Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago - Portland: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 231. CHARLES WESLEY ROYAL Charles W. Royal is well remembered as one of the early settlers of Mount Tabor. While living there his attention was largely devoted to horticultural pursuits. At different times, however, during his residence in the state, especially in the early days, he was identified with educational affairs, and no man had keener interest in intellectual progress or took more genuine delight in the substantial development of the schools. In fact, his influence was always on the side of municipal and moral progress, and it is this which makes him remembered by many who knew him, while he was still an active factor in the world's work. He was born in Piqua, Ohio, February 17, 1823, a son of William and Barbara (Ebey) Royal. His father was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, and was a minister of the gospel. He began preaching in 1831 and his first appointment was at Fort dark, situated somewhere in the vicinity of Peoria, Illinois. His circuit included all of the territory north of Peoria save Chicago, where the Rev. Jesse Walker was then stationed as a preacher. William Royal continued his labors in the middle west until 1853, when he came with his family to Oregon as a retired preacher of the Rock River conference of Illinois. He was later transferred to the Oregon conference and preached his first sermon in the northwest at John Season's home in Jackson county, Oregon. He was connected with several different circuits during his residence in the northwest and lived in Portland for several years. He built the first Methodist church on the east side of the city called the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, and his labors in behalf of his denomination were far-reaching and effective, his work still bearing good fruit in the lives of those who heeded the gospel call under his teachings. He was living retired at the time of his death, which occurred in Salem, Oregon, in September, 1871. His wife was born on the Little Juniata river in Pennsylvania in 1800. The birth of the Rev. William Royal occurred in February, 1796, and thus he had attained the age of seventy-five years at the time of his demise. The family numbered seven children, six sons and a daughter, of whom the eldest, the Rev. Thomas F. Royal, now ninety years of age, is mentioned at length on another page of this volume. Charles W. Royal, the second of the family, completed his education as a student in McKendree College, at Lebanon, Illinois, and afterward learned the mason's trade but did not follow it to any great extent after the period of his early manhood. While visiting near Victoria, Illinois, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah A. Cumming, a daughter of John and Mary (Berry) Cumming of Victoria. The young lady was teaching school in that vicinity and the friendship which sprang up between them was consummated in marriage on the 2d of September, 1864. Mrs. Royal was born at Rocky Springs in eastern Tennessee. Her father learned and followed the blacksmith's trade, but also became a preacher of the Episcopal church. Removing to Aurora. Illinois, Mr. Royal there engaged in the machinery business, dealing in farm machinery for some time. At length he determined to establish his home in Oregon, to which state his father and the rest of his family had preceded him in the year 1853, and to this end made an offer to close out his business in Aurora. He could not settle up his affairs, however, in time to make the trip when he wished, so his wife and son, Osmon Royal, then a boy, started for the coast, making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama and arriving in Portland in August, 1865. Mr. Royal's father, Rev. William Royal, was here at the time, and in the fall of the same year Charles W. Royal, having closed out his interests in the middle west, arrived in Portland. He and his wife then event to the Umpqua Academy, of which his brother, Rev. Thomas F. Royal, had charge, and both engaged in teaching in that school for about a year. They then returned to Portland. In the meantime, before the arrival of her husband, Mrs. Royal had engaged in teaching at the Indian school at Fort Simcoe, of which Rev. James H. Wilbur, known as "Father Wilbur," had charge. After their return to Portland, Mr. and Mrs. Royal rented a farm that includes the present site of Mount Tabor, which is now one of the beautiful and populous residence districts of Portland. For a year he devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits, at the end of which time the family home was established at Salem that the eldest son might have the privilege of attending college there. Mr. Royal turned his attention to the real-estate business in which he continued at Salem for about six years. During this time he was a most active member of the city council. Again a return to Portland was made, and the family once more took up their abode on their Mount Tabor land, where Mr. Royal gave his attention largely to the cultivation of berries which he found a successful undertaking. He was one of the first settlers of Mount Tabor, there being only three houses in that locality at the time. He continued to make his home there until his demise, which occurred October 16, 1895, his remains being interred in Lone Fir cemetery. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Royal removed to another part of Mount Tabor, where she still lives. They were the parents of two children, but one died in infancy, and the other, Charlie, at the age of four years. By a former marriage, Mr. Royal had two children. In Illinois he had wedded Rachel Misner, who died in that state about fifty years ago, leaving two sons: Ladru, of Los Angeles, who is engaged in the real-estate business and for many years was a successful teacher of Oregon; and Dr. Osmon Royal of Portland, who is mentioned in this volume. In his political views Charles W. Royal was always an earnest republican from the organization of the party, and faithfully discharged every duty of citizenship that devolved upon him. He was, moreover, a very active, faithful and helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and held different offices therein, serving as steward, Sunday school superintendent, and in other official capacities. He did everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence, and he was ever a progressive man who sought as well the intellectual development of the community and furthered every movement which tended to uplift mankind. His entire life was actuated by a spirit of broad humanitarianism and by all who knew him he was held in high respect and honor. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 08-06-1860 Census of DeKalb Co, IL; Sandwich, p 263 Charles W. Royal, 36, OH, teacher Rachel, 34, OH Lodsu, 8, IL Osman, 4, IL 07-02-1870 Census of Marion Co, OR; South Salem pct, p 49 C. W. Royal, 47, OH, house agent Sarah A, 42, TN Labau, 18, IL Osman, 14, IL Chas, 1, OR 06-04-1900 Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Portland, Mt. Tabor Pct, p 133 S. Royal, boarder, 72, Sept 1827, TN, PA, TN, mar 20 yrs, 0 children-0 living (living with M. Graves family) 04-22-1910 Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 58, p 5; 1640 E. Stark Sarah A. Royal, 82, TN, PA, TN, Wd, own income 01-07-1920 Census of Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 185, p 138 Alice M. Richards, 51, MO, IN, OH, Wd Helen C, dau, 19, OR, OH, MO Ralph D, son, 15, OR, OH, MO Sarah A. Royal, boarder, 92, TN, PA, TN, Wd ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.