Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: John ROBERTS

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> January 2006

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Daily Northwestern July 9, 1895 p.1

John Roberts Dead

Proprietor of Roberts' Resort

The Well Known Neenah Hotel Man Meets Sudden Death by Falling Down Cellar
and Breaking His Neck-- His Wife Prostrated.

Neenah, Wis., July 9- John Roberts, the well known proprietor of Roberts'
Resort, the famous summer hotel on Doty island here, fell down cellar just
before noon today and broke his neck, causing almost instant death.  Mr.
Roberts, who was 62 years of age and one of the best known residents of
this section, had been troubled with creeping paralysis for the past two
years, and it is supposed that just as he started to descent the cellar
stairs he was seized with a sudden illness, which caused him to pitch
forward, striking on his head and shoulders at the bottom of the stairs.
Friends heard the crash and hurried to his assistance, but although medical
aid was at one summoned, the unfortunate man expired without regaining
consciousness.

Mrs. Roberts is prostrated by the shock of her husband's sudden death and
has been placed in care of a professional nurse.  Her health is none too
robust and fears and expressed on her account.  John Roberts, Jr., a son,
started for Chicago only last night and has been wired to return at one.
No funeral arrangements have as yet been made, although as Mr. Roberts was
a prominent Mason it is probable that order will have charge of the
obsequies.

John Roberts was born in Oneida county, N.Y. in 1833.  He has been in the
hotel business all his life.  In fact, has been connected with hotels as
clerk of proprietor ever since he was old enough to engage in any business.
His first experience was in Schenectady, then in New York, and for a time
in Newark, Ohio.   In 1866 he came to Wisconsin and located in Columbus,
where he opened a hotel.   Later he removed to Menasha, where he has been
in the hotel business many years.  He was the first to open a summer hotel
on these waters.  His fine plant on Doty's island has been known for many
years as Roberts' summer resort.  Mrs. Roberts was married in 1861.  His
wife was Miss Martha Lingenfelter, of Fonda, Montgomery county, N.Y.  Three
children were born to them, John, George C. and Stella.  Deceased had a
wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Wisconsin.  He was always
stirring and enterprising.  He was a Mason, and belonged to the Odd Fellows
and several other secret orders.  He has been a member of the board of
supervisors and was alderman of his ward for several terms.