Elmer J Romine Sr (1891 - 1972)

Born 10 Aug 1891 in Louisiana, United States

Husband of Viola (Majors) Romine — married 4 Dec 1916 in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States

Died 25 Jun 1972 at age 80 in Alameda, California, United States

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Biography

Elmer Romine Sr is a part of US Black heritage.

Elmer was born in 1891. It's not clear who is parents are, or how he was born in Louisiana and ended up in Nebraska in 1916. He married Viola Majors on Dec 4, 1916 in Omaha Nebraska.^[1]

He and Viola lived in Oakland, California^[2], while Elmer worked on the Southern Pacific Del Monte Train line, first as a lounge car host, and then as a dining car waiter. The route traveled from San Francisco to Monterey. He and Viola had three children: two sons and a daughter.^[3]

His eldest son served Italy during World War II as a tank gunnery specialist, earning a Bronze Star for saving the life of the company commander. ^[4] His second son was a famed Tuskegee Airman, and his daughter, Gloria, attended Berkeley University as a music major, prior to preparing for Julliard in New York City. ^[5]

In 1956, when Elmer retired, the regular travelers on the run decided to honor Elmer with his own dinner when they learned of his retirement. They had secretly passed out invitations with Elmer the honored guest at the Hotel Casa Munras. He was showered with gifts and praise and for once, perhaps the first time, he sat while others carried out the orders.^[6] In 1959, he and Viola traveled as tourists to Plymouth, England on the ship, Liberte owned by the French Line.

In 1965, Elmer was installed as president of the Retired Railroadmen's Club. ^[7]

Elmer passed away in 1972.

HIs son, Romine, Roger, was a Tuskegee Airman who was killed on take off for a mission, in Italy.

Sources

1. ↑ Monitor, 16 Dec 1916, pg. 7:The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, 2430 Lake street, was the scene of a quiet wedding Monday night, December 4, the contracting parties being Mr. Elmer Romain and Miss Viola Majors. The Rev. W.T. Osborne officiated. Dr. W.A. Scott acted as best man, and the bride's sister, Miss Beatrice Majors was maid of honor. The little Missses Emogene Majors and Juanita Thomas were flower girls. The house was beautifully and artistically decorated with chrysanthemums and ferns sent from California for the occasion. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Smith, Mr and Mrs. Robert Wilson, mr. and Mrs. Robert Weir, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cousins, Mrs. Eva Hardy and mother, Mrs. M. Reeves, Misses Sanford and Myrtle Hayden, Messrs. Bob Cross, Ed Griffin, B. Doak and roy King. An elaborate menu was served, after which the happy couple left for Oakland, Cal., where they will make their future home. Best wishes of many friends follow them to their new home.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH39-RZW : 31 January 2021), Elmer J Romine, 1920.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCXS-4Z9 : accessed 28 April 2021), Elmer Romine, Oakland, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 26, sheet 4B, line 97, family 96, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 102; FHL microfilm 2,339,837.
4. ↑ Oakland Tribune, 27 Jun 1945, pg. 18
5. ↑ California Eagle, 23 Aug 1945: Pianist Plays College Concert: Gloria Romine, pianist, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Romine on 36th street, Oakland, is in training for the Juliard school of music in New York. She is to be presented in a recital on September 6 at the Chapel of the Chimes by her teacher, Ernest Booth, prior to her leaving on September 8. Miss Romine will stay at the Interntational house while attending school.
6. ↑ Oakland Tribune, 22 Aug 1956. Train Riders Cook Up Surprise for Waiter
7. ↑ Oakland Tribune, 13 Jan 1964,

• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGCT-82F : 11 January 2021), Elmer Romine Sr, Jun 1972; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).