(January 23, 1823-July 13, 1887)

Royal W. Simonds was born in the town of Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y. in what is now the village of Norwood, Jan. 23, 1823, and died in Norwood, of paralysis of the heart, July 13, 1887.

His father was one of the earliest settlers of Norwood, and helped largely to make the place what it is. He was a man of large and generous heart, as is seen in his gift of a most desirable lot for the M. E. church and parsonage.

Brother Royal Simonds was converted at the age of eighteen in the year 1841, in a revival meeting held by Rev. Mr. Wicks in Norfolk. He immediately identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he remained a faithful and consistent member till his death.

He was married in 1848 to Roxilla Helms. His home has always been happy--made so by the love and sympathy of wife and children. Twice before has it been invaded by death. Thirteen years ago, in 1878, Ida, the eldest daughter, went to her reward, and two years after, Emma went to meet her. Now the father suddenly goes out to the same unknown country.

Two brothers, Mr. James Simonds of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Mr. Chester Simonds of Canton, and one sister, Mrs. Mahala Chittenden, mourn his loss.

For many years this man has gone out and in before you. His life is known. It remains for me to outline a few characteristics of a good man.

1. Brother Simonds has always been characterized by a virtue which the Word of God and the world unite in commending--industry. Idleness could never be predicated of this man who to the hour of last fatal illness was most earnest in his labor. Work is noble and the workman who faithfully performs his daily toil is honored by men, and has thus far the approval of God.

2. Not the least legacy left to these sorrowing children is an untarnished reputation. Thank God for that in days when men fling dirt so profusely and smirch the fair name of God’s elect. About this man no breath of scandal has ever been whispered. There have been no doubts of his absolute integrity. It is much to have such a name in a community where one has lived three-score years. It evidences solidity of character.

3. In his religious life Brother Simonds was uniform and steady. He did not talk as much as some. That he lived better than many can not be doubted. When opportunity presented itself he was ready for testimony and prayer. Of the reality and depth of his piety let forty-six years of careful living speak. No eulogy of man can equal the voice of these long years of substantial piety.

4. His unselfishness was a marked trait, and is remembered with pleasure by his friends. This highest gift of God’s grace, this homely everyday virtue of self-sacrifice, is most conclusive evidence of readiness to die. More might be said, but it is better in those solemn hours to understate than to overstate. With yon today the community and the Church mourn the loss of a true citizen, a faithful friend, a kind neighbor, a loving husband and father, a christian man.

The shock of his alarmingly sudden death was terrible. Yet when the violence of your grief shall have subsided, you will be grateful that with so little suffering he entered into rest, you will rejoice that his passage over Jordan was so easy, his translation so painless.

(From Mr. Simond’s funeral sermon by his pastor, W. D. Marsh. This obituary provided by Peggy Wallis).

(Note: Royal W. Simonds is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Norwood).