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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 54 Collections and/or Records:

John A. Conde collection on George W. Romney

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8719
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to George Romney's time as chairman and president of the American Motors Corporation. Includes newspapers and clippings, books, speeches and addresses, letters, photographs, and other documents related to American Motors. Materials dated 1945-1968.

Dates: approximately 1945-1968

George W. and Lenore Romney political articles, circa 1970

 File — Carton 2: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233605119], Folder: 9
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains numerous photographs of Romney's life and political career. Contains a small journal with transcripts about some of Romney's awards, a copy of the journal Listen with Romney on the cover, newspaper clippings concerning Romney, and a few booklets and newspapers on Lenore's career. Dated circa 1970.

Dates: Other: circa 1970

George W. Romney articles on community service initiatives, circa 1967-1979

 File — Carton 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605101], Folder: 5
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains a bulletin by the Heritage Foundation on Bill Clinton's National Service Program, proposal for the United Community Services, Volunteer Services Proposal, papers on the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Coalition of Greater Detroit, Michigan campaign for Volunteer ism, and remarks by Romney for the Hartford Times 150th anniversary, as well as newspaper articles on volunteerism. Dated circa 1967-1979.

Dates: Other: circa 1967-1979

George W. Romney awards and correspondence, circa 1956-1962

 File — Carton 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series series 3 [Barcode: 31197233605101], Folder: 10
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains a copy of the National Catholic Monthly from May 1959, lists of awards given to Romney from 1956-1960, newspaper articles announcing the awards, copy of the Mid-Western Banker from 1959, correspondence between Romney and others, photographs, newspaper articles, and magazine articles on Romney's political rise. Dated circa 1956-1962.

Dates: Other: circa 1956-1962

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 church and other papers, circa 1954-2007

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series series 3
Scope and Contents note

Contains the personal papers and church papers of Romney. Includes letters from friends and church leaders, handwritten notes, copy of a devotional address given at Brigham Young University (BYU), and other photographs. Dated circa 1954-2007.

Dates: Other: circa 1954-2007

George W. Romney church papers, circa 1980-2007

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

Contains a letter from Gordon B. Hinckley regarding the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a devotional speech given by George W. Romney, and an LDS Church News article. Dated circa 1980-2007.

Dates: Other: circa 1980-2007

George W. Romney collection of articles on the Equal Rights Amendment, circa 1979-1981

 File — Carton 2: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233605119], Folder: 3
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains newspaper articles on Romney and the ERA, photocopy of Church's pamphlet on the ERA, article on why Mormon women oppose the ERA, photocopies of correspondence from constituents and others on the ERA, photographs of Romney taking office, memos and other photos. Dated circa 1979-1981

Dates: Other: circa 1979-1981

George W. Romney correspondence, speeches, and newspaper clippings, circa 1964-1967

 File — Carton 2: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233605119], Folder: 7
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains photographs of Romney and his wife, transcript of a speech, newspaper clippings about Romney's governorship, a speech given at an anniversary dinner, some correspondence from George and his wife to friends and constituents, several newspaper clippings on George Romney and his wife, and a copy of Time Magazine from 1964. Dated circa 1964-1967.

Dates: Other: circa 1964-1967

George W. Romney film reel, newspaper articles, and speeches, circa 1958-1987

 File — Carton 2: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233605119], Folder: 6
Identifier: MSS 7610 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Contains a film reel, newspaper articles on Romney from 1987, program of the Religious Heritage of America, Inc. Award Winners, statement by Romney from 1958, newspaper clippings about his career, and correspondence from constituents, business people, and politicians. Dated circa 1958-1987.

Dates: Other: circa 1958-1987