My Genealogy Hound

JOHN ROESCH. Prominent among the influential business men of Joplin, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Roesch was born in Reutlingen, Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, March 7, 1834. His parents, J. M. and Mary (Sommer) Roesch, were also of Wurtemburg. His father was born Feb. 9, 1796, and died Dec. 24, 1855. His life was principally spent in agricultural pursuits. His mother was born Dec. 11, 1811, and died May 22, 1866. Subject was raised in the old country, receiving a very liberal education in the high schools. When fourteen years of age he engaged to learn the trade of tanner, continuing in that business until 1865. He then traveled for a time in France, Spain, and other European countries, and in the fall of that year immigrated to America, sailing from Hamburg in the Allemania and arriving at New York City November 25. He came west immediately and engaged first at Allegheny City, Penn., then at St. Louis; afterward at Neosho, Newton county, and in the spring of 1871 came to Joplin. Shortly after coming here he engaged in the mercantile business, but discontinued in that line and has since been in various occupations, being largely interested in real estate. Mr. Roesch was married in Germany, July 19, 1860 to Miss Fredericke Lutz, who died July 16. 1863. They had one child, Mary L., born April 21, 1861. Subject was again married in Reutlingen, April 15, 1864, to Miss Mary Muhlersen, of Eningen. She died at Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 3, 1860. Mr. Roeseh was again married in St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 1869, to Miss Mary Pop, of Bohemia, Austria. Mrs. Roeseh was born Sept. 5, 1845. From this union there are three children, Mary R., born Sept. 11, 1870; Laura, born Nov. 30, 1872; and Emma, born March 27, 1875.