Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

eginning, who dug his own cellar, so to
speak, and built his own foundations. An
interesting example of this sort of man
is Morris Gerry Rome, one of the most
successful business men of Stamford,
Connecticut.
Mr. Rome's family is an old one in
Moscow, Russia. There the name for
many generations has been a prominent
one. Mr. Rome's great-grandfather was
an eminent physician in that city, being
in such high favor with the court that for
many years he counted the Czar among
his patients. This speaks volumes for
the mental calibre of the man. He was
also a man of winning personality, as is
evinced by the fact that he stood in great
favor with the Czar, who gave him a
written permit to live in Moscow, from
which city all other Jews were rigidly ex-
cluded. Dr. Rome's skill in his profes-
sion, and his devotion to duty in its prac-
tice made his tenure of this position long
and secure.
His son, Mr. Rome's grandfather, took
little interest in the opportunities of a
professional life. He was an active, pro-
gressive man, fond of the great out-doors,
and possessed of splendid executive abil-
ity. He became a large land owner, his
holdings being mostly timber lands, and
he built up an extensive business along
these lines, owning thousands of acres of
the finest timber.
Mr. Rome's father, Harris Rome, was
born in Russia, and grew to manhood
there. According to the universal custom
there he was compelled to enter the
Russian army. To a member of the race
so bitterly and ruthlessly persecuted by
the Russian Government, this service was
utterly abhorent. At the first opportunity
the young man made his escape. After
more or less adventure he found his way
to New York City. He had been married
while in the army, and had not been long
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
393
in this country before his young wife
joined him. Very soon after his arrival
in New York he started in business, be-
ginning in a small way and dealing in
second-hand furniture. His location was
in a modest block down on the East Side.
But he put into his business all the en-
ergy of which youth, health and a fine
mental heritage are capable, and was suc-
cessful from the start. With character-
istic thrift he worked early and late, denying
himself the pleasures that many
young men consider necessities, and giv-
ing his personal attention to every detail
of the business. Constant growth and
development were the inevitable result,
and he remained there about ten years.
He then removed to Paterson, New Jer-
sey, and established himself there as a
dealer in furniture fresh from the factory.
He was very successful there and
continued in this line of business in that
city for twenty years. He then sold out
and removed to Jersey City, where he
opened another furniture store, and has
been no less successful there, still carry-
ing on the business, holding an enviable
position in the trade, and enjoying the
fruits of his success. He married Rebecca
Luckman, daughter of Louis Luckman.
They are the parents of six chil-
dren, five of whom are still living; Morris
Gerry, of whom further; Bertha, who
married Samuel Kerr, of Salem, Massachusetts;
David, of West Hoboken, New
Jersey ; Sadie Bessie, who married Joseph
Kerr, of Gloucester, Massachusetts
and George Sidney, of Washington, D. C.
Morris Gerry Rome was born March 4,
1887. He received his education in the
public schools of New York City, and the
Paterson, New Jersey, High School. Even
as a lad he showed great ambition and
was impatient to take an active part in
the world of business. While attending
high school he also took a commercial