Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

James W. and Mary F. (Gandy) Royse , Copper Kettle


"James W. Royse's brother Martin died in 1860"

"James F. Royse (1842) lived in Washington County, Indiana. On 27 July 1861 he enlisted in the 23rd Indiana Regiment, and served until 23 July 1865, first as private and then as corporal. In March 1865 he was sent to Fort Schuyler Hospital in New York for care of his eyes. The 23rd Indiana Regiment, organized at New Albany, saw action at Fort Henry, Shiloh, and Vicksburg; it then served with Sherman, pursuing Hood and marching to Savannah.
In early 1866 James Royse was teaching school in Fredericksburg, Indiana, and still having trouble with his eyes. He is listed as owning eighty acres in Brown Township, Washington County, in 1878.
Royse's correspondent, Mary F. Gandy, lived in New Albany. She may have been the recipient of a letter to "Cousin Mary" in 1918. "

1903 Louisville, Kentucky "The Rev. J. W. Royse. a former resident of New Albany, died suddenly at his home in Lincoln, Neb., and his funeral took place yesterday. The Rev. Mr. Royse was born at Fredericksburg, Ind., and at the opening of the Civil War, enlisted in Company C, Indiana Infantry, serving until the close. Shortly after he was married to Miss Mary F. Gandy, who, with their four children, two sons and two daughters, survive him. Twenty-one years ago the Rev. Mr. Royse moved from Indiana to Nebraska of his denomination."

MARY'S FAMILY

Mary Gandy is in New Albany, Indiana in 1850, age 6, with Terresa 38, Sarah 13, Harrison 9.
In 1860 New Albany, Mary F. is 16, Harrison T. 19, and Sarah 23, with Terrest 50 now married to David W. Stucker 58.

David is a Methodist minister in 1870 New Albany, 67, with Theresa 60.
They're both in New Albany in 1880, too.

Theresa (West)(Gandy) Stucker died in 1894, buried in New Albany, # 101954117.

Harrison Tyler Gandy 1840-1926 is buried in New Albany # 111139692. "resided Indianapolis, IN; buried 16 May 1926; married to Mary A. Thompson; son of Jonathan & Theresa West Gandy."

JAMES AND MARY

James Royse and Mary Gandy married in Floyd County, Indiana on Sept 27, 1866.

In 1880 Nashville, Tennessee, Jessie is 5, with J. W. 36 and Mary F. 35. James E. is 12, Alvah O. 10, Rozella 8, and Lillie seven months.

James proved up a quarter in 15, 3S 42W in 1894, and A. O. Royse proved up 80 acres in section 3 in 1900.

May 5, 1899 Wray, Colorado "Rev. J. W. Royse of Dorchester, Nebr., arrived Wednesday to make a short visit with his children, A. O. Royse and Rozelle Kennedy."

May 20, 1899 Wray Colorado "Rev. J. W. Royse visited his son's grave at Burlington this week."

In 1900 Saunders County, Nebraska, Jesse is a teacher, 25, with James W. and Mary F. both 56. Harry is 17, niece Lyrra Kennedy is 9. She was born in Sterling Nebraska to William Kennedy and Rozella Royce.

"No event has so startled and saddened this community for a long while as the news last Thursday evening that Rev. J. W. Royse, the former Methodist pastor, was not expected to live, followed Friday morning by the announcement of his death. Many of our citizens had been in attendance whole, or a part of the time, at the Epworth Assembly and had seen Mr. Royse there in his usual health and joviality and they could hardly believe that he had been stricken. Rev. Royse left his home at Raymond with his wife on Tuesday, August 1, and took to tent life at the Epworth assembly. He was in his usual health, and was one of the ushers in the Assembly auditorium. The first indication of any illness was on Tuesday, when he was troubled with an earache. He had been battling at the sanatorium in Lincoln on Monday afternoon and thought perhaps he had taken a little cold. Tuesday evening Mr. Royse went to a physician with his earache, and the physician thought it only a slight ailment and gave him treatment for it. On Wednesday the ear trouble was accompanied by a very severe headache and Wednesday afternoon the physician was summoned to his tent.
Thursday morning the pain in his head was so severe that the physician was summoned again. The doctor punctured the ear drum this time and found a gathering there with considerable inflamation. This was the first intimation of anything serious.
Thursday morning Mr. Royse felt slightly better again, but just before noon he became delerious and the physician at once ordered him taken to the hospital. He was conveyed as speedily as possible to the St. Elizabeth hospital in Lincoln and later the physicians pronounced disease meningitis. Dr. Stuart, of Cedar Bluffs, was summoned by telegram and when he arrived at Lincoln a consultation of physicians was held and the decision was that Mr. Royse had only a few hours to live. He expired a few minutes after midnight on Thursday, August 10. The remains arrived in Cedar Bluffs Saturday morning and were taken to the M . M . parsonage where they lay in state till the funeral a I , 2 oclock . The funeral services weio held at H \ e Methodist chinch , Rev . . 1 , F . Kem- ! s 3 per , the presiding elder, of University Place, preaching the Sermon, assisted in the service by the Rev. J. M. Darby, pastor of the M. E. church at Wahoo, and by Pastor Geo. C. Cobb of Cedar Bluffs. The burial was at Maple drove cemetery, the Masonic lodge conducting the services at the grave. Rev. Mr. Royse left four children and an aged mother, beside his wife, to mourn iils loss. Three of the children were present at the funeral, the fourth being too ill to attend.
Rev. J. W. Royse was perhaps the best beloved clergyman whoever lived in Cedar Bluffs. He and his family were among us for it a full five years. He inaugurated the movement for the new Methodist church building, which was under roof when he was moved last fall. He assisted in the dedication services, and his was the funeral held within its walls. He was of a very lovable disposition and had a kind word and a kinder smile for every body. He was beloved alike by the members of all the churches here, and by those who were of no church. This was shown in a small degree by the numerous and beautiful floral offerings, procured at very short notice, for his funeral."
Cedar Bluffs, Nebr., Standard"



James Woodford Royse 1843-1905 is buried in Saunders County # 16801401.

In 1910 Mary F. Royse, 67, is living with daughter Lillie R. Moffitt 29 in Greeley, Colorado, with Harold B. Moffitt 8 and Kennethr R. Moffitt 7.



July 1911 Wray "Mrs. M. F. Royse, mother of Mrs. W. J. Kennedy, has leased her farm near Armel, lately vacated by W. J. Kennedy and family, to Ellis Vandyke. Mrs. Royse expects to go east in a short time. "

Mary French Gandy, born January 28, 1844 at Louisville, Kentucky, died January 25, 1923 in Los Angeles, California.

She's buried in Glendale, California # 47547162.

HARRY

Harry Royse, 24, born in Indiana, married Florence Bartlett on July 10, 1907 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

1919



1919 "A second romance, in the life of Harry R. Royce, confessed minister-burglar, has been uncovered, thru an intercepted letter to Mrs. Irene Invals, young divorcee of San Francisco. Royce, before turning burglar, occupied pulpits in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Kansas. Royce's wife secured an uncontested divorce on grounds of desertion. As details of the unhappy romance were pieced together, a second was revealed when Royce was found to have sent expensive gifts of feminine finery to Mrs. Imvals. These she has been obliged to turn over to the police, "I still love him and just won't believe it," she exclaimed when informed of the arrest in Los Angeles. Their friendship had its inception in the holy cloisters of a San Francisco church, where they met at service a year ago. A suave and cultured college graduate and ordained minister, Royce paid court to Mrs. Invals, who is now awaiting her final divorce papers and has custody of a two year old girl by that marriage. Eight weeks ago Royce left San Francisco for southern California. Then followed a flood of gifts of women's wearing apparel which he explained were left by his sister, who died three years ago. The jailed minister, in the letter to Mrs. Invals, said he was virtually forced into the life of crime by poverty and sickness. With him in prison is his nephew, Kenneth Moffitt, who is alleged to have been an accomplice. Royce's letter of confession and love follows: All, of course, must be over between us. You cannot marry an ex-convict or jailbird." Just a word of explanation due. Kenneth and I were straight and went straight until four weeks aso. He couldn't get work and I was sick and down and out. No home, no food, no money. Most everything I sent you I told the truth about. You may have to return everything I sent ou so they can check things off. Police will write what they claim is not stolen (only one dress, beads and lavalliere as far as I remember, stolen). I am truly sorrv and repentant, but as usual have repented too late. I ask your forgiveness for this, my darling!. and if you can to forgive me."

Harry was sent to Folsom Prison for grand larceny in 1919, released in 1923.

1918 Lincoln "Florence Royse alleges in a petition for divorce which was filed Saturday, that she had for nine years loyally supported her husband. Harry Royse, a minister of the gospel, and he deserted her in the train depot at Kansas, and had written to her and demanding that she obtain a divorce. The petition was filed in lincoln on July 10, and he afterwards held charges in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma He told her to go to her mother in Nebraska and that he was going to Colorado. He went with her as far as Kansas City, leaving her there in the depot at night. She then has not seen him, tho he has written, demanding that she obtain a divorce. There are no children.

Bunker Hill area, downtown Los Angeles
The Auditorium/San Carlos Hotel
"In 1919 Harry Royse decided to give up the life of a minister. The life of a Methodist clergyman—which he’d led for ten years—lost its kick apparently, so he spent most of that ’19 checking into hotels and burglarizing the stores therein, and sending ill-gotten gains to his new lady-friend up in San Francisco.
Royse was finally nabbed in the act with his fifteen-year-old nephew in tow, pilfering typewriters from the Auditorium’s shop on the corner of Fifth and Olive. He was given one to fourteen at Q; the nephew went to juvenile hall, and the gal up north got no more pretty things."

Florence is in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1920, age 41, widowed, living with mother Louisa Willer, 70.
Harry is in San Quentin prison in 1920, divorced.

April 7, 1923 "Florence Royse, forty-three years old, died at the home, 2600 R street, at 1 p. m. Friday. Funeral services will be held at the home in charge of Rev. H. S. Wilkinson at 3 p. m. Sunday. Burial will be in the Raymond cemetery. "

Florence (Bartlett) Royse 1877-1923 is buried in Lancaster County, Nebraska # 195027476.

1926 Salem, Oregon
"J. B. Criger, Silverton, has been brought to the county jail here from Silverton, bound over to the grand jury on ball of 11,000, charged with forgery. According to the Sheriff Bower has received from story told to the officers at the jail, Criger had worked for a man near Silverton, record of Harry Bolls Royse, alias Harry R. Raymond, H. R. Ellis, R. Ellas, H. R. Royse. Crlger is alleged to have forged a check with the name Harry Royse. Royse claims to have descended from the pulpit to a of the man he worked for and cashed it with a Silverton prison, and Indications are that he is a confirmed church burglar, using his past connections to ingratiate himself with shepherd and flock."

" J. C. Criger pleaded guilty to a forgery charge; Harry Rolls Royce to -a charge of receiving ttolen property, and Albert' '-Bart to a charge of stealing an automobile. All will be sentenced on Monday morning."

ROZELLE

In 1900 Yuma County, William Kennedy born Nov 1868 in Pennsylvania, with Rozella R April 1871 in Indiana, are school teachers, married 11 years. She's had two kids, both living..
Lyrra Sept 1889 was born in Nebraska, Ray June 1894 in Colorado.

In 1910 Lansing precinct, William J. is 41, Rozella 39, Lyrra 20 and Royse 3.


July 1911 Wray "Mrs. M. F. Royse, mother of Mrs. W. J. Kennedy, has leased her farm near Armel, lately vacated by W. J. Kennedy and family, to Ellis Vandyke. Mrs. Royse expects to go east in a short time. "

Rozelle is buried in Greeley 1871-1955 # 65225733, with William J. Kennedy 1869-1935.


Lyrra Harriet Kennedy was born in Nebraska to William James Kennedy and Rozelle Royse.

Royse Kennedy, 18, married Margaret E. Dutton, 20, in Pueblo, Colorado Nov 23, 1924.

In 1930 Pueblo, Royse and Margaret are both 22, Robert R. 4, and Virginia F. 2.

In 1940 Pueblo, Royce is 33, Margaret 31, Virginia 12, and Dorothy J. 2.

Dorothy Jean Blackstone 73, born in Pueblo, died in Washington in 2011.

Virginia Faye Kennedy, born Dec 2, 1927, died April 2, 2005, named Cummings in 1947, and Bishop in 1964.
Virginia, 77, died in Snohomish County, Washington.


Royse James Kennedy 1906-1971 is buried in Greeley # 65225734.

Robert R. Kennedy 1926-1935 is buried in Greeley # 65225723.

JESSE

1901

Jessie proved up a quarter in section 8, 3S 44W in 1904.



Jessie, born August 4, 1874 in New Albany Indiana, to James and Mary French (Gandy) Royse died Nov 10, 1903 in Omaha, Nebraska, buried in Wray # 68948557.
"Jessie E. Royse, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Royse of Cedar Bluffs, Nebr. was born in New Albany, Ind. Aug. 4 1874 died in Omaha Nebr. Nov. 10th 1903 age 29 yrs 1 months and 6 days. She was a young woman of large accomplishment as a musician and teacher. Having spent the earlier years of her life in proper preparation she found large success in her chosen field of labor. For ten years, she was a resident of Arapahoe and Yuma Counties, Colorado. For six years she taught school in old Arapahoe Co., District No. 47, 80, 90, 101, Deer Trail and Caton also in the public schools of Wray. She was a true friend to her scholars and found answer from them in their love for her. She was an unselfish soul because she was so truly Christian. Her first thought was of others. She was always active in her Christian life, her activities leaving an impress for good on all who knew her. Her last illness was cause of pain and intense suffering. But those who wait on this are comforted with the assurance that there is no pain there.
Appropriate funeral services were held at the family home in Cedar Bluffs Nebraska. The body was then brought to Wray for interment. The train arriving at Wray at 2 Friday Nov. 13 brought the remains and the members of the family. A brief service was held at the house, the Wray Public Schools having dismissed in recognition of her memory."

JAMES EDGAR

J. Edgar Royse 1867-1889 is buried in Burlington, Colorado # 89645623.

ALVAR

Flora Legg was in Kankakee County, Illinois in 1880, with Benjamin 31 and Hannah 30. They're with William Legg 61 and Rebecca 52.

They're in Beatrice, Nebraska in 1885, B. A. 32, H. J. 34, F. A. 12.

Benjamin 1849-1912 # 82309191 and Hannah 1850-1923 are buried in Independence, Missouri.

Alvar O. Royse and Flora A. Legg had Dora May on Oct 19, 1896 at Friend, Colorado.

James proved up a quarter in 15, 3S 42W in 1894, and A. O. Royse proved up 80 acres in section 3 in 1900.



In 1910 Finney County, Kansas, Alvar is 41, farming, with Flora 38 born in Illinois.
Edgar 15, Dora 13, and Woodford 11 were all born in Colorado.

Flora A. Royse, 38, married W.S. ELlis in La Junta, Colorado on May 27, 1911.

1914 St. John, Kansas "Miss Dora Royse returned to her home near Garden City Monday after a weeks visit here with her mother, Mrs. W. S. Ellis. "
In 1915 St. John, F. A. Ellis is 42, born in Illinois, with W. S. Ellis 30.

Their son Wilbur was killed on the Arizona in Pearl Harbor.

Flora is buried in Stafford 1872-1939 # 24938974.

In 1920 Finney County, Alvar is widowed, 54, with Dora M. 23.

1920 Garden City, Kansas "Edd Royse has sold out his part in the store to Arch Guthrie."

1922 Garden City, Kansas "Edgar Royse sold his store to Mr. Logan, a nephew of Jack Logan. They have the store closed invoicing."

Alvar is farming in Cherokee County, Kansas in 1930, and Dora N. is with him.

In 1940 Cherokee County, Dora is still with him.

Alvar Owen Royce 1869-1943 is buried in Cherokee County, Kansas # 26065189.

Edgar A. Royse and Rosalee Hunter had Harold Ralph Royse on June 20, 1922 in Garden City, Kansas, who died June 29, 2007. Harold is buried in Tulsa, Oklahoma # 132893999.


Edgar Royse is in Cherokee County, Kansas in 1940, 44, with Rosalie H. 38, Harold Ralph 17, Grace 15, Homer Lea 13, Marybelle 11, Dwight and Dean both 7.

Edgar Royse, born Sept 30, 1894, died July 8, 1973.

"Mary Bell (Royse) Liggett, of Berryville, Arkansas, was born July 28, 1928 in Garden City Kansas, a daughter of Edgar and Rosalie (Hunter) Royse. She departed this life Thursday, November 06, 2014 in Berryville, AR, at the age of 86.
On July 28, 1946 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Liggett. Mary was of Christian faith and was involved in the prison ministry.
She is survived by one daughter, Martha Nelson of Shell Knob, MO, one son, William Liggett and his wife Marisa of Butterfield, MO, 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 3 great- great grandchildren, one brother, Dean & wife Velda Royse of Liberal, KS; one sister, Grace Ward of Oklahoma City, OK.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Kenneth Liggett, and three brothers, Dwight Royse, Ralph Royse, and Homer Royse.

John Woodford Royse, born March 2, 1899 in Yuma County, died May 7, 1969, buried in Syracuse, Kansas # 29611647, with Helen (Burns) Royse 1902-2000.

LILLIAN

In 1900 Lillian, born October 1879 in Tennessee, is married to Clyde B. Moffit, 21 in Saline County, Nebraska.

In 1910 Mary F. Royse, 67, is living with daughter Lillie R. Moffitt 29 in Greeley, Colorado, with Harold B. Moffitt 8 and Kennethr R. Moffitt 7.

Lillian Royse Moffitt, 30, married Victor Marshall, 36, in Greeley on August 13, 1910.

Victor Robinson Marshall registered for WWI in Gila County, Arizona, a millwright helper born November 23, 1873, spouse Lillian.

In 1921 Victor R. and Lillian R. Marshall are living at 2409 Perryville Avenue South in Santa Monica, California.

There's a Victor Marshall in 1930 Seattle, Washington, 56, born in Ohio, son Royce 17 born in California.

Royse registered for WWII in Multnomah County, Oregon, born May 27, 1913 in Los Angeles, Victor his next of kin.

Harold Moffitt is in Omaha in 1920, 19, with Clyde Moffitt 41.
Harold Burdette Moffitt
Marriage 11 Jun 1924 in Orange County, California, Age:24 Father's Name:Clyde B Moffitt Mother's Name:Lillian Royse
Spouse's Name:Ethel Edith Miller
Age:22 Father's Name:Frank Miller Mother's Name:Minnie Miller Date: 1930 Event Place: Oakland, Alameda, California
Harold B Moffitt Head 36 Nebraska Ethel E Moffitt Wife 28 Minnesota

Richard Moffitt Son 4 California
Robert Moffitt Son 2 California 1940 Councilmanic District 10, Los Angeles
Last Place of Residence: Oakland, Alameda, California.
Harold B Moffitt Head,40 Nebraska, Ethel Moffitt Wife, 39 Minnesota Richard Moffitt Son 14 California

Harold Burdette Mofitt died in Los Angeles County on November 4, 1955.

Ralph K. Moffit and Madelyn B. Laws married in Los Angeles County on January 13, 1923.

Kenneth Moffatt and Madelyn B. Laws had Jeannie on Sept 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, who died July 1, 1997, named Chapman in 1941, Moffatt in 1944, Wells in 1947, Reber in 1950, Tucker in 1956, and Terrill in 1975.


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