Introduction
Leonard Laurence Roray fought in the Civil War, then later moved to Camden. He was one of the last Civil War veterans alive in South Jersey when he passed in 1939.
This biography of Leonard Roary was written by Karen Denmark:
Leonard’s young appearance belied his 20 years when he had this photo taken in full dress uniform. Born December 16, 1844 at Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA, to James P. and Judith L. (Thomason) Roray, he left his farm in NJ to enroll in Co H, 3rd NJ Cavalry. Though his military career appears unremarkable, he seems to have taken to the army quite well and was considered “a very splendid gentlemen and soldier” by his friends.
Enrolling at Bridgton, NJ, he was described as being 5’5” tall, and having a fair complexion, gray eyes, and fair hair. His occupation was noted as farmer.
After the war, he stayed active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was elected P.D. Commander of GAR of the State of NJ. Up until the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Directors of the State Soldiers Home at Vineland, NJ.
He married Lydia B. Stevens in Camden on April 15, 1869 by Rev. Reed of the 1st Presbyterian Church. They only had one child, a son, Winfield Scott Roray, born October. 9, 1873. After the war he was employed by the railroad working in train service and settled in Camden, NJ.
Lydia died on July 12, 1918. Leonard lived on his own for many years later, but in the 1930’s, he moved in with his son and his son’s wife, Nellie because of rheumatism, vertigo and general disability from aging. A member of the pension board visited Leonard in 1938 and reported that “he is confined to bed a great deal…but his mental condition is fairly good.” By now, Leonard had developed stomach cancer.
Leonard died of chronic myocarditis at the age of 94 years on May 13, 1939 at 6:00 am at his son’s home at 216 Swarthmore Road, Glassboro, NJ. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden, NJ with a full military service provided by Shaw Paulin Post.
Leonard’s military pension was first awarded in 1905 at $6 a month. By the time he died he was receiving $100 a month.
Leonard Lawrence Roray was living at 610 Clinton Street in 1888. One of his neighbors who was also Civil War veteran and member of the Grand Army of the Republic was George Denniston Haley, who lived at 326 Chester street and by 1890 at 624 Carman Street.
Leonard Roray was affiliated with the Thomas M.K. Lee Post #5 of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife Lydia was a member of the Loyal Ladies League Hatch Post #2. In 1925 He was elected the State Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic in new Jersey. He had previously served as Deputy Junior Vice Commander.
Leonard Roray was also a member of Lenni Lenape Tribe, No. 2 of the Improved Order of Red Men.
Lenni Lenape Tribe, No. 2
In 1886 George Reeser Prowell wrote the following about Lenni Lenape Tribe, No. 2 in his History of Camden County, New Jersey:
Lenni Lenape Tribe, No. 2, is the oldest existing tribe of the order in the State, and in numbers and wealth the strongest and richest in the United States. It was instituted May 10, 1850, by Great Incohonee William B. Davis, assisted by Francis Fullerton, of Lenni Lenape Tribe, No. 8, of Pennsylvania, and Great Chief of Records of the United States. These were the charter members: Nathaniel Chew, William F. Colbert, John T. Davis, Timothy C. Moore, Sylvester Rainhard, Joseph Shipley, Daniel S. Garwood, William Beckett, George Wood, E.D. Brister, John Wood, Joseph Myers, Albert Robertson, John W. Hoey, James B. Richardson, Robert Maguire, Joseph B. Hawkins, James O. Stillwell and Anthony Joline. The officers were as follows: P., Timothy C. Moore; S., Nathaniel Chew; S.S., John Wood; J.S., William F. Colbert; C. of R., Joseph Myers; K. of W., Albert Robertson.
Lenni Lenape has had an eventful career, at times flourishing and at other times so short of funds that a few faithful members paid expenses and benefits out of their private purses, but persistence won at last and a flood tide of prosperity set in, which has continued until the Lenni Lenapes number seven hundred and thirty-two and the wampum belt contains $21,370.89.
Among its members are these Past Great Sachems:'George W. Watson, John T. Davis, Charles H. Gordon, Thomas J. Francis and Daniel M. Stevens; and of its Past Sachems these are living: Timothy C. Moore, Henry A. Breyer, Lewis Zeigler, Samuel J. Fenner, Edward J. Steer, William F. Farr, Samuel D. Watson, George Horneff, George A. Cairoli (Brother of Mrs. Emma Horneff- PMC), Thomas J. Rowand, Samuel A. Owens, Benjamin M. Braker, Lambert Banes, George Pfeiffer, William Sheridan, Thomas F. Muckelson, Hope Sutton, James P. Moore, D.D. Worts, Leonard L. Roray, Benjamin J. Price, John A. Hall, B.S.M. Branning, Abraham Davis, Harry B. Garrison, Walter E. Garwood, George A. Rogers, William C. Davis, Frank P. Jackson, H. Frank Pettit, John A. Harbeson, John Quick, Angus B. Cameron, Lewis Z. Noble, George Leatherwhite, Conrad F. Austermuhl, John K. Seagrove, Charles L. Vansciver, Harry Hoffman, Harry B. Tyler, James H. Reeve and George W. Davis. The officers are: P., G.W. Davis; S., Edward Francis; S.S., Samuel Baker; J.S., Joseph Watson; C. of R., L.Z. Noble; K. of W., C.F. Austermuhl; Trustees, t.j. francis, T.F. Muckelson, J.K. Reeve, Leonard L. Roray and H.F. Pettit.
Vets in Colorful Memorial Crowd Convention Hall
Camden Courier-Post —
Military and Civic Organizations Parade in Camden and Join Services Addressed by Clergy and Congressman Wolverton
More than 2500 persons attended a joint veterans memorial observance in Convention Hall which followed a parade of veterans and civic organizations yesterday afternoon.
To the martial strains of bands and bugle corps, the participants marched from Fifth and Cooper to Seventh Street; south to Haddon avenue, then to Line Street and the Convention Hall.
The parade was headed by a squad of motorcycle police under Acting Sergeant William Taylor. They were followed by the band, headquarters, howitzer, medical and service companies of the 114th Infantry in command of Capt. Mahlon F. Ivins, Jr.
Then came the massed colors, National Guard, Naval Reserve, Disabled American Veterans, John J. Pershing Camp No. 9, United War Veterans, Gen. John A. Mather Post No. 18, Spanish War Veterans with their fife and drum corps and the Clara E. Waller Auxiliary; Posts 518 and 980 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and their bugle corps; Mt. Ephraim Junior Legion, No. 150; and bugle corps; Public Service American Legion Post and bugle corps; Westmont American Legion Post and bugle corps; 50 Pennsylvania Gold Star Mothers led by Mrs. Mary E. Hewson; Elks color guard and the Salvation Army and band.
G. A. R. Vets In Line
Three veterans of the G. A. R., in flag-draped automobiles, participated in the parade. They were John W. Coleman, 76, of 31 North Thirty-fifth street, who served with the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry; William A. Morgan, 93, of Clementon, who was with the 104th Doylestown Infantry, and Leonard L. Roray, 89, of Glassboro, who served with Company H, Third New Jersey Cavalry.
Ceremonies at Convention Hall opened with advance of the colors to the stage and invocation by Rabbi Nachmann Arnoff.
Rev. Charles Bratten Du Bell, former chaplain of the 114th Infantry, delivered a memorial address, taking as his subject the career of General “Stonewall” Jackson.
Congressman Charles A. Wolverton after paying tribute to the G. A. R., Spanish American and World War veterans, promised that Congress would make provisions to support widows and orphans of veterans who need aid before adjournment this Summer.
Criticizes Veteran Cuts
He attacked any plan for balancing the national budget which does so at the expense of the veterans.
“There are two ways to balance the budget,” he said. “One is to take the money from the veterans and federal employees. The other is to require wealth to help.”
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and United Spanish War Veterans memorial services and rituals also featured the program. Rev. Lewis A. Hayes, of Westmont, pronounced the benediction. C. Richard Allen, past county commander of the American Legion, was master of ceremonies.
The committee included Samuel Magill, Jr., chairman; Edward A. Stark, A. F. Klein, Joseph A. Kohler, Joseph Whylings, James J. Burke, Norval McHenry, Charles Buzine, William Amberg, James Milne, William P. Breen, William Miller, William Reinholdt; Edward J. Wintering, William Eisele, William Lloyd, Joseph F. Markley, Frank Ellis, D. J. Connors, Joseph Lounsberry and Charles M. Jefferies.