Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Rominger, Julius C. 1855 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 21, 2007, 6:07 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) JULIUS C. ROMINGER. It is the purpose of this volume to preserve an authentic record as far as possible of the lives and deeds of those who have assisted in the upbuilding of the varied interests of Bartholomew county. The rank that a city or county holds very largely depends upon the achievements of its citizens. Some add to its reputation by efficient public service, some by professional skill, some by increasing its manufacturing or commercial interests and some by cultivating its lands. To give a faithful account of the lives of old settlers and representative citizens of the present is to write the history of a community in its truest sense. For many years Julius C. Rominger was actively associated with business affairs in Bartholomew county and took a very helpful part in promoting the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of Hope. He is pre-eminently a self-made man. He began life with a divine purpose in view, worked faithful, honestly and with a will for its accomplishment and now enjoys an enviable reputation in business circles. As the result of his well directed labors he is now enabled to live retired and, in the enjoyment of a handsome competence, is spending his days in his pleasant home in the city of Columbus. Mr. Rominger also deserves mention in this volume as one of the native sons of Bartholomew county. He was born in Hall Creek township, on the 16th of March, 1855. and is a son of the late Levi J. and Rebecca (Fetter) Rominger, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. Under the parental roof the subject of this review was reared and his education was acquired in the public schools. His boyhood and youth were quietly passed, unmarked by any event of special importance. In his business career he made for himself a splendid reputation in trade circles by reason of honorable methods, progressive ideas and close application. For twenty years he was engaged in business with his father and brother, this being the leading mercantile establishment in Hope. For three years Mr. Rominger of this review was alone in the ownership and conduct of the men's furnishing goods store. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion and his methods were creditable and straightforward. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction and throughout the years of his connection with commercial interests in Hope his patronage steadily increased. He is a man of keen sagacity, quick to comprehend a business situation, a man careful, prudent and honest and was therefore favored not by chance, but by the due exercise of his own qualities. Mr. Rominger has been twice married. On the 26th of December, 1875, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Emma A. Burcham, a daughter of Augustine and Phoebe (Gambold) Burcham, who were natives of North Carolina. Her father, who was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his business career, died on the 12th of January, 1859. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, giving an unfaltering support to the principles of the party. In his family were two children: John F., who was born in 1856, and through many years was employed as a clerk in Hope; and Emma, who was born on the 9th of June, 1858, and was the wife of the subject. She traveled life's journey with him for about five and a half years and was then called to her final rest on the 20th of May, 1881. There was but one child by that marriage: Oliver F., who was born on the 22d of December, 1876, and is now a musician of Indianapolis. He wedded Miss Lucy Winterberg, November 20, 1901, and they now have one child, Glenn E., who was born November 12, 1902. After the loss of his first wife Mr. Rominger was again married, his second union being with Clara E. Ricksecker, a daughter of Rev. Benjamin and Charlotte (Eyerman) Ricksecker, of Pennsylvania. Her father was a missionary to the West Indies and was most devoted and zealous in his church work, being largely successful in his efforts to advance the cause of Christianity and to extend its influence among his fellow men for their betterment. Unto the second marriage of Mr. Rominger have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Harry C., who was born March 30, 1883, and is a clerk in a store at Chicago; Ethel G., who was born February 20, 1886, and died on the 2d of December, 1892; and Florence H., who was born July 2, 1895, and completes the family. Mrs. Rominger was born at Graceham, Maryland, August 29, 1858, and is a most estimable lady. Mr. Rominger continued to reside in Hope until April 16, 1900, although in 1897 he retired from business life. At the date mentioned he removed to Columbus, where he has since lived. He purchased a fine residence at No. 1027 Pearl street, where he and his family are now comfortably located, and in addition to this property he owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and productive land in Hope. It is known as the Brookside farm and is now well cultivated and highly improved. Since 1888 one man has remained continuously as a tenant upon that place. In his political views Mr. Rominger is a Republican whose allegiance to the party is unfaltering. He has firm faith in its principles and his close study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to believe that the welfare of the nation will be greatly promoted through the adoption of the Republican platform. For four years he served as a member of the city council while in Hope. During his residence there he was also a member of the Moravian church, but since his removal to Columbus has united with the Presbyterian church. He is a charter member of Byron Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 727, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which was organized in Hope April 23, 1897. He is true to the teachings of this organization and is regarded as a valued representative thereof. His entire life has been passed in this county and he is very widely and favorably known. In manner he is free from all ostentation and display, but his intrinsic worth is recognized and his friendship is most prized by those who know him best, showing that his character will bear the scrutiny of close acquaintance. He is a generous spirited, broad-minded man, a true type of American manhood and an embodiment of that progress which in the last few years has turned to this country the admiring gaze of the nations of the world. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/rominger701gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 7.2 Kb