Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-03-13

The state has lost a most CONSCIENTIOUS
public official; his town, devoted and
successful business man, and Addison
county a son who has always honored
her, in the death of George Edmund
Royce at Rutland, March 5, 1903.
He was son of Alpheus and Harriet
Moore Royce, and he was born in Orwell,
January /, 1929. He received his ed
ucation in the public schools of his native
town and at Troy Conference Academy,
Poultney.
At the age of 10 he entered the employ
of John Simons as clerk in store at
Watch Point, Shoreham, where he re-
NAMED two years. From there he re-
moved to New York and worked for
one year as salesman for Dibble, Frlnk
& Co., wholesale dry goods dealers.
Next he worked for Lathrop, Ludington
& Co., who were in the same business,
and with whom he remand about seven
years.
In 1859 Mr.. Royce organized the firm
of Robbins, Royce & Hard, wholesale
/ dry goods dealers, and two years later
the firm name was changed to Robbins,
Royce and Acker, which continued in
business, until January 1, 1864, when
partnership was dissolved because of
Mr.. Royce's poor health, and he moved
to Rutland.
A year later he became interested in
the Wardwell stone channelling ma
chine, which resulted in the formation
of the Steam Stone Cutter company
OF this corporation Mr.. Royce became a
trustee and the treasurer and at his
death he was superintendent,
Mr.. Royce was best known throughout
Vermont through his 10 years in the
marble business. In this industry
he was most successful. His first con-
nection with the business was in 1884
when, in company with several other
business men, he bought extensive
quarries at West Rutland and formed
the True Blue Marble company. In 1887
he was made treasurer and manager of
the company and he retained the po-
sitions until April 3. 1901, when the
entire stock of the company was sold to
Congressman c. N. Fowler of New
Jersey and George G.. Underhill of Rut-
land. In October 1902 Mr.. Royce pur-
chased the Corona and Thayer Marble
properties at Brandon and he has since
given his attention to these plants.
He was married to Merriam e. Brewer
of Orwell, February 3, 1857. She died
March 2, 1866. On September 6, 1866,
he married Martha A. Brewer, sister of
his first wife. He was married to Ellen
c. White Of Orwell, November 4, 1875,
and she survives him. By the first
marriage there were five children, three
of whom, Mrs. c. n. browne of South
dakota, Mrs. C. H. Hyde of Boston and
George B. Royce of st. Louis, are now
living. Three were born of the second
marriage Miss Jane NJ. Royce of Orwell,
is the only one surviving. There were
eight children from the last marriage
Those who are now living are Edmund
W., Thomas j., Pauline NJ, Albert A.
Henry NJ, Richard II. and Helen c., all
Of Rutland.
He is also survived by sister, Mrs
Stephen A. Warren of Orwell, and a
brother, Erasmus D., of California
Mr.. Royce was democrat in his pc,
litical preferences, and a bi-metallist
He had also held other local offices
Last fall he was member of the Yer
mont state senate. Since the organiza-
ton of the Baxter National bank he had
been one of its directors, and he alsc
belonged to the directing boards of the
Rutland City hospital and the United
States Tube company of Buffalo, N. Y
At one time he was connected with the
Rutland Granite company.
Mr.. Royce was Universalist and he
was trustee of st. Paul's church of Rut'
land. His name was enrolled among the
sustaining members of the Young Mep't
Chri stan Association.