William Roesch

William Russell Roesch (born July 1865) was the first mayor of Eau Gallie, Florida. He served six-terms in 1896, 1901, 1905, 1908, 1924, and 1925. He was the founder and editor of the newspaper The Eau Gallie Record. He also served as postmaster.

William Russell Roesch
1st, 5th, 9th, 11th, and 21st Mayor of Eau Gallie, Florida
In office 1896–1897
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	John Caroll Houston, IV
In office 1901–1902
Preceded by	C. L. Taylor
Succeeded by	W.J. Nesbett
In office 1905–1906
Preceded by	George Paddison
Succeeded by	S.K. Watts
In office 1908–1909
Preceded by	S.K. Watts
Succeeded by	George Paddison
In office 1924–1925
Preceded by	G.P. Bond
Succeeded by	J.E. Torrence
Personal details
Born	July 1865[1] Wisconsin[1]
Died	Eau Gallie, Florida
Resting place	Houston Pioneer Cemetery, Eau Gallie, Florida
Spouse(s)	Ada Louise Houston (b. 1856, Volusia County, Florida; m. January 16, 1885,[2] Brevard County, Florida; d. 1925)
Children	Mary, Earl Leroy, William Phillip
Residence(s)	1320 Highland Avenue, Roesch House, Eau Gallie, Florida
Occupation	Newspaper editor, postmaster[3]

Roesch, was the first town treasurer of Eau Gallie in 1887.

In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson appointed Roesch postmaster of Eau Gallie, and reappointed him in 1918. In 1921, he was reappointed by President Warren Harding. Roesch was also member of the local volunteer fire department.

He founded The Eau Gallie Record in 1916. He turned over the day-to-day operations of the newspaper to his son, William Phillip Roesch, when he became Eau Gallie's mayor. The Roesch family sold the Record in 1925 when both William R. Roesch's wife and his son's wife died within weeks of each other that year.^[4]

See also

• Roesch House - a frame vernacular style house built in about 1901. In 1945, the house was bought by one of William Rosseter's daughters, Caroline, who donated it in 1992 to the Florida Historical Society. It was made the society's state headquarters.