OBIT: ROBERTS, Chalmers Thomas; 1909; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, 15 Jan 1909 Volume 43, Number 3 Death Reaches Out Across Dark River Chalmers T. Roberts, One of the County Seat's Prominent Business Men, Passes on to Reward Had Not Been Ill Mrs. Roberts Sick Chalmers Thomas Roberts, one of Ebensburg's most prominent citizens and a man known and respected throughout the county, died suddenly at noon Monday of paralysis of the heart. Mr. Roberts had appeared to be enjoying his usual health up to 11 o'clock and the news of his death came as a shock to this entire community. Shortly before 11 o'clock, Mr. Roberts was at his home, reading one of the morning papers and discussing an item of news which interested him with members of his family. Suddenly a look of pain came over his face and he put his hands to his head. "O, I'm desperately sick," he said and started upstairs to the bathroom. Mrs. Roberts followed her husband and was just behind him when he collapsed on the bathroom floor. W. C. Shields and Frank Gurley, who conducted stores near the Roberts home, were hastily summoned and while medical aid was being sent for, assisted Mr. Roberts to a chair. Dr. F. C. Jones, Dr. Harry J. Bennett and Dr. Thomas J. Davis arrived a few minutes later and the patient was carried to his bedroom, where he died about an hour later. About Christmas time, it is said, Mr. Roberts suffered from a severe attack of indigestion, but soon recovered and had seemed to be enjoying his usual health ever since. The grandfather of Chalmers Thomas Roberts was Hugh Roberts who came from Wales and settled in Cambria Township in 1784. David H. Roberts, his father, was said to have been the first male child born in Ebensburg. Chalmers Thomas Roberts was born within a short distance of his present place of business and residence on October 18, 1834. He received his education at the old Ebensburg Academy, which occupied the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn. He learned watch repairing and for two years was in the employ of William B. Hudson, going with the latter to Mt. Vernon, O., in 1852 and remaining there about six months. He returned to Ebensburg in 1853 and remained there and worked for a time on the MOUNTAINEER, then published by Albright & Mullen. When Kansas was first opened for settlement in 1854, Mr. Roberts went there and helped build the first printing office in the new State, for the Lawrence HERALD OF FREEDOM. Returning to Ebensburg in 1856 Mr. Roberts established himself in business repairing watches and dealing in jewelry and stationary. Twenty years later he established Roberts' Variety Store, where he dealt to the time of his death in notions, books and toys. Mr. Roberts, who was an ardent Republican, was twice burgess of Ebensburg and served several terms as a member of the Borough Council. He was a lifelong member of the Congregational Church and one of its most active and honored members. At the time of his death he was Treasurer of the congregation, a Trustee and church Clerk. He had been previously also one of the Board of Deacons. The sum total of his service in various church capacities is over 100 years. Mrs. Roberts, who survives her husband, was formerly Miss Rebecca M. Rodgers of Churchtown, Lancaster County. The couple were married in 1861. Mrs. Thomas Siviter of Pittsburg; Miss Mary Roberts, at home and Dr. Franklin Butler Roberts, a successful dentist of East End, Pittsburg, are the surviving children; a daughter, Miss Mattie Roberts, having died in 1884. Besides his widow and children, Mr. Roberts is survived by a brother, Newton I. Roberts, a well known resident of Johnstown. The late Howard J. Roberts, formerly Cashier of the First National Bank of Johnstown who lost his life in the Great Flood of 1889, was another brother. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon from the Congregational Church. The obsequies were in charge of the Masons. The Roberts funeral was the largest held in Ebensburg in recent years. The church edifice was crowded. The Rev. J. Twyson Jones of Iowa City, Ia., who was formerly Mr. Roberts' pastor, conducted the services in the church. He made a strong impression on his hearers. The Congregational choir sang, "Nearer, My God, To Thee," "It is Well With My Soul," and "Abide with Me." The pall bearers were the Hon. Edmund James, F. H. Barker, Fergus C. Lloyd, Herman T. Jones, W. A. Jones and Oscar Kinkead. Interment was made in the Lloyd cemetery. Unable to Attend Mrs. Roberts, widow of the deceased, was unable to attend the funeral. Ailing for some time, Mrs. Roberts broke down at the death of her husband and is confined to her home on High Street. Her condition, however, is not regarded as serious. Among the relatives and acquaintances here for the funeral were Newton L. Roberts of Johnstown, a brother of the deceased; together with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hinchman and Mr. and Mrs. George C. Jordon, sons-in-law and daughters of Newton L. Roberts; Dwight Roberts, son of Howard J. Roberts, deceased, a brother of Chalmers Roberts and David J. Jones of Westmont, an old time associate of the deceased. Mrs. John R. Hughes and Mrs. Thomas S. Davis of Iowa City, Ia., were also here, having arrived from Johnstown where they on Tuesday attended the funeral of their nephew, Frank H. Roberts.