Progressive Men of Southern Idaho
Pages 612-613
Charles Romrielle
One of strong characters of the pioneer period of the West, in which he gave most valiant and effective service in resisting and guarding against the attacks of the numerous hostile Indians. Charles Romrielle, who was also one of the pioneer settlers of Bear Lake county, Idaho, where he now holds his residence, has for many years been active in aiding the onward movement of the forces of civilization and been a most useful member of the Mormon church. He was born in the beautiful island of Jersey, in the English Channel, not far from the coast of France, on May 17, 1843, being the son of Francis and Mary (Billow) Romrielle, the family being an ancient one in Jersey. In 1855, when he was but twelve years of age, he came with his parents to the United States, they being zealous Mormons who desired full advantages of church privileges, and from that early period he has been connected with the marvelous growth of the West, doing ably his part in the general improvements. His mother died in May, 1866, and the father in October, 1872, both having impressed themselves upon the hearts of the people by their numerous good qualities, and the consistency of their religious belief.
At the age of nineteen Mr. Romrielle went to the new country of Cache Valley, Utah, and for the greater part of two and one-half years he was there located he was on guard against Indians. For five years thereafter he was at work in the canyons near Ogden, thence going to the newly-laid-out town of Laketown, where he remained for twelve years aiding in building up the town and also carrying on farming. Following this he migrated to Ashley Fork, Wyo. In search of a satisfactory location for a home for his family, but finding nothing there to meet his wishes, he traveled into the southeastern part of Idaho and made the family home at Garden Creek, now Robin. From that time to the present writing his residence has been in Oneida and Bear Lake counties, occupying his present ranch about twenty-five years. He has seen great changes since he struck the trail into this section and he has so improved and developed his property by his steady and persistent endeavors that it has largely increased in value, being one of the best improved farms of the valley. From the first farming has been his chief industry, although he has devoted attention for many years to stockraising. A quiet, unostentatious individual, he has not cared to meddle in the excitement of politics, although holding decided views on all public matters of a local character, but in the higher realms of the activities of the church he has rendered faithful and appreciated service in numerous official capacities, holding the position of second counselor to the bishop of his ward for thirteen years.
On December 1, 1865, Mr. Romrielle was united in marriage with Miss Mary Marley, a daughter of John C. and Gwendolyn G. (Mathews) Marley, the father being a native of Devonshire, England, and the mother of the south of Wales. Her parents came to Utah in 1861 and after eighteen month's residence removed to Idaho, her father being a miner by occupation and receiving severe injuries from a coal slide in Pennsylvania. He died in Bear Lake county on July 4, 1898; the mother, a hale and hearty lady, is now living near
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Robin, Idaho, at the dignified age of eighty-five years. We append as a suitable close of this memoir a brief record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Romrielle: Mary Ann, born at Ogden, Utah on December 1, 1866; Charles A. Jr. born at Ogden, June 29, 1868; George H. born in Laketown, Utah, on March 17, 1870; Lorenzo, at Laketown, on March 24, 1872, died February 10, 1899, in Montana; Sarah J., Laketown, November 7, 1875; Walter, Laketown, January 3, 1879; Elizabeth G., born at Robin, Idaho (as were all the younger ones), on February 15, 1881; Laura P., born March 20, 1883; Hyrum, born January 3, 1885, died in infancy; Frances E., born March 28, 1889.
Obituary
Charles Abram Romriell I came across the plains with the Thomas harper company in 1855. His family first settled in Salt Lake, he moved to Ogden for a time and later to Bear lake. Mr. Romriell made his home in Marsh Valley from 1878 until 1908 when he moved to McCammon. He was a rancher and active in church work, being a member of the early bishopric of the Robin Ward. When he came West, he walked across the plains with an ox team. He died at the age of 88 at the home of a son, George Romriell, at McCammon April 28, 1932. Surviving are four sons and four daughters: Mrs. Joseph Capell (Mary Ann), Mrs. W.I. Lewis (Sarah Jane), Charles, George, and Walter all of McCammon, John of Logan, and Mrs. E.G. Anderson and Mrs. T.C. Henderson of Los Angeles, California.
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