President Erastus S. Romney collection

Erastus Snow Romney was born on March 13, 1886 in Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Mexico to Miles Park Romney and Annie M. Woodbury. While attending Juarez Academy, he met Roxey M. Stowell. After graduating from Juarez Academy, Erastus and Roxey were married in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 31, 1910. After their marriage they both attended Brigham Young University. Together they had four children: Elwood, Roxey, Wanda and Waldo. After graduating Romney taught school in Nevada during the winter months and attended the University of Utah during the summer months. Previous to taking over Dixie Normal College Romney attended the University of California at Berkley.

Romney moved his family to St. George, Utah, in June of 1916, and began teaching at Dixie Normal College. He served as acting President of Dixie College on June 1, 1918, and became president that year. Romney took a keen delight in his work, and tried unceasingly to instill this feeling into others connected with the institution. He was beloved by his co-workers, who admired his character, positive attitude and determination to have right prevail no matter at what cost. The students also admired, loved and respected him, so much that his passing greatly affected a large number of them.

Dixie Normal College flourished under his wise administration. Each succeeding year witnessed a larger enrollment than the preceding one until the last year witnessed the greatest enrollment in its history. Romney had great hopes for its future and worked assiduously toward this greater institution of the future.

Romney was also engaged in many various church and school organizations. He served as president of many organizations including: Parent Teachers’ Association, Dixie Carnival Co., and Soldiers Entertainment Committee. One of his greatest efforts was in his Child Welfare work including the lectures he provided to the parents.

As noted in Romney’s Annual President’s Report 1918-1919, Dixie College was closed for seven weeks during the winter of 1918 because of the influenza epidemic. During the time that school was closed, students had correspondence work that they carried on with. This together with two weeks made up on Saturdays enabled the school to hold the 34 weeks which meets state requirements.

During his presidency at Dixie Normal College, Romney died February 12, 1920 of pneumonia following influenza at the age of 33, in St. George, Utah.