Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ROMICH, WILLIAM H.

p. 1417

Surnames: ROMICH, ROMIG, BERG, CASE, DAVIDHEISER, FISHER, FRITZ,
GIFT, HELFRICK, HOFFMAN, KEELEY LEVAN, LEVENGOOD, MOYER, NESTER,
REIFSNYDER, ROHRBACH, ROMIG, ROMICH, SEITEL/SPEITEL, WAID, WEISNER,
WISE

The gentleman who bears the name with which this sketch is
introduced is possibly the best known man in Berks County, his
business as professional auctioneer having carried him throughout
its entire bounds. He is a successful auctioneer and farmer. The
family to which he belongs was an early one in the county, some of
its representatives spelling the name as above, others changing the
“ch” to “g”, making it Romig.

John Romich, the ancestor of this branch of the
family, came to Berks County in the latter part of the 18th century
from Conestoga Township, Lancaster County. He settled in Earl
Township, where he was the owner of much land and a man of
influence in his community until his demise in 1804. Part of the
estate reached over into Douglass Township, but the portion on
which he lived and died was situated in Earl Township, near Worman.
The will distributing his estate is on record in Will Book IV, page
244, his son John, and his friend Jacob Keely, Sr., being the
executors. His wife’s first name was Anna Maria, and they had
children: John, who obtained a farm of 180 acres, partly in Earl
and partly in Douglass Townships; George; Christian; Jacob, and
Henry.

John (2), eldest of the family was the next in
descent. He passed his entire life in Earl Township, and was a man
of large influence and property. He died in 1835, bequesting a farm
of 160 acres, located in Ohio, to his son Andrew. He and his wife,
Mary, had other children besides Andrew and Jacob, the latter being
the grandfather of William H., but said children do not appear in
the will. Jacob Romich and Jacob Weisner signed the will as
witnesses.

George Romig, second son of the ancestor, was
born Jan. 9, 1765, and died April 2, 1850, his age being eighty
five years, two months and twenty-three days. He married Sophia
Fritz (1773-1828), and to her were born seven sons and four
daughters.

Christian Romig, third son of John, the
ancestor, was born Jan. 13, 1766, and living seventy-eight years,
one month and twenty-two days, died on the 5th of March, 1844.
Catharine Seitel, his wife, was born in 1767, and died in 1844,
after a married life of fifty-six years. There were four sons and
one daughter. He and his wife, together with George and his wife,
are buried in the Fritz burial ground, Douglass Township.

Jacob Romich, fourth son of the ancestor, and
grandfather of William H., was a farmer in Conestoga Township,
Lancaster County, for a few years, thence coming to Worman, in
Douglass Township. He cultivated a farm of 128 acres at that place
for nearly a half-century, and this property is at present owned by
William H.

The house which is now used by our subject was
partly built by Jacob Romich, who was born there Jan. 10, 1793, and
died Feb. 3, 1879, aged eighty-six years and twenty-three days. He
married his cousin, Elizabeth Romich who was a daughter of John
Romich of Montgomery County, the latter coming to Amity Township
later in life. The wife was born Feb. 27, 1800, and lived to be
seventy-eight years, eleven months and four days old, her death
occurring Feb. 1, 1879. Jacob and his wife lie at rest in Boyertown
Cemetery. Their children were as follows: John; George; Sophia, who
married John Davidheiser; Ephraim (1826-1901); Zephaniah; Henry;
Jacob; Harriet Fisher; Mary M., who married, first Jeremiah
Reifsnyder, and second, John Berg.

George Romich, of the above family was born near
Worman in Douglass Township in 1827, and died in 1900, aged
seventy-three years. His occupation was that of shoemaker. His home
was above Gabelsville, where he owned a small tract of land, now in
the possession of his son, Llewellyn Romich. In religious matters
he was a member of the Lutheran Church. He was twice married, his
first wife being Sarah Rohrbach. Their children were: Elizabeth,
who died at the age of three years, and Jacob R., born in Earl,
near the “Yellow House”, June 16, 1856. The children by the second
wife were: Calvin, Llewellyn, Katie and Frank.

When twenty-one, Jacob R., learned the
shoemaking trade, which he has since followed. In 1888 he engaged
in the shoe business in Boyertown at what is called the old J. S.
Case shoe-store “. In 1878 he was married to Miss Sophia Nester,
and they had one child, George A., born March 10. 1879, who is now
organist of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and teaches music to a
number of pupils in Boyertown. His wife perished in the Boyertown
Fire, January 13, 1908, when only thirty one years of age.**

John R. Romich, father of William H., was the
son of Jacob and Elizabeth Romich, and brother to George, mentioned
above. He was born on the old homestead in Douglass Township Jan.
11, 1823, and died Dec. 28, 1885, aged sixty-two years, eleven
months and seventeen days. Boyertown Cemetery holds his remains.
During his lifetime he cultivated the homestead where he lived and
died. He was a man of fine instincts and strong characteristics,
and wielded an exemplary influence during life. He was a member of
the Lutheran Church at Boyertown, which he served for many years as
Deacon.

Catharine, daughter of Abraham Hoffman, became
his wife. She was born Apr. 12, 1831, and died July 2, 1901, having
lived seventy years, two months and twenty days. Their children
were: Jonathan, William, Emma, John, Ellen, George, Annie, who
married William Levan; Katie, deceased; Ida, who married Joseph
Helfrick.

William H. Romich, son of the above, was born
Aug. 7, 1853, on the old home- stead, near Worman, where he now
resides. He began farming for himself in the Centennial Year, in
Colebrookdale Township, where he lived but one year, when he moved
to Upper Hanover Township [Montgomery County]. Here he remained
another year, when, in the spring of 1879, he returned to the old
homestead in Douglass Township, where he has since resided.

The old homestead of 128 acres, with its
associated memories of father, grand- father and great-grandfather,
came into the possession of the present owner after his father’s
death. The present dwelling was built by the grandfather, Jacob
Romich, the older part having been erected by Jacob Romich’s
father. The barn is also a very old building, and has been standing
more than a century. The farm originally comprised 500 acres, when
it was homesteaded by the first Romich, and included what is now
the “Israel Weisner” farm, the “Henry Romich” tracts, and other
property.

William H. Romich was married June 26, 1875, to
Amanda Wise daughter of William and Rebecca (Levengood) Wise. They
had children: Albert (deceased); Rebecca, married Samuel Moyer;
Warren; Sallie, who married Oscar Gift; Dora, now the wife of Irwin
Waid; Irwin; Wayne, who perished in the Boyertown Fire; Walter;
Mabel; and Harry.

Mr. Romich and family are members of St. John’s
Lutheran Church of Boyertown, of which he has been a deacon and
elder.

Contributor’s Notes: *Catharine Seitel was also
known as Speitel. **See also biography of Jacob R. Romich from the
Boyertown Democrat, Oct. 13, 1938, Berks County Archives.

ROMIG, GEORGE OLIVER

p.
1010

Surnames: ROMIG, XANDER, KECK, REAVELY, SMITH, FEGLEY, BARTON,
FRAUENFELDER, HAINES, SCHLEGEL, STETTLER, GRIESIMER, SCHWARTZ,
WARMKESSEL

George O. Romig, proprietor of the “Hotel Albion,” at Mertztown, is
one of the enterprising business men of this place. He was born
Sept. 24, 1857, at Emaus, Pa., a son of John Owen and Sarah Ann
(Xander) Romig.

John Frederick Romig, grandfather of George O.,
was of German descent, but he was born at Nazareth, Lehigh Co.,
Pa., Feb. 2, 1782. For a time he owned and conducted a fine farm
there, which he later sold and removed to Emaus, in the western
part of the same county, where he engaged in a tinsmith business
until he was sixty-five years old, when he retired. He died twenty
years later, Feb. 20, 1867. He was a member of the Moravian Church,
and he was interred in the Moravian cemetery. His four children
were: Thomas, Paul, John Owen and Cecelia (m. William Keck, and
both are deceased, but are survived by an adopted daughter, a child
of Mrs. Keck’s brother Thomas; she married Edward Reavely, of
Philadelphia).

John Owen Romig was born in Lehigh county on the
old homestead before his parents moved to Emaus, April 17, 1825. He
was reared in the faith of the Moravian Church, and he learned the
tinsmith’s trade with his father. Later he became a butcher and
carried on a large meat business for some years, supplying the
market at Allentown. Later he moved to Mertztown, where he again
embarked in a tinware and stove business, which he continued for
ten years, and in 1873 he went into the baking business, in
partnership with his son Edgar. He died Sept. 9, 1890, and is
interred in the Moravian cemetery at Emaus. He married Sarah Ann
Xander, born April 20, 1826, daughter of George and Catherine
(Smith) Xander, and they had the following children: one died in
infancy; Edgar F., born Nov. 15, 1854, m. Eliza Fegley, daughter of
John Fegley, and had children Ida, Harvey, Emma, Richard and John;
George Oliver; and Agnes, born Sept. 12, 1867, m. James Barton, son
of William Barton, and has children: Lillie (m. Curtis
Frauenfelder) and Leroy.

George Oliver Romig was reared and educated at
Emaus, and when of proper age he was catechised and confirmed in
the Lutheran Church, at Mertztown – the faith of his mother. Like
his father and grandfather, he learned the tinsmith’s trade and
followed it until 1873, when he entered into the baking business
with his father and brother Edgar, and continued until 1879, when
he became bartender for a Mr. Bortz, and remained with him for
eight years. Mr. Romig then learned the barber’s trade, and at the
same time opened up a soft drink place and carried it on for two
years in connection with barbering. He is a good business man, and
at this time saw an opportunity to invest to his satisfaction and
bought the property southeast from the Mertztown depot. Here he
made many improvements, and the “Hotel Albion,” as his place is now
known, is equipped and conducted along the most modern lines.

In the year 1878 Mr. Romig was married to Sallie
C. Haines, daughter of Joseph and Susanna (Schlegel) Haines. Mrs.
Romig was born in Upper Macungie, Lehigh Co., Pa. Nine children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Romig, as follows: Carrie Elizabeth,
born June 13, 1879, m. John S. Stettler, son of Israel Stettler,
and they have three children, Virtie (born March 2, 1901), Erma
(March 12, 1904), and Myron (April 20, 1907); William Charles, born
April 11, 1881, m. Maud Griesimer, and had one son, Raymond G.
(born Oct. 21, 1905, died aged eight months); Ethel Sylvan, born
March 18, 1883, died aged six years; Frederick George, born Feb. 20
1887, m. Katie Schwartz, daughter of Jonathan and Elvina
(Warmkessel) Schwartz, and they have one daughter, Verna; Warren
Owen, born Dec. 11, 1888, is a silk weaver by trade; and four died
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Romig both attend the Congregational
Church at Mertztown, although he was reared in the Lutheran and she
in the Reformed faith. He belongs to a number of fraternal
organizations and in politics is a Republican.

ROMIG,
GEORGE W.

p. 1182 Surnames:
ROMIG, SCHOFER, SPEIDEL, FRITZ, LINDERMAN, HILL, KERNS, GILBERT,
QUINTER, SHURR, ALTHOUSE, SEIDEL, HART, WITMAN, KERN

George W. Romig, the popular proprietor of the “Continental Hotel,”
who has been prominent in public matters as select councilman from
the Ninth ward of Reading, was born in Bern township, Berks Co.,
Pa., in 1863, son of Obediah and Caroline (Schofer) Romig, and
grandson of Joseph Romig.

Christian Romig, great-grandfather of George W.,
was a native of Montgomery county, Pa., where he followed
agricultural pursuits throughout a long and active life. For about
five years he was the manager of the Pine forge, above Pottstown,
after that returning to farming. He died in Montgomery county, at
the age of seventy six years. He married Margaret Speidel, a native
of Germany, who came to America when a child, landing at New York,
and she attained the same age. They were interred in Exeter
township, dying but two days apart. They had three children,
namely: Joseph, John and Evans.

Joseph Romig was born in Montgomery county, and
when a young man learned the blacksmith’s trade with Jacob Fritz,
following that occupation for a short time, and then buying a farm,
in 1822, in Exeter township, a 135-acre tract near the Black Bear.
There he remained until his death, a consistent member of the
Lutheran Church, and a man highly respected and esteemed by all. He
was a Democrat in political sentiment. Joseph Romig married Mary
Linderman, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Fritz) Linderman, and
she died in Exeter township, at the advanced age of ninety-two
years, five months. They had children as follows: Rachel m.
Benjamin Hill, and died in 1901; Leah m. Isaac Kerns, and resides
in Buffalo, N. Y.; Rebecca died when four years old; Obediah was
the father of George W. and Joseph; Beckie and Sallie, twins, died
when six months old; Mary m. Henry Gilbert, and lives in Exeter
township; Joseph, Jr., lives in West Reading; Sarah m. (first )
William Quinter, and (second) Peter Shurr, and lives near the Black
Bear; Israel died in 1905.

Obediah Romig was born in Exeter township, Jan.
22, 1823, attended the public schools of Exeter township and
remained at home with his father until twenty-nine years of age,
when he engaged as fireman on the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad, and continued in the service five years; he spent the
next five years carrying on operations on his father’s farm. He
then removed to Bern township, Berks county, where he conducted two
farms, comprising 250 acres, for Adam Althouse, remaining in that
vicinity for two years. Then he went to Cumru township, remaining
there one year, in 1867 returning to Exeter. He occupied the Deturk
farm one year, then purchased the farm of his father Joseph, and
there lived seven years. He then located in Reading, taking charge
of the old “Rambo House,” on Penn street. After two years at this
place he removed his family to his Tenth street home, where he
lived retired for one year. On Jan. 22, 1873, Mr. Romig took charge
of the hotel now conducted by his son, George W., and this he
conducted very successfully until April 1, 1889, when the transfer
was made. From that date Mr. Romig lived retired until his death.

In 1849 Mr. Romig was married to Caroline
Schofer, who was born in Germany, daughter of George Schofer, and
came to America in childhood. She died in 1898, and Mr. Romig later
made his home with his son George W. To Mr. and Mrs. Romig were
born children as follows: Sarah Amanda is unmarried; Franklin died
when he was four years old; Joseph engaged in the livery business
at the “Continental Hotel,” and married Ella Amanda Seidel; George
W.; Harry, who married Emma Hart, is clerking for his brother
George W. The father was a lifelong Democrat, and served in the
council of Reading from the Ninth ward in 1885. In religious belief
he was a Lutheran.

George W. Romig received his preliminary
education in the common schools of his native place, and later
attended school at Reading. His first business occupation was as
clerk in a grocery store, a position he held for six yeas, and he
was then employed by his father in the hotel business, at his
present place. He continued in his father’s employ for five years,
until April 1, 1889, when he purchased the business from him, and
has since conducted it. The hotel, which contains fifty-nine
sleeping rooms and numerous private parlors, is located at Nos.
339-355 North Ninth street, and is one of the most popular hotels
in the city.

Mr. Romig was elected a councilman of the city
in 1891, on the Democratic ticket, and such is his popularity that
he has been re-elected three times since. He has served as
president of the council, being the youngest man who has ever
served in that capacity, and has been a delegate to numerous
conventions in the county. The family are Lutherans. Mr. Romig is
connected with Reading Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M.; Excelsior
Chapter, No. 237; Reading Commandery No. 42; the Consistory; and
Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of Reading
Aerie, No. 66 (F. O. E.); Mt. Penn Castle, No. 51, K. G. E.; Mt.
Penn Commandery, K. G. E.; Camp No. 89, P. O. S. of A.; Lexington
Commandery, P. O. S. of A.; Veterans, P. O. S. of A.; Bavarians;
Maennerchor; Neversink Fishing Club; Ivy Leaf Association; and 89
Social Union.

On Feb. 13, 1889, Mr. Romig married Caroline
Witman, daughter of John and Mary (Kern) Witman, and they have had
two children, Florence and George W., Jr.

ROMIG,
JOSEPH

p. 1183

Surnames: ROMIG, SEIDEL, HARTMAN, MAST

Joseph Romig, son of Obediah, was born in Exeter township, Berks
county, Sept. 26, 1854, and attended the public schools in Bern and
in Cumru townships. He lived on the farm until seventeen years of
age, when he came to Reading with his father. His first work was at
repairing for the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, and he
subsequently learned the butchering business, which he followed for
two years. He then engaged in the horse and cattle business, buying
and selling, having his stand at Ninth and Buttonwood streets,
continuing in this line for twelve years. His next venture was the
livery business and this he has carried on to the present, his
establishment being the livery of the “Continental Hotel,” which
hotel is conducted by his brother. He owns from five to ten horses,
and also carries on a boarding stable, having one of the most
up-to-date establishments in the city, and enjoying a fine
patronage in both branches of the business.

Mr. Romig married Ella Amanda Seidel, daughter
of Benjamin and Rebecca (Hartman) Seidel, and eight children have
been born to them, namely: Warren, a clerk in the Philadelphia
& Reading shops, married Bessie Mast, and had a daughter
Loraine: Carrie, Bessie, Nora, George W., Gertrude, Harry and Paul
reside at home. The family live at No. 543 North Eighth street,
Reading. Mr. Romig is a Democrat and in religion is a member of the
Lutheran Church. In fraternal connection he is a member of the
Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is well known in the city and
highly respected.

ROMIG,
SAMUEL H.

p. 1503

Surnames: ROMIG, ROMICH, FRITZ, SCHAFFER, MAUGER, HOLLOWAY, GROSS,
ESHELMAN, KECK, BOYER, RHOADS

SAMUEL H. ROMIG, a representative of the old Berks county family
of that name, is a retired farmer and contractor. He now lives with
his son, William E. at No. 1344 Good street, Reading.

The Romigs, spelled “Romich” by other branches
of the family, trace their history back to one John Romig, who
settled near Worman, Douglass township, where he resided until his
death in 1804. He left five sons: John, George, Christian, Jacob
and Henry, all of whom reared families.

George Romig, grandfather of Samuel H., was a
farmer and lived in the vicinity of Amityville. He was born Jan. 9,
1765, and passed away April 2, 1850. He married Sophia Fritz, born
Nov. 17, 1773, died March 24, 1828. They had seven sons and four
daughters, among whom were: Samuel, who lived in Amity township;
George, who lived in the Swamp; Jacob; William, mentioned later;
Betzy, m. to Jacob Romich; Mary, m. to John Schaffer; and Sarah, m.
to Thomas Mauger. The will, dated May 28, 1842, and probated May
24, 1850, gave the homestead of seventy acres to William, where he
resided during life; George also obtained a farm; and Jacob Romich,
a son-in-law, was given a tract of land in Earl township. The
executors of the will were George Romig and Jacob Romich.

William Romig, son of George, was born March 26,
1806, and passed his life as a resident of Amityville, where he
owned and cultivated a tract of land. He died Feb. 11, 1885, and
was buried in Amityville cemetery. His wife was Lydia Holloway,
born Sept. 13, 1811, daughter of Jacob; she died March 7, 1893.
Their children were: Sarah, now deceased, m. to Wellington Gross,
of Amityville; and Samuel H., our subject.

Samuel H. Romig was born in Amity township April
20, 1841, and in this township continued residence until the spring
of 1909. He secured a common school education, and learning the
carpenter’s trade, pursued that as a business vocation, together
with operating his home farm. For many years he was in partnership
with Jacob Holloway, and some of the largest and most substantial
of the buildings in and about Amityville are monuments to their
industry. Mr. Romig, although retired from business life, continues
his interest in social and religious affairs. A lifelong member of
the Amityville Lutheran church, he has been in the church council
since 1876. For many years he served in the offices of deacon,
elder, treasurer etc. and was always officially connected with the
Sunday-school as teacher, treasurer, etc. Having children of his
own, he was earnest in improving the educational facilities of his
home township, and was the means, in connection with others, of
securing teachers and equipment which made Amity township schools
second to none in the county.

When the war cloud rolled up from the South in
1861, Mr. Romig became actively interested, enlisting in Company A.
128th Pa. V. I., and serving in this regiment during 1862-63, some
nine months, being in many engagements, the most severe of which
was Antietam. In politics Mr. Romig votes the Republican ticket.

Mr. Romig was married to Sarah Eshelman, born
Sept. 20, 1843, daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Rhoads) Eshelman,
the former for many years a well known miller of Amity township. To
this union have been born two children: Maggie Jane, who died Oct.
1, 1878, at the age of twelve years, two months and one day; and
William E.

William E. Romig was born July 10, 1870, in
Amity township, and was reared with all the advantages found in a
cultured home. His education was carefully looked to, and by the
time he was seventeen, he had become so proficient as to convince
Prof. D. S. Keck, county superintendent of schools, that he was
entitled to a license to teach. After two successful terms of
teaching, in what is called the “March” school, in his native
township, he entered the railroad office at Douglassville. After
proving himself thoroughly competent to take charge of a station,
he entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
Company, and for seventeen years was at different points on that
system in New Jersey, principally at Cape May. In 1893 he returned
to Berks county, and was stationed at Temple, until 1909, when he
secured a position as stenographer for the Parish Manufacturing
Company, of Reading, where he is still employed.

Mr. Romig married, July 12, 1890, Sarah Ellen
Boyer, daughter of John H. and Elizabeth Boyer (see sketch
elsewhere). An only daughter, Lena B., brightens their home. In a
social way Mr. Romig affiliates with the Odd Fellows, Mayflower
Lodge No. 258, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, both at Cape
May. He and his family are members of the Amity Lutheran Church,
and, like his father, he votes the Republican ticket.

ROSENTHAL, WILHELM

p. 1177

Surnames: ROSENTHAL, PHOEBUS, THOMAS, KESSLER

Wilhelm Rosenthal, for more than half a century engaged in the
publishing business, was born Nov. 20, 1823, at Nordhausen,
Prussia, in the Harz mountains. His education was acquired in the
gymnasium of his native town, where he completed the course in
1840. He was then for nearly five years employed in the publishing
house of Dr. Philip Phoebus, after which for a short time he
carried on a similar business for himself. In December, 1846, he
crossed the Atlantic on the sailing vessel “Biene,” landing at New
York in May, 1847. For several months he was engaged in that city
in Ludwig’s printing office, and then in September of that same
year went to Philadelphia, where he carried on a book store. While
there in 1848 the Revolution developed in Germany, and Mr.
Rosenthal, with other German citizens, organized the “German
Workingmen’s Association,” to awaken proper sympathy for the
movement, and win greater freedom for the working people. He was
elected the first president of the association, and was re-elected
annually for five years. During this time the membership greatly
increased, and the association built a large three-story structure,
sand-stone front, on Third street, Mr. Rosenthal superintending the
building – still known as Mechanics Hall.

In May, 1848, Mr. Rosenthal was employed by Mr.
F. W. Thomas to edit a new daily paper at Philadelphia, known as
the Free Press, and this position he held until 1855. He then
established a German weekly, the Wochenblatt, and continued its
publication for three years. He then sold it to Messrs. Hoffman
& Morwitz who merged it into their paper, the New World,
employing Mr. Rosenthal as the editor. Here he remained until July,
1860, acting also as assistant editor of the Philadelphia Democrat.
He then came to Reading to edit the Readinger Adler for Mr. Charles
Kessler.

Mr. Rosenthal was an ardent Democrat, as were
all the owners of the Adler, so he launched boldly into the arena
of the exciting politics of the time, urging the election of
Breckenridge with all the eloquence and logic he could command. In
the Civil war that followed, Mr. Rosenthal advocated the
preservation of the Union while he denounced many of the extreme
measures that had brought it about. The Adler was sold in 1864. In
that year Mr. Rosenthal was a delegate to the National Democratic
Convention, held in Chicago, that nominated Gen. George B.
McClellan for the Presidency.

So long had he been in the printing and
publishing business that he could not long remain away from it, and
he established a German weekly, the Banner von Berks, which he
published with constantly increasing success and favor. In 1867 he
began the publication of a Sunday edition of this paper, which he
named Die Biene (the Bee) after the sailing vessel that he brought
him to American soil. In 1868 appeared the Reading Daily Post, a
German daily, and this met with his usual success. Mr. Rosenthal
was indefatigable in his work, and found great enjoyment in it,
retiring only when well past four score years of age. He has been
very prominent in the German Order of Harugari, and in 1869 founded
a German paper, Die Deutsche Eiche, which has become the official
organ of that society throughout the United States.

Mr. Rosenthal has been connected with several
building and savings societies, and has assisted in building up and
developing the city. In 1884 he erected a row of good cottages on
Mineral Spring avenue. In the musical and literary societies of the
city he has been an active and interested member, and in every way
has proved himself a public-spirited citizen of his adopted land.