house

I'll look in the winda

At my dear Linda

My lova Linda dear.



Scott, age 70
1891-1969

Soon we would be there and I could watch my grandfather pump gasoline, and see the fumes spiral upward in the hot Florida sun.  I would also visit with him in the garage and watch him work with his strong hands covered in grease.  When it was time for lunch, my grandfather would go over and pick up the small blue glazed tin bowl that sat on a wooden shelf between the two very large doors.  He would then go to the rain barrel that sat just outside to fill it and then returned to wash his hands.  This is the second smell I fell in love with, lifebuoy soap.

To this day, these two smells always bring back the happy memories of being with family that I loved so dearly.