Nicholaus C. Romey

World War I

Nick Romey was born on May 17, 1892, near Templeton to Charles and Susanna (Langenfeld) Romey. Charles was an immigrant from Heidelberg, Germany who had come to the US as a seven-year-old. He came to Carroll County in 1867. Nick worked on the family farm prior to his induction.

Nick was first called to service on August 2, 1918, but his induction was deferred. He was again called on September 16. He was finally inducted on October 3, 1918. The family farm was south of Templeton in Audubon County. Consequently, Iowa records do not show him being inducted from Templeton.

The Audubon Republican newspaper reported that Nick and two other Audubon County soldiers left on October 3, 1918, for Jefferson Barracks, MO. Jefferson Barracks is near St. Louis, MO and remains today the oldest military installation west of the Mississippi River. During World War I, it was a training and recruitment station for soldiers heading to Europe.

Shortly after arriving at Jefferson Barracks, Nick became ill. While this was a time of severe Spanish flu outbreaks, the nature of Nick’s illness is unknown. The Carroll Times reported that Charles was called to St. Louis on October 17 due to Nick’s illness. The Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918. It is unknown when Nick recovered or when he was discharged. Most soldiers stationed in the US were discharged late in December or early in 1919.

Nick returned to the family farm and, on November 25, 1920, was married to Mathilda (Tilly) Stangl. Nick again became ill and, on October 26, 1924, died of cancer at age 32. His youngest child had been born just five months prior to his death. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.