Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Roberts, Abel J. May 1, 1872 - 
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Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 September 15, 2015, 11:30 pm

Source: Vol. II  pg.76  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present 

        ABEL JAMES ROBERTS. For nearly thirty years a member of the police
force of Jacksonville, ABEL JAMES ROBERTS has worked his way up to the office
of chief, a position which he has occupied since 1921. His career has been
characterized by fearless performance of duty, fidelity to the department and
strict adherence to its best traditions, and promotion in his case has come
because it has been well deserved and honestly earned.
	Chief Roberts was born on his father’s farm in Bradford County, 
Florida, May 1, 1872, and is a son of JONATHAN KNIGHT and MARY ADALINE (ALFORD) 
ROBERTS. His father, a native of Lowndes County, Georgia, was educated in the 
public schools of that state, and at the age of eighteen years came to Florida 
and engaged in farming as one of the pioneers of Bradford County. He carried on 
general farming, including the raising of cattle and sheep, until 1883, when he 
disposed of his interests in Bradford County and came to Duval County, here 
following agricultural pursuits until his death in 1911, at the age of eighty-three
years. His wife, a native of South Carolina, died December 25, 1920, aged eighty
three years. His wife, a native of South Carolina, died December 25, 1920, aged 
eighty-four years. Of their thirteen children eleven are still living, Abel
James being the eighth in order of birth. JONATHAN K. ROBERTS was a democrat in
politics, but not an office seeker.
	ABEL J. ROBERTS attended the public schools of the country districts of 
Bradford and Duval counties, and spent his boyhood and youth on the home farm. 
At the age of eighteen years he left the parental roof and came to 
Jacksonville, where he was variously employed for three years, and upon the 
attainment of his majority passed the examination and was made a member of the 
police force. For thirteen years he traveled various beats in the city in the 
capacity of patrolman, and his faithful service and efficient discharge of duty 
eventually led to his promotion to desk sergeant. This office he held for about 
seven years, when he was made lieutenant, and after about five years in this 
capacity was advanced to assistant chief. He had held this post about 2 ½ years 
when, July 1, 1921, he was made chief of the department, which position he has 
since filled with the greatest of efficiency. He has proven himself an able 
executive in handling the force, a strict but just disciplinarian and an 
officer who is always willing to display the utmost of courage in the face of 
danger. He is respected by his men, esteemed by the people and greatly feared 
by the lawless element, upon whom he wages constant and unremitting warfare. 
Chief Roberts is a member of the Ionic Lodge No. 101, F. and A. M., of 
Jacksonville; Jacksonville Chapter No. 12, R. A. M.; And Damascus Commandery
No. 2, K. T. He is a democrat in his political adherence.
	On May 1, 1893, Chief Roberts was united in marriage with Miss ELLA
GERTRUDE HILL, also a native of this state, and to this union there have been
born five children: MABEL ELOISE, THOMAS HENRY, MARIE LOUISE, JOSEPH HILL and
ALINE GERTRUDE.


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