Biography - Colmady P. Roberts
COLMADY P. ROBERTS, a citizen well-known in Shelby County (where he has lived for many years) as an honorable and upright man having the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, is always named as one of the most enterprising and energetic business men of Lakewood, that pleasant village situated near what was once the shores of Lake Miantowana. He was born in Wayne County, Pa., October 16, 1844, his parents, John S. and Mary A. (Friggins) Roberts, being natives of Cornwall, England. The father was born in 1807 and the mother the year previous. Their marriage took place in England in 1830.
After twelve years of married life in the old country John and Mary Roberts migrated to America and located in 1842 in Wayne County, Pa., where they remained for seven years. They removed to Lafayette County, Wis., in 1849, remaining there till 1856 when they came to Shelby County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The death of the father, which occurred in 1878, resulted from a sunstroke and the mother passed away in 1884.
Colmady P. Roberts received his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and of Shelby County, supplemented by attendance at the academy in Shelbyville. He enlisted in the army under President Lincoln's last call for volunteers in 1865 for one year's service and after serving seven months received his discharge on account of the declaration of peace. He enlisted as Corporal in Company K, Fourteenth Illinois (new organization) and was discharged as Orderly-Sergeant of his company, he took part in the race after Johnston with Sherman's army and marched up through the Carolinas in Virginia, to Richmond and Washington and participated in the Grand Review. The regiment gave real service during its short term. It was near Ft. Kearney, Neb., when orders came to be mustered out.
To Shelby County our subject returned after his discharge and engaged in the peaceful pursuits of teaching and farming, following these pursuits for a number of years. Having reached the mature age of twenty-five years this young man decided to agree practically with the scriptural doctrine that it is "not good for man to be alone," and chose for himself a wife in the person of Miss Elmira Carder, a native of this county, who was born here in August, 1850. They were married November 11, 1869. Her parents, Joseph and Frances Carder, were early pioneers of Shelby County and Mrs. Roberts was the youngest in their family of five children, the others being James, Henry, Frances, and one sister who died in early life. Only two of this number now survive. Their mother died in 1851 and the father remarried and had six children by the second union, four of whom are living. The happy home of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts has been blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom still make their home under the parental roof. The oldest, Edwin A., was born June 30, 1871, and died July 4, 1891; Annie B., born in January 14, 1873, is next in age and Joseph S., born June 3, 1875, is now attending school at Danville, Ind., at an institution under the control of the State. Gracie R., the pet and delight of the family, was born April 20, 1885.
In 1872 Mr. Roberts engaged in buying grain and produce at Lakewood and has continued handling grain and stock in connection with merchandising and farming up to the present date. He and his wife own about six hundred acres of farming land in the vicinity of Lakewood and also some property within the village. He carries a general stock of dry goods, groceries, ready made clothing, boots and shoes, provisions, etc. His store is filled with a well-selected stock and he enjoys an excellent share of the trade of the town.
This gentleman takes a great interest in religious work and especially in Sunday-school, being a member of the Separate Baptist Church for which he often preaches, being ever ready to supply vacancies and attend funeral services. His excellent wife is also an active worker in the same church. He is very useful in the community and is frequently called upon to settle estates and act as guardian for minor children, in both of which capacities he has shown himself eminently worthy of the confidence which was reposed in him. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and is at the present time a Notary Public. His political views are expressed in the declarations of the Republican party, in the prosperity of which he takes great interest.
Extracted 08 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 242-247.
