ROMEO TRACHT

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Romeo Tracht and Mrs. Romeo Tracht

Romeo Tracht, who has made his home in Tipton for the past seven years, still gives his supervision to his fine farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres on section 19, Center township. His birth occurred in Galion, Crawford county, Ohio, on the 15th of February, 1850, his parents being Adam and Ann (Beech) Tracht, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. The father, who was brought to the United States when but seven years of age, was married in Ohio and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away on a farm in Williams county, that state, when seventy-four years old. He was twice married, the demise of his first wife occurring in Williams county in 1857 at the comparatively early age of thirty-one years and ten months. By his first marriage Adam Tracht had two children, namely: Romeo, of this review; and Margaret, who died in Mills county, Iowa. By his second wife he had four children.

When five or six years of age Romeo Tracht accompanied his parents on their removal to Williams county, Ohio, and was there residing at the time he enlisted for service in the Civil war in March, 1865, becoming a member of Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Zeering. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and he remained a loyal Union soldier until the close of hostilities, being mustered out in August. Returning home, he remained in Williams county until August, 1867, and then came to Cedar county, Iowa, here working as a farm hand by the month for one year. He next farmed in the vicinity of Stanwood until a year after his marriage and then went to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he followed general agricultural pursuits for three years. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county and has here been actively engaged in the work of the fields to the present time, owning a well improved and productive farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres on section 19, Center township, four miles south of Tipton. For the past seven years, however, he has made his home in Tipton, going back and forth to his farm each day. He lives in a comfortable and attractive residence on Fourth street, having purchased the dwelling as soon as it was erected. He likewise owns a half section of land in Hamilton county, Kansas, and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative citizens of the community. His cash capital amounted to but three dollars when he arrived in this county and the prosperity which he now enjoys is entirely the result of his untiring industry and indefatigable energy.

On the 7th of March, 1872, Mr. Tracht was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Simmermaker, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 11th of July, 1854, her parents being George and Aley Elizabeth (Henderson) Simmermaker. The father, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, came to this country with an older brother, Philip, in 1833, locating in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The following spring they took up their abode on a farm near Galion, Crawford county, Ohio, there residing until 1854, when they brought their respective families to Cedar county, Iowa. George Simmermaker followed blacksmithing in early manhood but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning and operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres four miles south of Tipton until the time of his death, which occurred on the 6th of October, 1908, when he had attained the age of eight-two years. It was while living in Ohio that he wedded Miss Henderson, who passed away in 1861, when but twenty-nine years of age. They were the parents of five daughters, as follows: Mary Belle, who is now the wife of T. J. Knott, of Corning, Iowa; Ann Eliza, the wife of G. W. Barkley, of Huron, South Dakota; Mrs. Tracht; Emma, who died when six years of age; and Margaret A., the wife of Sheldon Mathews, of Villisca, Iowa. Mrs. Tracht, who was but three months old when brought to this county by her parents, resided on her father’s farm until the time of her marriage. She was the mother of the following children: George Edwin, who passed away in 1904 at the age of thirty-one years; Alvah Burton, of Tipton; Ida Ellen, who died when twenty years of age; Arthur Allen, of Tipton; Summer Waldo, who resides in Haxton, Colorado; Omer, living in Howard county, Iowa; Samuel Dewalt, who makes his home in Walla Walla, Washington; and Farrell Everett, who is still under the parental roof.

When twenty-one years of age Mr. Tracht joined the Reformed church and has since held membership therein, his wife and children being also identified therewith. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in William Beaver Post, No. 110, G. A. R. He is a gentleman of genial disposition and courteous manner and has other sterling qualities which command the friendship and regard of those with whom he is brought in contact. His entire life has been guided by the most honorable principals and his self-reliance and unfaltering industry, combined with his integrity, constitute the salient features in his prosperity.