My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. ROBERTS was formerly a member of the firm of John T. Roberts & Co., of Slatington, manufacturers and dealers in blue roofing slate. He was an enterprising citizen and a very able business man, having succeeded far beyond his own expectations in gaining a fortune. In all public and local affairs he was greatly interested, and in every way forwarded works which would redound to the good of the community in which he dwelt.

Mr. Roberts’ death, which occurred August 5, 1894, was very sudden; in fact, sudden deaths are peculiar to his family. In 1854, his sister, with her two daughters, was drowned while crossing the ocean in the “City of Glasgow,” the same ship in which Mr. Roberts had sailed the year previous. Another sister was also drowned at sea. Mr. Roberts was buried from his late residence August 9, 1894, and services were held in the Lutheran Church, Rev. Messrs. Erb, Williams and Evans officiating. His remains were interred in the family lot in Fairview Cemetery. Citizens and friends from far and near and Slatington Lodge No. 294. K. of P., attended in large numbers to pay the last sad rites to their honored and respected friend and esteemed brother, whom “none knew but to love, none named but to praise.”

A native of the north of Wales, John T. Roberts was born in Llanllechid, Carnarvon County, July 15, 1829. His father, Thomas Roberts, was born in the same land, and there his death occurred. His wife was born and reared to womanhood in Wales, and before her marriage bore the name of Margaret Roland. John T. spent his boyhood and youth in the place of his birth, where he received common-school privileges; but being of an ambitious turn of mind, and becoming convinced that America afforded better opportunities for an energetic young man, he in 1853 bade adieu to his early home, and with a brother set sail for the United States. He landed in Philadelphia March 2, 1853, and thence proceeded to Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County. Believing it necessary, before going any further in his career, to obtain a good knowledge of the English language, he attended school at Oxford, Pa., for some time, and being an apt student, rapidly acquired the language. In Wales he had learned the slate business, and upon his return from school he at once entered into the mining and manufacturing of slate. Later he bought some slate land, and as the years passed has extensively invested in the quarries of this region. In 1884 Mr. Roberts began handling blasting powder, and found a ready sale among the slate miners of the valley. He also became interested in town property, and was quite successful in his real-estate ventures.

November 8, 1856, Mr. Roberts married Fyetta Jully, a native of Heidelberg Township, this county, and to them were born two sons and a daughter: Thomas J., now deceased; William J., who is manager and has entire control of the Eagle store of this city; and Annie T., who is attending school. An active Republican, Mr. Roberts served in the City Council for three years, was for nine years on the School Board, and all but three years of the time was Treasurer of the same. Fraternally he was a member of Slatington Lodge No. 294, K. of P., of which he was a charter member. Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Lutheran Church, while her husband was formerly active in the Welsh congregation, having been Treasurer of the church for some years. In religious affairs he was greatly interested, being a worker in the church and an instructor in the Sunday-school. He was upright and honorable in his daily life, and by his sterling qualities endeared himself to all.