Romero, Trinidad, 1835-1918

<p>Considered one of the “most widely known and influential politicians of New Mexico in the territorial days,” Trinidad Romero, a successful merchant and entrepreneur, served a single term as a Territorial Delegate to Congress. His short time in the House, like that of many other New Mexican Delegates of the era, marked but a brief moment in a long career in various territorial offices.</p>

<p>Trinidad Romero was born June 15, 1835, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Miguel Romero and Josefa Delgado. Miguel had extensive experience in the American occupation government. He was appointed alcalde (mayor) of Santa Fe by General Stephen Kearny during the military occupation period and was a founder of the Republican Party in New Mexico. The second of 10 children, Romero was educated by private tutors and also received some formal schooling. He left Santa Fe at age 15 and moved 50 miles east to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he “engaged extensively in sheep and cattle raising … also in the general merchandising business, which through careful management, yielded him a large profit.” Romero assisted his father with freighting goods via ox teams between St. Louis, Missouri, and Las Vegas, New Mexico, in 1851. The business prospered since Las Vegas lay astride the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Santa Fe with Independence, Missouri. The family also took advantage of the burgeoning railroad industry to form a merchandise conglomerate. The senior Romero and three of his sons, including Trinidad, founded the Romero Mercantile Company in 1878, with Miguel serving as the company’s first president. Trinidad succeeded his father and later yielded the post to one of his brothers. The business prospered, enabling the family to build branch stores in other New Mexican towns. Romero married Valeria Lopez, the daughter of a Las Vegas, New Mexico, sheriff. The couple had eight children: Serapio; Bernardo; Roman; Miguel; Epimenia; Trinidad, Jr.; Valeria; and Margarita. The family’s wealth was considerable; Romero was a prominent landowner in San Miguel County, and his holdings included a 3,000-acre ranch and the sprawling El Puertocito Grant, which he owned with his brother, Eugenio, a prominent politician.</p>

<p>Romero became politically active in the 1860s as a result of his business activities. Elected to the territorial house of representatives in 1863, he served for one term. He also served as probate judge of San Miguel County in 1869 and 1870. During the 1860s, Romero emerged as one of the leaders of the Republican Party in San Miguel County, which encompassed his political base in Las Vegas, and which had experienced considerable growth. At the time, San Miguel County was in the north-central portion of the territory; later, portions of it were carved out to form Guadalupe County in the south. Canyons and highlands shaped the northwestern landscape of San Miguel, which stretched from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and was drained by the Pecos River. The 655,000-acre Pablo Montoya Grant yawned across the western part of the county, sustaining some of the largest cattle-ranching operations in the territory. By 1880 the Santa Fe Railroad had been built across the northwestern section of San Miguel.</p>

<p>Trinidad Romero (June 15, 1835 – August 28, 1918) was an American politician and rancher who was the Delegate to United States Congress from the Territory of New Mexico.</p>

<p>Trinidad Romero was born in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County (then a part of the Republic of Mexico), New Mexico, Romero was educated by private tutors. He engaged in merchandising, freighting with ox teams from Kansas City to Santa Fe, and later in stock raising. He served as member of the Territorial house of representatives in 1863. Probate judge of San Miguel County, New Mexico, in 1869 and 1870.</p>

<p>Romero was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1878. He was appointed United States marshal by President Harrison and served from November 13, 1889, to May 30, 1893. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and stock raising on his ranch near Wagon Mound, New Mexico. He died in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico, August 28, 1918. He was interred in Calvary Cemetery.</p>

ROMERO, Trinidad, a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico; born in Santa Fe, Santa Fe County (then a part of the Republic of Mexico), N.Mex., June 15, 1835; educated by private tutors; engaged in merchandising, freighting with ox teams from Kansas City to Santa Fe, and later in stock raising; member of the Territorial house of representatives in 1863; probate judge of San Miguel County, N.Mex., in 1869 and 1870; elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1879); was not a candidate for renomination in 1878; appointed United States marshal by President Harrison and served from November 13, 1889, to May 30, 1893; engaged in mercantile pursuits and stock raising on his ranch near Wagon Mound, N.Mex.; died in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, N.Mex., August 28, 1918; interment in Calvary Cemetery.