George E. Royce

About noon of last Saturday the community was saddened by the announcement that Mr. Royce was dead. He had been sick but three weeks but during this time he was a great sufferer, and several times during the last days of his illness his life was despaired of.

Mr. George E. Royce was born December 25th, 1862, and died September 23rd, 1899. He was the son of Jonathan and Sarah Royce, and one of a family of five children, four of whom, Maria P. Royce, Mrs. Emma M. Sprague, Jonathan F. and Asa M. Royce survive him. He was married in 1884 to Celia Sprague of Joliet, Ill. Of this union five children - Julian, Bertha, Grace, Laura and Lydia - were born, all of whom remain and are partakers with their mother in her sad bereavement.

Mr. Royce was a Mason in three Lodges, having received the Masters degree in Euclid Lodge August 6th, 1889, the Royal Arch degree in Euclid Chapter October 18, 1889, and the Order of Knights Templar in the Aurora Commandery December 1895. He was also a member of Napier Camp of Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Royce's early life was spent upon a farm near this city, but for the past nine years he has been connected with Scott's bank as its cashier, dealing also in electric lighting and real estate. He was a careful and painstaking accountant, a gentlemanly and courteous public servant, and a safe counselor in all financial matters. He will be greatly missed in business circles. Mr. Royce was quiet and retiring in his disposition, making less friends upon this account but holding hard by those whom he did make. He was a good citizen, temperate in his habits, and faithful to his public duties. He was a dutiful son, a good husband, and a kind father. His familiar figure will be missed upon our streets by his many acquaintances, and the vacancy which his death has caused can never be filled in the affections of his friends and relatives.

The funeral took place from his late residence at two o'clock on Monday. It was under the general direction of the Masonic Lodge, assisted by the Aurora Commandery, the latter conducting the ritual at the house, the former at the grave. Napier Camp Modern Woodmen and City Council, of which he was Treasurer, also attended in a body. The bearers were Drs. Bell and Dorn, Messrs. Kendall, Wallace, Sargent, Boldin from the Commandery, Messrs. Givler, Strubler, Rathbun, Tyler, Hayden and Dr. Barber from Euclid Lodge.

Rev. H. V. Tull, of the Congregational Church, preached the funeral sermon. A large concourse of people testified to their respect for Mr. Royce by following his remains to the grave. The floral offerings were many and appropriate. It was indeed a very sad funeral, and the sympathies of the community go out to the bereaved family.