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1907 Past and Present Biographies

A. B. Roberts & Son

The firm of A. B. Roberts & Son is well known in Paton, where they are engaged in dealing in grain, coal, feed, tile and all building materials except lumber. They own the largest elevator in the place, built by them in 1902, and their business is constantly increasing, having long since assumed profitable proportions.

A. B. Roberts is a native of Richmond, Indiana, and a son of the Rev. William Roberts, who is mentioned on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of Lindley H. Roberts. Having arrived at years of maturity, A. B. Roberts was married in Indiana to Miss Lizzie S. Johnson, who was born in Lynn, that state. Becoming residents of Greene county, Iowa, Mr. Roberts established his home here and turned his attention to farming, which he followed in capable manner and with growing success until 1895, when he and his brother, L. H. Roberts, engaged in the grain business at Paton under the firm style of Roberts Brothers. This connection was continued until 1902, when the firm became A. B. Roberts & Son. Two years ago, on account of his health, A. B. Roberts removed to Kansas, where he assumed the management of a ranch that was being developed and which is owned by a company composed of residents of Paton. He is there residing at the present time and is acknowledged one. of the enterprising business men of his community in Kansas, having won a similar reputation in Paton.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born three children: W. J., of the firm of A. B. Roberts & Son; Malinda Alice, who is with her parents in Kansas; and Edgar M., who wedded Miss Rider, a daughter of George F. Rider, and is also living in Kansas. The elder son was born in Greene county on the 15th of June, 1881, and was educated in the public schools of Paton and in the Capital City Business College at Des Moines. He married Miss Mabel E. Bowers, a daughter of E. D. and Catherine (Wilson) Bowers, both of whom are residents of Paton. W. J . Roberts now has entire management of the business of the firm of A. B. Roberts & Son and has built up an excellent trade in grain, coal, feed, tile and building materials. As a grain dealer he furnishes an excellent market to the producers of this part of the state and he makes large annual shipments of the cereals raised in Greene and adjoining counties. He is a young man of enterprise and determination, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his diligence constitutes the basis of his prosperity.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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