Roys, Benjamin 1862 - 1950

ROYS, BLACK, MELLORS, SHAMBAUGH, PROBERT, KEELER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/5/2024 at 13:40:31

Clayton County Register, 09 Nov. 1950.

Benjamin Roys was born Sept. 25, 1862, at South Leverton, Nottinghamshire, England. He was the third in the family of 15 children which were born to John and Sarah Black Roys. His early life was spent as a farm laborer in England, and on Dec. 24, 1888, with a friend, Frank Houcher, he set sail for America, landing at Boston harbor on Jan. 01, 1889. So they arrived here in time to experience a winter that is memorable for its great blizzards.

For two years he was employed on farms near Arlington and Volga. Then his betrothed, Jane Mellors of Retford, England, came to America, and they were married at Arlington (at that time called Brush Creek) on Oct. 18, 1890. Six children were born to them: Mellors of Wadena, Mrs. Mildred Shambaugh, Ruth Roys, Mrs. H. O. (Ethel) Probert, Walter and Dale, all of Volga. He was preceded in death by his wife on Aug. 22, 1916.

He was widely known as he had lived most of his active years on farms around Arlington and Volga. In 1926 he moved to the home that he had purchased in Volga; and it was there that he died on Oct. 28, 1950, after a brief illness. In early life he made the decision to follow Christ, and to that decision he clung unswervingly.

He is survived by his six children; by three brothers: Walter of Wadena; William of Sterling, Colo., and Tom of Maltby, Rotherham, England; and by one sister, Mrs. Ruth Keeler of Nottingham, England. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held in the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, following a brief service at the home. The Rev. Floyd R. Maynard, pastor, was assisted by a former pastor, the Rev. E. J. Starr of Hopkinton, who read Psalm 34:1 to 15 and Romans 8:1 to 15, offered prayer and spoke briefly in appreciation of Mr. Roys.

The Rev. Mr. Maynard preached the sermon, and announced that in addition to floral offerings, friends had contributed to a memorial for Mr. Roys. The Rev. William H. Seeley of Arlington sang two hymns, "Abide With Me," and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Burial was made on the family lot in Hill Crest cemetery west of Volga. Casket bearers were six grandsons: John Dale Roys, Henry Allen Roys, Bernard Roys, Dale Shambaugh, Harley Shambaugh, and Lyle Roys.