William Francis Royce (1861 - 1905)

Born 1 Mar 1861 in Monticello, NY

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Cooper — married 14 Oct 1885 in Debruce, NY

Descendants

Died 24 Mar 1905 at age 44 in Debruce, NY

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Biography

This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import.^[1] It's a rough draft and needs to be edited.

Burial

Burial:

Place: Rock Ridge Cemetery, Monticello, Ny

Note

Note: Obituary: From Monticello paper.

Sudden Death of Wm. F. Royce.

This whole community was greatly startled on Saturday last by the report that Sheriff Royce was dead at his Hearthstone Inn at DeBruce, in the town of Rockland, to which place he had gone from this village only a few days previously, to give some personal attention to his property there in view of the coming season's business.

Mr. Royce had not been feeling entirely well for some time, being troubled by the lingering twinges of a grip cold. Thursday morning he drank by mistake from a bottle of wood alcohol, what he supposed to be a preparation for a cold. He became aware at once of his mistake, medical aid was summoned and he was thought to be out of danger, but on Friday he grew worse and in the afternoon notwithstanding all, he breathed his last.

Deceased was born in Monticello in 1861, his parents being Seth H. and Caroline S. Royce. he grew to man's estate here; and won the good will of all by his courteous and gentlemanly ways.

In 1885 he was united in matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Cooper of Rockland. He is survived by his wife and three children--two boys and a girl; also by his mother who resides in this village.

Deceased was a pronounced Republican, fully abreast with the times on all live questions. He had represented the town of Rockland in the County Committee for several years. A year ago last fall, when the political skies looked murky and many thought a crash to the Republican ticket inevitable, he was nominated for Sheriff, making a canvas against a strong man on the Democratic ticket, and was elected by a substantial majority.

Funeral services from the Presbyterian church, this village, Tuesday, Interment at the village cemetary.

Mr. Royce went to DeBruce as clerk in the store of Stoddard Hammond and Sons and remained there for several years, finally buying the store. Eventually he became owner of the popular Hearthstone Inn. At that early date DeBruce was quite a resort for anglers, but not much of a village; but since many buildings have been erected. ____ business has been attracted thither and til now it has gained a solid foot-hold on the map of Sullivan Co. Stoddard Hammond, now several years deceased was the pioneer of the business development in that region, and it was his sturdy perseverance, indomitable will and sterling manhood that laid a solid foundation for healthy development there.

At the present date the whole region is a popular resort, and fills up early when trout are supposed to be searching for the early worm, or on the lookout for the tempting fly.

In an genealogy side note written by Van Hornbeck: William F. Royce, as a young man was employed as a clerk in the store in Bethel Village (still standing on this Feb. 23, 1951 and owned and operated now by Alfed A. Gillespie,) at the time operated by his uncle Charles Roosa. He later went to DeBruce as clerk in the store of Hammond & Fish, the tanners. Travelled as salesman for the Binghampton, N.Y. wholesale grocers, McKinney, Everts and Co. Married Elizabeth Cooper and lived in Sidney, NY where their first child, Marion was born. Returned to DeBruce. Purchased the Hammond store and house which as The Hearthstone Inn was conducted as a summer boarding house until it burned. The store burned in the spring of 1902 while operated by Romain Terwilliger. Mr. Royce was elected Sheriff of Sullivan County in the fall of 1902 and died in office at DeBruce, NY. There were two brothers: Stephen, who went west and was unheard from and James B. born 1863 and died 1885.

Sources

1. ↑ Royce-303 was created by Laura Bailey through the import of Lauras ancestors 2.25.14.ged on Feb 25, 2014. This comment and citation can be deleted after the biography has been edited and primary sources are included.