DALLAS J. ROYAL, a leading and enterprising agriculturist of Montague county, comes of a family that has long been a resident of Texas. He was born in Washington county, Arkansas, September 19, 1857. His father, Samuel C. Royal, was a native of Kentucky, and was a farmer by occupation. He removed to Texas in 1860, settling upon a farm in Hunt county, and in connection with the development of his land he engaged in preaching as a minister of the Christian church. Following the close of the Civil war he returned to Arkansas, but in 1872 again came to Texas, locating in Montague county on a farm southeast of Montague. There he remained for several years, when he sold his property and bought another tract of land near the town, remaining thereon until his death in 1892. He was very devoted to the church and used his influence for its upbuilding. He assisted materially in the substantial development and moral progress of the county, and his work in both lines bore good fruit. He is held in kindly and loving remembrance by many of his associates of the early days and his example remains as one well worthy of emulation by all who have a just regard of the value of character. His first wife died in Hunt county, Texas, in 1866. They were the parents of nine children: Ray, yet living in Arkansas; Bead, the wife of J. Fannin; Mrs. Sarah A. Lamb; John, who never returned from the war; George, who died in 1860; Alexander C., who died in Montague county in 1901, leaving a wife and seven children; Jordan, who died in 1884, leaving a wife and four children; Dallas J.; and Samuel N., of Oklahoma. After losing his first wife the father married Mrs. Mary Odell, a widow, and they had three children: William R., James C., and Bracken L. The second wife died and Elder Royal afterward married Parmelia Kidd, who is yet living, residing at the old homestead four miles from Montague. They had six children: Sidney, Mary, Charles A., Mattie, Dora and Cora A.
Dallas J. Royal accompanied his parents on their various removals to and from Texas. He returned to Arkansas but again came to this state and was reared to manhood in Montague county, remaining under the parental roof up to the time of his marriage in 1878, when he began the battle of life in earnest. He first rented land, which he continued to operate until 1892, when with his earnings he purchased a small farm, on which a few poor improvements had been made. Later he extended the boundaries of this property by additional purchase until he now owns one hundred and eighty acres. On this he has erected a commodious frame residence and outbuildings, has planted an orchard and has since increased the number of his fruit trees. He has also cleared his land and place it under a high state of cultivation and now has one hundred and twenty-five acres within his tilled fields, from which he harvests good crops. He also raises some stock, and in his farming work is meeting with a fair measure of prosperity.
In 1878 Mr. Royal was married to Miss Mary Flanagan, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Michael Flanagan, who was born in Ireland, and on coming to America settled in the Old Dominion. He was largely engaged on public works and did some gardening while on the Atlantic coast. Later he removed to Collin county, Texas, and subsequently settled on a farm south of Forestburg in Montague county, where he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1885. He was a devout member of the Catholic church. His children were: James, George, Mary, Jacob, William, Dolly and John. The wife and mother still survives and is now living at Fort Worth, Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Royal have become parents of nine children: Maud M., the wife of C. Morgan; Edward, Zelie, the wife of W. Parr; Eugene; Walter; Effie, Lena; Mamie; and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. Royal are earnest and active members of the Christian church. In politics he is independent, reserving the right to vote as he thinks best without regard to party affiliation. His business career has been characterized by consecutive advancement, owing to his strong purpose, his understanding of business conditions, and his unflagging industry. He has realized that energy is the basis of all successful accomplishment, and he has persistently labored in the acquirement of a good property and desirable prosperity.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. I, pp. 575- 576.