My Genealogy Hound

ROBERTS, JAMES, coal merchant; residence, Colchester, McDonough county, Ill., He was born in Cornwall, England, March 20, 1820; married there to Celia Knight, Sept. 7, 1846. In March, 1847, they sailed for America, and, on arriving, settled in Lawrence county, Penn. He was engaged in coal mining for over two years, then superintended the business for Crawford & Co., near New Castle; came west in 1853, and embarked in the coal business in Colchester, McDonough county. He then was obliged to haul his coal to Augusta, with teams, and from there shipped to Quincy; he being the first shipper to the city, over the Northern Cross Railroad. He established the first coal market in the city; was associated with his brother several years, afterward was in partnership with John McGinnis, Wm. Morris, and Mr. McCoy, they owning six-tenths interest. He finally sold to his brother. He again embarked in the business with Morris & Spencer, and cleared $10,000; sold out. The Colchester Coal Company consists of Henry Roberts & Bro.’s (his sons); they have run the business since September, 1877; they have leased the mines and machinery to A. Newland, Jr. Mr. R.’s marriage resulted in seven children: Henry, born March 20, 1849; James, Jane, Burdett, John R., Joseph, Cecelia M., and George W.