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Romney, George W., 1907-1995

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1907 - 1995

Biographical History

George W. Romney (1907-1995) was a prominent politician, businessman, and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

George Wilcken Romney was born July 8, 1907 to Gaskell Romney and Anna Amelia Pratt in Mexico. In 1913, the family moved to Idaho. In 1926, Romney served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the British Isles. George married LeNore LaFount on July 2, 1931. They had 4 children: Margo Lynn, Jane LaFount, George Scott, and Willard Mitt.

Romney was the president and chairman of the American Motors Corporation. He became Governor of Michigan in 1962. He also ran for United States president in 1968, but dropped out of the race. He served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Richard Nixon.

He died July 26, 1995 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Citation:
His Automotive council statement, 1945.

NUCMC data from Sioux City Public Museum for Huff, T.B. Papers, 1907-1968 (George Romney)

WWAm. Pol., 1985 (Romney, George Wilcken; b. Chihuahua, Mex., 1907; s. Gaskell Romney and Anna Amelia Pratt R.; m. Lenore LaFount, 1931; vpres. Mich. State Const. Conv., 61-62; gov. Mich., 63-69; bd. chman. and pres. Am. Motors Corp., 52-62; home: Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)

LC data base, 5-18-87 (hdg.: Romney, George W., 1907-)

New York Times, July 27, 1995: p. A1 (d. July 26)

Wikipedia, website viewed 8 August 2013 (George W. Romney; George Wilcken Romney; b. July 8, 1907, Colonia Dublán, Galeana, Chihuahua, Mexico; d. July 26, 1995, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Automobile executive; politician; chairman/general managers of American Motors, 1954-1962; 43rd governor of Michigan, 1963-1969; 3rd United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 1969-1973; member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattr-day Saints; family fled Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and ended up in Salt Lake City; Romney moved to Detroit in 1939 and joined the American Automobile Manufacturers Association; campaigned for Republican party nomination in 1968 presidential election; headed the National Center for Voluntary Action, 1973-1991)

New York Times, 2011 June 15 (George W.Romney; m. Lenore in 1931; President of American Motors Corporation; Governor of Michigan in 1962; b. 1907 in Mexican colony; served mission to England and Scotland; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Nixon; d. 1995 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; presidential bid in 1968; had four children)

FamilySearch, June 15, 2011 (George Wilcken Romney; b. 1907 July 8 to Gaskell Romney and Anna Amelia Pratt Romney in Chihuahua, Mexico)

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

George W. Romney chairman election papers, circa 1954

 File — Box 7: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605168], Folder: 3
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains news release concerning Romney's election to chairman of the board, and a press conference transcript. Dated circa 1954.

Dates: Other: circa 1954

George W. Romney Institute of Public Management collection on American Motors Corporation, approximately 1942-1977

 Series
Identifier: MSS 7639 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains the papers of George Romney on the American Motors Corporation, when he worked as an executive of the company. Includes speeches given and awards won by Romney, as well as inter-office memos and other correspondence addressed to or from Romney. Dated circa 1942-1977.

Dates: approximately 1942-1977

George W. Romney Institute of Public Management collection on George W. Romney

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 7639
Scope and Contents Materials in the collection include various newspaper and magazine articles, campaign buttons, and publications related to the life and career of George W. Romney. Many newspaper and magazine articles feature the Romney family and contextualize George Romney and his career within his family life. Later materials include articles reporting the naming of the Romney Institute of Public Management after George Romney. The collection also includes speeches given by George Romney and materials...
Dates: 1942-2007

George W. Romney Institute of Public Management oral history and book project, approximately 1949-2007

 Series
Identifier: MSS 7639 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains transcripts of interviews and other research materials for a book project on George Romney. Includes book excerpts in which Romney is mentioned, maps and information on research locations, and deeds of gift. All pertain to George Romney's life and career. Dated approximately 1949 to 2007.

Dates: approximately 1949-2007

George W. Romney Institute of Public Management papers on George W. Romney politics, approximately 1946-2007

 Series
Identifier: MSS 7639 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains the political papers of George Romney, including speeches and clippings from magazines and newspapers. Also includes interviews, funeral service programs, campaign materials, and correspondence. There are some photographs. These pertain to volunteerism, economics, and political issues Romney faced as Cabinet member and Governor of Michigan. A few files also pertain to the political careers and lives of Lenore Romney and Mitt Romney. Dated circa 1946-2007.

Dates: approximately 1946-2007

George W. Romney Management Man Award, 1959

 File — Box 5: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197233605143]
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains a plaque given to Romney for being named Management Man of the Year by the American Motors Corporation in 1959.

Dates: Other: 1959

George W. Romney newspaper clippings and photographs, circa 1954

 File — Carton 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605101], Folder: 6
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains photographs of Romney at a banquet, newspaper articles on Romney, programs from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Economic Club of Detroit, and numerous other newspaper articles on current events in Detroit, some specifically about Romney's politics and job. Dated circa 1954.

Dates: Other: circa 1954

George W. Romney newspapers and correspondence, circa 1946-1955

 File — Carton 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605101], Folder: 9
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains newspaper articles on Romney's American Motors career, photographs of Romney at awards ceremonies and other events, correspondence between Romney and other people at American Motors, CBS Radio, and others. Dated circa 1946-1955.

Dates: Other: circa 1946-1955

George W. Romney papers on American Motors Corporation, circa 1946-1965

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains files related to Romney's career with the American Motors Corporation. Includes newspaper clippings and magazine articles about Romney's rise, documents on Romney's election to Chairman, awards he won for excellence in business, and correspondence related to this part of his career. Dated circa 1946-1965.

Dates: circa 1946-1965

George W. Romney publicity papers, circa 1960-1961

 File — Carton 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605101], Folder: 8
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

Contains Romney publicity papers. Includes newspaper and journal articles on Romney's life, correspondence on the American Motors Corporation, photographs of Romney, George Washington newsletter on Romney. 1960 files include essentially the same things (newspaper articles, photographs, excerpts from journals and magazines) as well as a couple of articles written by Romney. Dated circa 1960-1961.

Dates: Other: circa 1960-1961