My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL ROBERTS, one of the best known business men of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of Welsh Quaker stock so prominent in the lower section of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The founder of the American branch of the family was Robert Cadwallader, who came from Wales and settled at Gwynedd, and his children, in the Welsh manner at that time, took the surname Robert, which in the process of time became Roberts. Cadwallader Roberts, or Robert, accompanied the first settlers of Gwynedd in 1698, and the parents and other children came a few years later.

In the direct line of descent from Robert Cadwallader was Jesse Roberts (great-grandfather), born May 9, 1766, died October 22, 1851. He was the father of several sons, among whom was Samuel Roberts (grandfather), born September 1, 1795, who in early life resided in Plymouth, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. He settled on a farm at Springtown in 1830, residing thereon up to the time of his decease in December, 1877. His religious views were in accord with the doctrines of the Society of Friends, and his political affiliations were with the Whig and Republican parties. He married Mary Freas, and his children were Hiram, Mary, Jesse, George, Ann, Myra, Hannah, Samuel, Samuel (second), Isaac, Leah and Rachel.

George Roberts (father) was born at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1825. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Springtown, in which place he resided with the exception of a few years in Norristown, where he died on the 13th of November, 1878, in his fifty-fourth year. The active years of his life were devoted to agricultural pursuits. He took an active part in the affairs of the Republican party, but never sought or held public office. For many years he served in the capacity of secretary of the school board of Norriton township. He married Sarah Ann Schlater, who was born at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, the 30th of April, 1829, daughter of William Schlater, and the following named children were born to them: William, Samuel, Win field, deceased; Mary, deceased; George, Elizabeth and Anna. The mother of these children died June 1, 1862, at the early age of thirty-three years, leaving a family of small children. Mr. Roberts married for his second wife Mrs. Elizabeth Fulmer, no issue. Mr. Roberts was killed by the cars at the depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad, Thirty-second and Market streets, Philadelphia.

Samuel Roberts, second son of George and Sarah Ann (Schlater) Roberts, was born at Springtown, a few miles from Norristown, Pennsylvania, on the family homestead, December 7, 1853. He was educated in the public schools, and after completing his studies decided to learn the trade of cabinet making. He followed this occupation in Norristown until 1874, when he removed to Conshohocken, in which borough he has ever since resided. In 1886 Mr. Roberts engaged in business on his own account. He entered into partnership with Samuel Meredith, under the style of Roberts & Meredith, and they are conducting an extensive business in the selling and hanging of wall paper, also in the sale of carpets and all kinds of furniture. They are practical, thoroughgoing business men, and therefore deserve the success which has attended their well-directed efforts. Mr. Roberts is a director and stockholder in the Conshohocken Building and Loan Association, and the Tradesmen’s Building and Loan Association of Conshohocken. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also Fritz Lodge, No. 420, Free and Accepted Masons, of Conshohocken. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Roberts married, in 1877, Miss Martha Meredith, a daughter of Samuel Meredith, a well known resident of Norristown, Pennsylvania. One child was the issue of this marriage, Howard hl., who married Katherine Bodey, of Conshohocken, and they are the parents of one child, Katherine. Howard M. Roberts is employed in business with his father.