Edward Coleman "E.C." Romfh (February 8, 1880 – January 16, 1952) was the 12th Mayor of the city of Miami. Romfh was a businessman and politician and considered one of the City of Miami's pioneers.[1]
Edward C. Romfh | |
|---|---|
| 12th Mayor of Miami | |
| In office 1925–1927 | |
| Preceded by | PA Henderson |
| Succeeded by | EG Sewell |
| City Commissioner | |
| In office 1923–1925 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Coleman Romfh February 8, 1880 Camden, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | January 16, 1952 (aged 71) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Spouse | Marie Antoinette de Camp |
| Children | 3 |
Romfh arrived in Miami in 1896 and established a grocery store. He was later a bookkeeper for the Bank of Bay Biscayne. This started his banking experience.
Later Romfh became president of First National Bank and served as the director of First Trust and Savings Bank. His wife was on the board of directors as well.[2]
He famously defied the Great Depression era bank closures that befell the entire country and kept his branch open as long as possible, endearing him to many Miamians who had their money at his bank.[3]
He was also a board member of the Miami Telephone Company, which later became part of the Southern Bell network. [4] By every account, Romfh was successful. He owned one of the few automobiles registered in Miami in 1911, a Cadillac.[5]
Notably, a petition and lawsuit were filed with the local court to keep the serving city commissioners including C.D. Leffler, J.E. Lummus, Romfh and J.I. Wilson, from being on the ballot in 1923. All the men were local bankers. They advertised and campaigned together. The courts eventually sided with the incumbents, allowing them to continue their hold on Miami government into the late 1930's.[6] He is buried at Miami's Woodlawn Park North Cemetery.
See also
editReferences
editNotes
- ^ Staff (Jan 17, 1952). "Miami Mayor EC Romfh". Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ Cohen, Isidor (1925). Historical Sketches and Sidelights of Miami, Florida. Miami: Jazzybee Verlag. ISBN 9783849649319. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ "Edward C Romfh, noted banker, dies". Tampa Times. Jan 16, 1952. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ^ Blackman, E.V. (1921). Miami and Dade county, Florida; its settlement, progress and achievement. Washington, D.C.: V. Rainbolt. p. 21.
- ^ "Automobile Registrations". Florida Memory. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ . Miami Herald. 22 April 1923 http://www.herald.com. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
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Sources
- Chapin, George M (1914). Florida, 1513-1913, past and future. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- Remembering Miami Pioneer EC Romfh
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