ROMICH
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Portrait and Biographical Record ~ Pages 362 &
363
Kindly submitted by:
Barbara Gallagher
OWEN ROMICH was one of the shrewdest and
most intelligent business men of Catasauqua, as is shown by the
success which crowned his efforts. He was descended from one of
the oldest and most prominent families in the county, and was
engaged as a general merchant, his place of business being
located on the corner of Race and Front Streets for many years.
He was a native of North Whitehall, this county, and was born
September 3, 1819, to Peter Romich, who was also born in the
above place.
The grandfather of our subject,
who likewise bore the name of Peter, was a native of Saucon
Township, this county, where his father, Adam Romich, was a
miller. The grandfather, who also made that industry his life
work, came to Whitehall Township when a young man of twenty
years, and erected a mill on Coplay Creek, which he conducted
until his decease. It was then operated by Owen’s father and his
brother. The former died June 27, 1867, after having passed his
seventy- second birthday. He was a prominent worker in the
German Reformed Church, and lived in harmony with his
profession. His wife, Mrs. Selma (Wermer) Romich, was born in
South Whitehall Township, and was the daughter of George Wermer,
who came from Germany to America when a lad of fourteen years.
He first located in New Jersey, where he engaged in farming
pursuits, and became well versed in the English language. After
coming to this county he purchased property in South Whitehall
Township, upon which he resided until his decease, at the age of
seventy-five years. The mother of our subject became the parent
of thirteen children, and departed this life in 1847.
Owen, the subject of this
sketch, who is the eldest of the family, attended school but a
short time, and when ten years of age began working in his
father’s mill. He became thoroughly trained in that business,
and four years later was competent to be intrusted with its
management. The mill is still standing on Coplay Creek, and is
three stories in height, and 30x50 feet in dimensions. When
twenty-five years old he rented the property and carried on the
business on his own account, having a large custom trade. At the
same time he superintended the operations of the farm, which he
also purchased later on, and cultivated until 1865. That year he
rented his plant to his son Henry.
In the above year Mr. Romich
removed with his family into the city, and opened a general
merchandise store in company with C.B. Breinig. This connection
lasted for two years, when Mr. Breinig retired from the
business. His interest was purchased by Mr. Koons, and the style
of the company was changed to Koons & Romich. In 1872, however,
Mr. Romich bought out his partner’s interest in the concern and
afterward carried on the business alone, and was one of the
oldest merchants in the city. In 1864 he became the proprietor
of the building on the corner of Front and Race Streets, which
is 20x55 feet in dimensions, with two stories and a basement.
Mr. Romich was married May 19,
1840, to Miss Polly, daughter of Joseph Kern. She was born near
Egypt Church, in this township, which was also the birthplace of
her father, who was a farmer by occupation. The children who
were born to them include two sons, Henry K., who is carrying on
the mill, and Frank W., who was in business with his father, but
is now deceased. Mr. Romich, the subject of this biographical
sketch, died October 3, 1894. In religious matters he was an
Elder of the German Reformed Church for many years; in politics
he was a Democrat. He was a popular man in the community, justly
meriting the esteem in which he was held, and his loss will long
be felt.
Typed By: Barbara Gallagher
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I also want to
inform you that there is an error in the Portrait and
Biographical Record of Owen Romich. Selma Wenner, daughter of
George Wenner, not Wermer married Owen's son Peter. For your
convenience, the spot where it appears in the bio is noted on
the attachment. If the original record was incorrect can you
make the correction?
Thanks again!Judy Wenner Wilson
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