I am writing about the Roessler families this week.

John Roessler was born in 1871 and married Flora Wagner in 1906. He had a farm implement and feed store near the train depot. (When I could persuade my father to take me with him to town, he would buy me a stick of peppermint candy at Mr. Roessler's store.) Mr. Roessler worked for George Bauer when he first came to Mancos. He then helped operate the Miller Mercantile. (Around 1910, that mercantile was located in the Bauer Mercantile at the northwest corner of Grand and Main.) Later, he owned the farm and feed store. He passed away in August 1944. Flora was born in 1873 and died in August 1942.

Frank Roessler a brother of John's, was born in 1882 and passed away in February 1956.

Charles Roessler, a brother of John and Frank's, was born in 1873. He had been working at the Bauer Mercantile but wanted to make more money, so he started working at the Doyle mine. He was there only a few months before the tragic snowslide at the Doyle mine took his life along with five others. He passed away on Feb. 16, 1936.

Albert Roessler, a brother of John, Frank and Charles', was born in 1874. He raised 60 bushels of wheat per acre in 1924, apparently a high yield at the time. He was survived by his wife, Lucy; son, Sam; daughter, Theresa Paquin; sister, Louisa Wagner; and brothers, Joe and Frank. He passed away in June 1947. Lucy passed away in July 1968. Lucy and Albert had a son who passed away as a young child from pneumonia in December 1906.

Louisa Roessler was born in 1876. She came to Mancos in 1894, and married Emery Wagner in July 1905. She passed away in April 1966.

William Roessler was born in 1861. He was a brother of John, Albert and Charles. He married Augusta Schultz Bauer, George Bauer's widow. She lived only a few years after their marriage. William was one of the oldest residents of Mancos at the time of his death. He spent many years as an employee of the George Bauer Mercantile Co. He passed away in May 1926.

Sam Hadley Roessler, a son of Albert and Lucy, was born in 1913. Except for the time he spent in the U.S. Army during WWII, he spent his life in Mancos. He spent time as a resident of nursing home in Durango, but shortly before his death, he began living at the Mancos home. He passed away in April 1974.

Katherine Roessler, a sister of John, Frank and Charles', was born in 1875, She passed away in 1915, still single.

Darrel Ellis is a longtime historian of the Mancos Valley. Email him at [email protected].