My grandfather, F.L. Roosa was born about 1880 around Albion, Calhoun Co. MI and died in 1947. For many years, he owned and ran a small store at the corner of Northland Drive and East Main Street in Rockford, MI that sold gas and groceries. After his death in 1947, a man named “Johnnie” ran the store, followed by Rolenhagens, then Dennie Bradley. It’s currently a Vitale’s Pizza.

This is an old family story, which may or may not be true. Given the age of the story, it may be difficult to uncover the truth of the story.

Back during the early days of aviation, two men came to my grandfather’s store after landing a small plane up on a hill east of the store. They said they were out of gas and wanted to buy some. Grandpa refused, since he didn’t have the correct type of gas that would work for the plane. The men then went to another station where they were able to buy gas.

They walked back to the plane, took off, and crashed somewhere west of Rockford shortly after takeoff.

(I’d like to thank my daughter for typing this for me.)

Several months ago, I called the court house in Medina , Ohio. A very nice lady there gave me all the information for Joseph K. Bagley…

J.K. Bagley Died 10 March 1897. There are no parents, cause of death, place of birth, etc. I also asked about his wife Mary, the only thing I could get was she died before 1867, as there are no records for her. Hope this helps.

Does anyone know of the cemetaries, as I haven’t been able to find where they are buried?

Haven’t had time lately to work on my genealogy. Between work and then being laid off, tracing my roots have kind of taken a back seat.

Have been going through all our things to get rid of the junk that accumulates. Its like the pennies in the bottom of your purse and/or pocket… where it all comes from, I have no idea. Got rid of a tent, but have 3 more. I don’t remember the last time we went camping! At my age, the ground is awful far away now. Got rid of a dresser, it held very few clothes… just more junk. Got a Christmas tree, but haven’t put one up in years thanks to the cats. (How many times did I have to stand it back up?)

Been spending more time playing World of Warcraft with my daughter. Its better than sleeping all day and trying to sleep all night. Besides, I can pretend its my former supervisor I’m peppering with arrows and sicking my big (often red) saber-tooth cat on. If that isn’t fun…

Considering moving to either Dallas, TX or Richmond, VA to look for work. Richmond would put me closer to the national archives and provide plenty of internship options for my daughter, a web designer. But Dallas is full of Sally’s and my online friends and would also provide many opportunities. Both would also have warmer winters than Michigan, which is getting harder and harder for me to take each year. We decided to give it until June 15th before we make the firm decision on whether we’re moving.

The waiting is getting difficult. Very few, if any, job prospects regardless of age or experience. With Chrysler and GM poised to enter bankruptcy, I don’t see much of a future… not with the way Michigan has its economy set up.

Thanks to other researchers, and taking another long look at census and marriage and death records, I finally figured where to look for John Burr Bagley’s parents. John B. Bagley and Emma M. Taylor are my Great, Great Grand parents through their daughter, Lois. John B. is the son of Joseph K. and Mary Bagley and was born in Medina, Medina Co., Ohio.

Joseph and Mary had several children: Louisa, George, Sarah, Frank, John, John (Joseph), and Mary. Frank died in the Civil War, one month after enlisting. His father applied for his pension December of 1883.