Biography: Jacob R. ROMIG: Earl Twp, Berks Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Betty Burdan USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. Published weekly newspaper Boyertown Democrat, Thursday, October 13, 1938 Surnames: BANKERT, BINDER, CASE, ERB, GROH, NESTER, ROMIG, ROHRBACH, ROTHERMEL, STELTZ "Mr. and Mrs. Jacob R. ROMIG Observe 60th Anniversary of Wedding Day" Jacob R. ROMIG (now 82), veteran Boyertown shoemaker, and Sophia B. NESTER, (now 80) were united in marriage October 12, 1878, in St. John's Lutheran Church, Boyertown by the late Rev. Leonard GROH, the pastor of the congregation. Yesterday, the widely known couple, in an informal manner amidst congratulations of their family, relatives and friends at their home, 29 East Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown observed their 60th anniversary of their marriage. They were showered with greetings and congratulations. Both are in good health, despite their years, and are still active. Mr. ROMIG was born near Worman, Earl Township, June 16, 1856, the son of the late George R. and Sara (ROHRBACH) ROMIG. Mrs. ROMIG, the former Sophia B. NESTER, was born near Gilbertsville, Douglass Township [Montg. Co], January 31, 1859, the daughter of the late Jacob and Emma (BINDER) NESTER. Their only son George A. ROMIG, who now conducts the shoe business at 29 East Philadelphia Avenue, which the elder ROMIG carried on successfully for 33 years, resides at 135 North Reading Avenue. Miss Mary ROTHERMEL ROMIG, the granddaughter of Mrs. and Mrs. George ROMIG is enrolled as a student at Western College in Oxford, Ohio. Jacob R. ROMIG, long an active Boyertown businessman began making shoes, aiding his father, the late George R. ROMIG, when but 14 years of age, and thus began a career that has continued to this day. In 1874 he worked at his trade with his uncle, Zephania ROMIG, at Swamp, New Hanover Township. He was there nine months and then went to Greshville to work for another Uncle Henry ROMIG, who was also a shoemaker. After four months he left for Philadelphia where he finished his trade with William J.BANKERT, who was at that time considered one of the finest boot and shoe makers in the city. At that time men wore boots and the BANKERT establish- ment catered to trade wanting very fine merchandise, receiving as much as $50 a pair. In November, 1878, ROMIG entered the employ of Joseph S. CASE, Boyertown. Here he worked about four months and in the Spring of 1879 he and his wife started house keeping at Swamp. At that place ROMIG opened a shoemaking and repair shop, doing a lot of custom work, especially for crippled feet. In 1882, feeling there was a need for factory-made shoes, he opened a shoe store on the first floor of a small frame building and on the second floor worked at shoe making. This building, standing alone and with no occupant at night, was prey to thieves. The store was visited by robbers seven different times and about $1000 worth of shoes stolen. In 1890 ROMIG erected a shoe storeroom and dwelling a short distance away from his first place of business and there his family resided for a period of four years. April 2, 1894, the ROMIGs moved to Boyertown, where ROMIG bought the shoe business and repair shop of Joseph S. CASE, at 29-31 East Philadelphia Avenue. He carried on the business successfully for 33 years. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributors Note: In "The Descendents of Johannes Casper ERB; and his Oldest Son Johannes Heinrich" compiled by Edward R. ERB and Leroy R. ERB, privately published by Leroy R. ERB the following was found: Hattie Esther ERB (b.1-2-1831 d. 1913) d/o David ERB and Julian STELTZ, m. Zephaniah ROMIG on Oct. 16, 1869 [uncle mentioned above]