The Roessler Family
By Rodney Hynes
December 20, 1852 brought a new and only son to the home of Heinrich and Margraret Roessler. Heinrich, a farmer, farmed near Whonsidel, Bavaria. His new son was named John Christian. John had three sisters, but no brothers. Father Roessler had made quite a bit of money so when John decided that he would like to become a Lutheran minister his father gave him permission to attend college.
Johann Christian Roessler
John, for seemingly no apparent reason dropped out of school and came to America in 1874. It has been rumored that he left Bavaria to avoid conscription into the army. At any rate, he had $1,000 in his pocket when he came to the United States.
When he arrived in New York he immediately set out to travel around the states to look over the opportunities this country had to offer him. Knowing no other occupation, he settled in Wisconsin and worked for a farmer. He possible may have rented a farm. After some years in Wisconsin he came to Minnesota where he farmed in the Minnesota Lake area. Despite the $1,000 he had when he came over, John never felt it necessary that he should own a farm.
While exchanging help with a neighbor, William Dagner, John met his neighbor's daughter, Amelia. The two were married December 10, 1890. John was then 36, Amelia 20.
Their marriage brought about seven children: Heinrich, born September 11, 1891, died December 12, 1956; Christian, born July 6, 1893; Clara, born October 24, 1896; Elsie, my maternal grandmother, born August 21, 1898; Edward, born June 1, 1900, died September 1900; Emil, born December 11, 1902; Arthur, born February 11, 1908.
John worked his rented farm land most of his married life, however, he served as post master of Plum Valley for a few years. German was spoken in the home until their children were in school.
John's wife, Amelia, was the daughter of William Dagner and Agusta Dagner (Marquardt). William was born in 1840 and died in 1890; Agusta was born in 1849 and died in 1925. William farmed in Germany.
Emilie Wilhelmine Ernestine Dagner
Their daughter, Amelia Ernestine Dagner, was born February 8, 1869 in Pagenkopf, Germany. In 1881 Amelia's family came to America because of a letter they had gotten from relatives already in the United States. They came across the United States in a covered wagon and settled near Minnesota Lake. When they got to Minnesota Lake they rented a farm.
The Dagner family was Lutheran. Amelia didn't have much of a formal education, she only had twelve days of school in her whole life.