Forever Laced

Book excerpt: From the Napoleonic Wars to family gatherings in 2008, Forever Laced tells the history of one extraordinary family through events large and small, of historic and personal significance. Franz Josef Rsch, after fighting in Napoleons French Army in Russia in 1807, returns home, marries and has six children. Franzs experiences in the military affected how he raised his children. He taught them not to be fearful in defending justice in order to attain a better life. Franzs youngest child, Mathias, and future generations of the Roesch familywhose name was anglicized upon arrival in the U.S., like so many othersemphasized the importance of family and sacrifice. These younger generations journeyed to new places, such as New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, and the Florida community of Eau Gallie. The stories of their extraordinary lives chronicle and mirror the development of America. They are husbands and wives, farmers, politicians, teachers, and entrepreneurs who struggle to live the American Dream. Kathryn Smith Lockhard, a direct descendant of the Roesch and Houston families, conducted years of research and collected information from diaries, newspapers, books, memoirs, and other sources to compile this history. Join her as she uncovers the struggles of her forefathers and finds lessons of faith, patriotism and love. Examine the history of a great family and an entire nation in Forever Laced.