Crawford County, Pennsylvania

1885
Part V: Biographical Sketches

WEST SHENANGO TOWNSHIP
page 1142 F. Y. ROYAL, farmer, P. O. Turnersville, was born February 10, 1822, in this township, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Yokes) Royal. His father came to this county in 1798, with his parents, who settled in West Shenango. Peter Royal was from New Jersey; his wife was from Virginia. Our subject remembers when the county was very new, and has heard much from his grandparents of the privations of the early days. His advantages were few, compared to those of the present, yet he seems to have enjoyed life fully as well as those who live amid all modern improvements. His grandparents came into the woods, and began as pioneers that struggle with nature, and whose victories are represented in the beautifully developed farms now enjoyed by their descendants. Peter Royal was the father of eight children who grew to maturity, and but two of whom now survive: Mrs. Saville Cole, and F. Y. Our subject was first married to Miss Rebecca Betts, by whom he had one child—Melvina—now Mrs. De Voss. By his second wife, Emily C. Pratt, he has one child—Mary C.—now Mrs. Norton. Mr. Royal occupies a part of 100 acres which were owned by his father; is one of the leading farmers of the township, and has been ten years Justice of the Peace; is also School Director. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.