John Lewis Roy

BISHOP, FREE, ROY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/6/2004 at 09:57:52

John L. Roy, a farmer of Lincoln township, was a representative of a family who early settled in the county. He was born in Indiana, a son of Thomas and Priscilla (Free) Roy. The father, who was born in Kentucky, was taken by his parents to Henderson county, Indiana, when but eight years of age and here he grew to manhood and upon reaching mature years became a farmer. In 1856 the came with his family to this county and settled in Linoln township. He served in the civil war for two years as a member of Company A, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea and participated in all twenty-three battles. He felt a just pride in his war record and was a member of John A. Pitzer Post, G.A.R., of Winterset. His wife, who was born in North Carolina, was taken to Indiana when quite small and was there married. She accompanied her husband to this county, the journey being made by wagon. She passed away when seventy-six years of age, two years befor the demise of her husband, who was called to his las reward on the 8th of March, 1905. They were members of the Baptist church. Their children were nine in number and all but four are deceased.

John L. Roy came to this county with his parents and experienced many of the hardships incident to pioneer life. As he grew older, he assisted more and more in the cultivation of the home farm and upon his father's death fell heir to the property, which comprised about one hundred and twenty acres. He operated his farm, following general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire active life.

On the 13th of March, 1877, Mr. Roy married Miss Paulina Bishop, a native of this county, born on the 3d of August, 1854. She passed away on the ist of June, 1898. She became a Christian at the age of twelve years and remained a lifelong member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Roy became the parents of five children: Denny, who died in infancy; Edward, who is farming in Webster township; Iva, who was born August 6, 1881, and died November 10, 1896; Fred, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Burt, deceased. Mr. Roy gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was never remiss in the discharge of the obligations of citizenship. He passed away April 13, 1912, and his demise was the occasion of sincere regret to his many friends, who held him in warm regard.

Taken from the book, "The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915"