| Notes |
- ANTHONY W. ROMWEBER. For nearly thirty years Anthony W. Romweber has been identified with the furniture industry in Batesville. First, with the American Furniture Company, one of the largest bedroom furniture manufacturers in the State and later, with the Batesville Cabinet Company, formed as an allied corporation with the American Furniture Company in 1913; the cabinet company being one of the leading dining-room furniture manufacturers in the country.
At the present time Mr. Romweber is the controlling head of these two large corporations, holding the position of treasurer of each. His career furnishes another example of the value of the homely virtues of integrity and perseverance, for he was only fifteen years of age when he entered upon his life's work; and the prestige that is now his has been gained by industry and personal effort.
Mr. Romweber was born in Cincinnati in 1871 and is the son of John and Rose (Huerman) Romweber. His grandfather, Antone Romweber, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, and came to the United States prior to the war between the States. His father, John Romweber, was born at Oldenburg, Indiana, and died in 1874, when the present Mr. Romweber was but a boy of three years of age. Anthony W. Romweber was a child when taken by his parents to Oldenburg, Indiana, where he attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he took a position as clerk in a general store. At the end of a few years he began to serve an apprenticeship to the watchmakers' and jewelers' trade, a business which he followed for about twelve years in Oldenburg, or until 1900 in which year he came to Batesville to become actively identified with the American Furniture Company.
This business was founded in 1880 by John Hillenbrand, Sr., who at the time had about twenty employees and a plant covering 8,000 square feet, specializing in the manufacture of bedroom furniture. At the present time the plants of the American Furniture Company and the Batesville Cabinet Company are merged. The two plants now cover about 800,000 square feet and employ normally about 350 skilled mechanics.
George M. Hillenbrand is president of these concerns, with Mr. Romweber's sons, John A. and Paul C., vice presidents; George H., another son, as secretary.
Previous to the latter part of 1929, Mr. Romweber, in addition to the foregoing, was prominently identified, and held prominent positions with the Batesville Casket Company, Batesville Electric Light and Power Company, Batesville Water Works Company and the Hillenbrand Company. At that time, all of the above named companies were integral parts of the Hillenbrand industries.
A division was made whereby the two utilities, namely: The Batesville Electric Light and Power Company and Batesville Water Works Company were relinquished and Mr. Romweber, at that time, took control, with his sons, of the two furniture industries; with the Casket Company coming under the active management and control of Mr. John A. Hillenbrand and members of his family.
From the start of his connection with the American Furniture Company, Mr. Romweber proved himself capable, intelligent and faithful in the performance of his duties. Promotion followed as a matter of course and he finally became secretary of the American Furniture Company to the duties of which office were later added those of general manager. The above responsibilities being his up until the latter part of 1929 when he and his family took over the controlling interests of the two furniture companies.
Mr. Romweber is accounted one of the most energetic and capable business men of Batesville and is widely known in business circles throughout this part of the State. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is keenly interested in all matters pertaining to the public welfare; he is a member of the Knights of Columbus of Batesville of which he is Past Grand Knight; a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Greensburg, Indiana, and of the Knights of St. John, Batesville, Indiana. During the World war he rendered active and valued services as a member of the Ripley County Council of Defense and in the War Loan and War Savings Stamp drives.
Mr. Romweber married Miss Rose L. Hillenbrand, daughter of John Hillenbrand, Sr., a sister of John A. and George M. Hillenbrand, and to this union there have been born five children; John A., vice-president and general manager of the American Furniture Company and Batesville Cabinet Company; Paul C., vice president and assistant sales manager of the same two furniture companies, at the present time covering the eastern territory for his firms; George H., secretary of the two companies, at the present time in charge of the credit departments; Robert J., traveling salesman, covering a portion of the Central States Territory, and A. William, who is at present preparing to enter one of the larger universities for the completion of his education.
INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 3
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931
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