| Notes |
- Soldier in Civil War. Private, Co. A, 148th PA Volunteer Infantry.
Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc.
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
page 411.
Findagrave:
From The Story of our Regiment: A History of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers
Corp Thomas E Royer, age 21, Rebersburg Pennsylvania enlisted Aug 22 1862, mustered Aug 25th, promoted to Corporal Nov 16 1863, wounded at Spotsylvania Virginia May 12 1864, transferred to the 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, Veterans Reserve Corps Feb 9 1865, discharged Aug 24 1865 resides at Rebersburg Pa.
"The long and toilsome marches of the campaign which culminated at Gettysburg, the excessive heat, the mental and physical strain of the battle, were exhausting to the boys in the extreme. They were emaciated, weak ans many of them were unable to carry muskets, myself being on of the latter, until we advanced in line of battle on the rebel works at Williamsport , there I picked up a gun belonging to one of our men who went home "without a pass." Thomas E Royer was another of those emaciated fellows, he possessed hardly sufficient corporal density to cast a shadow. Someone maliciously remarked that his inherited perversity, strengthened by years of practice, was the reason why he did not lie down and permit himself to be buried. He owed his recovery to an almost exclusive diet of blackberries of which there was an abundance all our route. For certain complaints there was more medicinal virtue in blackberries than in a ton of drugs, and scores of soldiers could testify to the fact. --Henry Meyer.
- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Page 410
T. E. ROYER, one of the most extensive land owners of Miles township. Centre county, is a veteran soldier whose gallant service in the war of the Rebellion won him lasting honor. Born September 17, 1840, he was in the full flush of manhood when, on August 25, 1862, he offered himself in his country's cause as a private in Company A, 148th P. V. L, which was recruited at Rebersburg. His first battle was at Chancellorsville, and he took part in the engagements at Mine Run, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, Auburn Mills, and all others of his regiment until, during the fierce charge made by the 148th at Spottsylvania Court House, he was disabled for such work as the members of that famous regiment were usually assigned to. The thumb and third finger of his right hand were shot away, but as soon as his wounds were healed Mr. Royer joined the Convalescent Corps, 51st Company, and remained on duty until mustered out with the rank of corporal August 25, 1865, when he returned to Brush Valley.
The Royer family were among the early settlers of Berks county, Penn., but have long been identified with Brush Valley, Christopher Royer, our subject's grandfather, having settled there in 1807. He was born June 19, 1768, and died October 16, 1849. The mill north of Rockville was built by him, and he owned a large tract of land in that vicinity. In addition to his farm work he carried on a distillery. His children were Daniel, Henry, Amos, Jefferson, Joel, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sarah and Barbara.
Henry Royer, our subject's father, was born in Snyder county (then Union county), near Middleburg, and was next to the youngest of the sons. He was a boy in his "teens" when his father came to Brush Valley, and his schooling was such as the times afforded, but his good sense and judgment made up in a large measure for lack of training. He was married in Brush Valley, when a young man, to Susan Wolfe, daughter of George 'Wolfe, and a native of Haines township. Centre county. He then located near Rockville on one of his father's farms, and followed agriculture during his active life, acquiring a fair competence, although he only lived to the age of forty-one years. He died in Sugar Valley, and his wife, who passed away before him at the age of thirty-eight, died in Brush Valley, both being buried at Rebersburg. He was a Whig, later a Republican, and was a stanch supporter of the principles of the party. In religious work he was active as a member of the Reformed Church, and he always showed hearty sympathy with any worthy improvement.
He had nine children, namely:
Joseph, who died at Howard, Centre county, was a prominent merchant and grain dealer;
T. E. is mentioned more fully below; Frank, a lumberman, resides at Loganton, Penn;
Henry G. is a resident of Johnstown, Penn. G. Scott, of Easton, is a rail- road conductor;
Annie married David Guswite, of Greene township, Clinton Co., Penn.;
Abigail married Thomas Brungart, of Sugar Valley;
Rachel is now Mrs. Andrew Ocker, of Madisonburg, and Isabella married J. D. Johnston, of Easton.
T. E. Royer was born September 17, 1840, the family then living near Rebersburg. His first school was at Tylersville, where his parents lived for awhile, and a Mr. Divens was his first teacher. Great improvement in educational facilities has been made since that time, and no one can be more heartily in favor of this progress than Mr. Royer. He certainly deserves credit for his effective use of his opportunities, his studies being pursued until he was himself qualified to teach. After hehad completed the course offered in the country schools, he studied higher branches at Rebersburg under Prof. Magee and Samuel Gramley, and when a young man he taught school in Sugar Valley, but the occupation did not agree with him and he decided to find other employment. As he was but a child when his father died, he made his home with Col. Henry Royer, near Rebersburg, and there became familiar with farm work, and he also learned the carpenter's trade under Jacob Frederick, of Aaronsburg.
In 1868 Mr. Royer married Miss Emma Haines, a native of Brush Valley, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Susan (Brungart) Haines.
Two children bless this union:
Susan M. , now the wife of John Long, of Red Oak, Iowa;
and Harry H., at home.
Mr. Royer has a comfortable home, and believes in taking what pleasure life may afford, but his present prosperity was not gained without hard work and shrewd management. After his marriage he located in the east end of Brush Valley on his father-in-law's farm. Later he removed to Sugar Valley, and rented a farm for three years, and then returned to Brush Valley. The first land he ever owned was eighteen acres at his present home, and by subsequent additions he has acquired about forty- eight acres, of which has been made a fine property. At two different times Mr. Royer has been engaged in mercantile business in Rebersburg, four and one-half years in all, and he formerly worked a little at his trade. He has been very successful in business. He has 563 acres of land in Brush Valley, and is one of the largest land owners in his township. He owns a home in Rebersburg, also several acres of land there, and has a partnership interest in over 235 acres of timber land. While he does no manual labor, the oversight of his property requires much time and attention.
Previous to his enlistment, Mr. Royer's sympathies were with the Democrats owing to the influence of those around him, as he lived in a Democratic community; but after his first fight as a soldier, he became a Republican, and has ever since been a steadfast adherent of that party. He is influential in local affairs, and has been school director and supervisor, although he lives in a strong Democratic locality and is no office seeker. He is noted for his sound judg- ment and common sense, strongly resembling his father in these respects as he does in outward appearance. He and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder. He is a liberal contributor to that cause, as well as to any other which seems to him worthy. At the organizaition of W. W. Bierly Post, G. A. R. , at Millheim, he was a charter member, and has been commander of that post. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 1031, at Rebersburg. [3]
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1840 - 1912 (71 years)
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