Roberts, William M.

ROBERTS, KELCH, FULLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/25/2003 at 09:25:35

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

WILLIAM M. ROBERTS.

For almost twenty years the subject of this review has been a faithful, and trusted employee of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Clinton. He is a native of Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, and a son of J. J. Roberts, who was also born in that state and continued to make his home there until coming to Iowa in 1868, when he took up his residence in Cedar county. In 1880 he removed to Sac City, Sac county, where he followed farming. He married Miss Martha Kelch, a native of Germany, who was only about three years of age when brought by her parents to the United States. By this union nine children were born, but only four of that number are now living. W. M. Roberts being the eldest living.

Mr. Roberts, whose name introduces this sketch, began his education in the public schools of his native state, and after the removal of the family to Iowa he attended school in Cedar county. When his school days were over he engaged in farming in Sac county until March, 1882, when he went to Cedar Rapids and entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, at first being engaged in trucking freight in the freight house at that place. He next worked in the switch yard at Cedar Rapids and rose to the position of yardmaster, which he capably filled for about a year. At the end of that time he went upon the road as brakeman, and was promoted to conductor November 2, 1887, in which capacity he has since served the company. During his connection with the train service his run has been principally between Clinton and Boone, Iowa, and for the past six months he has had a regular freight run on the Midland division. He is a very efficient and popular conductor, and is thoroughly reliable in all things.

On the 25th of December, 1888, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage with Miss Eva Fuller, of Sac City, Iowa. Mrs. Roberts was born in Momence, Kankakee county, Illinois, was the daughter of William and Catherine Fuller, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, who at an early day moved to Illinois, making their home in Kankakee county, Illinois, until 1881, when they moved to Iowa. Mr. Fuller died June 18, 1895, his wife following him December 1, 1897. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary four years before Mr. Fuller’s death. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Roberts is the youngest child. Our subject and wife have two children, Irene and Gladys. Fraternally Mr. Roberts is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors.