Generation 4

Charles Roman 28 May 1850 - 26 Apr. 1935 RIN 161
Ellen Nelson 16 Oct. 1848 - 1 Oct. 1909 RIN 162

FGR 48

Both Charles and Ellen were born in Sweden. It is not clear, but they immigrated at the same time and may have been married when they came to the USA. No marriage license has been found. Charles' naturalization record indicates he landed in the port of New York in April 1880. Nothing is known about how they settled in South Park, now South St. Paul, MN.

The 1885 Minnesota census shows him in St. Paul, MN

The 1895 St. Paul, MN city directory lists him as a laborer living on Central Avenue.

The 1900 US census says Charles was born May 1855 in Sweden, a naturalized citizen, and a laborer in an iron foundry. Ellen was born March 1848. and indicated 4 children, 2 living. The reference to 4 children must mean 2 died in infancy. There are no other records of them.

1905 St. Paul MN city directory lists Charles as a carpenter, living in South Park, working for F&M company. This may be consistent with his being a foundryman.

The Roman houses in South St. Paul are located at 10^th Avenue North and Central Avenue. The older house is at 1019 Central and the newer at 1003 Central, next door. 1003 Central is a two story cement block with a detached garage and an out-building. It is reported that Charles made the cement blocks himself when he built the house. If he was a foundryman, it would not be out of character to think of him making cement blocks; even though this is seldom done in small quantities. (Central is only about two blocks long. It intersects Concord at right angles to the south west; about two miles north of the intersection of Concord Street North with I-494.) The identification of these houses was by C.W. Onan in a visit to the houses and cemetery in 1981.

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From Ellen's Obituary October 5, 1909

SOUTH PARK WOMAN ACCIDENTALLY DROWNS
Body of Mrs. Charles Roman is found floating in the Mississippi
Victim is thought to have fallen in river Saturday
Leaves Home with Announced Intention of Going to Minneapolis to Visit - Has Been Despondent.

"The dead body of Mrs. Charles Roman, of South Park, was found by Fred Johnson late Saturday afternoon floating in about five feet of water, inside of a sand bar in the river at South Park. Coroner Mertz decided, upon viewing the body last night, that death was due to accidental drowning.
Mrs. Roman has been known to have suffered from fits of despondency since the death last November of her youngest daughter, Eva. Friday noon she announced to her husband that she intended going to Minneapolis to visit her daughter, Mrs. David Onan, until Sunday. She was seen about two o'clock that afternoon walking towards the river and it is believed she fell into the water and was unable to save herself. It was not suspected that she had drowned until her body was found Saturday afternoon.
The body remained at the Meeker's undertaking establishment in this city until this morning when it was removed to her home. Deceased was 61 years of age. Her husband and one daughter survive her. The funeral was held from the family residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon. She was buried in Oak Hill cemetery beside the body of her daughter Eva."

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Her Death Certificate lists the cause of death as accidental drowning in the Mississippi river.

Many thoughts come to mind. Geraldine, the grand daughter, reported that the death of her grandmother was not talked about in the family. The suggestion was that it was a suicide. She also said that Charles was subject to binge drinking. So, with Emily married in 1907, she was left without children at home. The recent death of Eva; two other children before her and the old man off on a binge may have been too much for her. This is pure speculation.

Oak Hill Cemetery is located at Third Street and 17^th Avenue in South St. Paul, MN. The only grave identification is a stone marked ROMAN flush with the ground. The Roman plot is Block 1, Lot 78. It looks like there is room for three graves only. None are individually identified.

Charles lived in South St. Paul until 1920 when he came to live in Minneapolis with his daughter and son-in-law. He died while living with his daughter, Emily Roman Onan, at 1331 Penn Avenue North in Minneapolis on 26 April 1935. The birth date on his death certificate is the one I am using as being official. It was supplied by his daughter, Emily, and I presume it to be the most accurate.

My mother, Betty H. Onan said she had a good relationship with Charles, Grandpa Roman as he was called. She said the name was Romanoff and was changed to Roman when he immigrated. There are lots of Romans in Sweden and none of them claim Russian heritage.

[roman.doc]
29 August 2003
David W. Onan II