SAMUEL ROBERTS, a leading stock-dealer and shipper of Jo Daviess County, owns and occupies a handsome suburban home just outside the city of Galena and late a portion of the old E. B. Washburne homestead, which contributes to make it a spot of more than ordinary interest. Associated with Mr. Roberts in the industry spoken of is his brother, Thomas M., and the two together transact an extensive and profitable business. The land lies on section 21 in East Galena Township, and is situated on the Elizabeth road. The homestead comprises twenty-three acres of land, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation. In addition to the home place, Mr. Roberts owns 170 acres, mostly between the homestead and the city of Galena. In this tract is a part of the celebrated Horse Shoe Mound, next to the highest point in the State. The residence is a substantial structure, and, with its surroundings, is shown in the accompanying view.

Within the city the Roberts Bros. conduct the leading retail meat-market of the place, adjacent to the city hall and public square. This has been in operation since 1844, and was established by the father, Henry Roberts, who conducted it successfully a term of years, and then turned over the business to his sons. The latter for many years prosecuted a retail trade, and the partnership existed until the year 1860; it is now conducted under the firm name of T. M. & S. Roberts. They have a large local trade, and number their friends by the score in this county, both in social and business circles.

Henry Roberts was born in Cornwall County, England, where he was reared, and at an early age took to the sea, coming to Halifax, N.S., on the first mail-packet which put in at that port. Later, on another vessel, he was the second to enter the port of New York. He abandoned the sea about 1815. He was first married in his native England to Miss Philippa Mitchell, who was born and reared in Cornwall County; and who was, like her husband, of pure English stock. She remained his devoted companion a period of twenty years, and died about 1835, leaving eleven children; of whom Samuel, our subject, was the sixth in order of birth.

Mr. Roberts first opened his eyes to the light in the vicinity of Land’s End, near Falmouth, Jan. 10, 1823. The eldest son of the family was William, who was born Dec. 1, 1814; he chose a sea-faring life, and after leaving home was lost track of; so that it is not now known whether he is living or dead. The eldest sister, Mary, was born March 16, 1816, was married, and died in England without children. Henry, Jr., came to America, settled in this county, and died in East Galena Township in November, 1883. He was born Dec. 21, 1817, and developed into a very capable farmer and business man, also engaging largely in stock-raising. He married, and became the father of a family. His widow, Mrs. Grace (Rowe) Roberts, is still living, and makes her home in Galena. James was born in England April 2, 1818, accompanied his parents to America, and is now living on a farm in East Galena Township, where he is also prosecuting agriculture and stock-raising to good advantage. Philippa, who was born June 24, 1821, is the wife of Thomas Ingram, a native of England, and for many years captain of a copper mining company in the Lake Superior regions. He died about 1889, and his widow is living in Seattle, Wash. She is the mother of several children. The next child was Samuel, of this sketch. His younger brother, Joseph, was born Oct. 18, 1825, in England, and died in the Lake Superior mining regions in 1852 – a single man. Grace is the widow of Francis Francis, who died in Ferndale, Humboldt Co., Cal. He was a Welshman by birth, and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Francis was born Dec. 21, 1826, and continues to reside on the Pacific Slope. Jane was born in Cornwall County, England, and died in infancy. Thomas M. was born in England July 7, 1829, and operates as purchaser for his brother Samuel. He is married, and lives with his family in Galena. John died in infancy in his native England.

The mother of these children departed this life at her home in Galena, at the early age of thirty-seven years, of consumption. She was a lady of many lovable qualities, for whom her husband and friends entertained the deepest attachment. She devoted herself to the comfort and happiness of her family, and was a conscientious member of the Methodist Church. Henry Roberts, after a time, contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Catherine (Wilmot) Ewing, a lady of English birth and parentage, a native of County Cornwall, and, who by her first marriage, became the mother of three children. Two of these – Thomas and Elizabeth – were married, and died in this county. The surviving child is Benjamin J. Ewing, a blacksmith by trade, who is now living retired at Council Hill. He has a wife, but no children.

Henry Roberts by his second marriage became the father of two more children – John, who died when a young man in California; and Jane, who died at Council Hill, when seven years old. She was born Dec. 1, 1840 – just twenty-five years to a day after the birth of her father’s first child, William. The mother of these children died in Galena in 1858. She was a most worthy and excellent woman, a consistent Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. The father of our subject contracted a third marriage in Dodgeville, Wis., with Mrs. Elizabeth Hooper, who is still living, and makes her home at Dodgeville with the children of her first marriage; she is now quite aged. Henry Roberts was remarkably fortunate in his wives, this last-mentioned lady being the compeer of the others in goodness. Mr. Roberts died at his home in Galena on the 8th of August, 1871. He was a man of sterling integrity, upright in his business transactions, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he had officiated as Trustee, and occupied other positions of responsibility. He became identified with his church in his native England, being one of the first to assist in the organization of a society near the place of his birth. He carried on agricultural pursuits there, as in America; although, after coming to this country, he was considerably interested in mining. He lived to see many of his children grow up around him worthy and prosperous citizens, and comfortably settled in good homes. When first coming to this country he identified himself with the old Whig party, and after its abandonment gave his cordial support to Republican principles.

Samuel Roberts was a young man of twenty years when he crossed the Atlantic with his father. He has since made his home in Galena, and become thoroughly identified with its best interests. His marriage with Miss Mary Symons was celebrated in Elizabeth Township, this county, May 1, 1847. Mrs. Roberts is likewise a native of Cornwall County, England, and was born March 1, 1830, to John and Mary (Ingram) Symons, who were natives of Cornwall County, and of pure English stock. They represented the moral worth and respectability of their community. They emigrated in 1840 and first took up their residence in the vicinity of Hazel Green, Grant Co., Wis., whence they removed later to a farm on Apple River, in this county, where they lived half a dozen years, and then removed to Dodgeville, Wis., where their decease took place.

Mrs. Mary (Symons) Roberts was ten years of age when her parents came to America, and she completed her education in this State and Wisconsin. Her union with our subject was blest by the birth of fourteen children, six of whom are deceased, namely: John H., William, Clara 1st, Clara 2d, Ella, and an infant unnamed. The survivors are recorded as follows: Mary is the wife of P. D. McGough, and they are residents of Dillon, Mont. Mr. McGough was for eight years Clerk of Beaverhead County. Philippa is the wife of J. H. Delaney, and they live in Waco, Tex., where Mr. Delaney is occupied as a butcher. Catherine (Mrs. Alfred Childs) is a resident of East Galena Township; Mr. Childs being the book-keeper for the lumberman, D. A. Taylor. Sarah G. married William Reed, and they reside in Clay Centre, Kan. Addie is the widow of John Pugsley, and the mother of one child; she makes her home in Galena. Frank S. remains at home, assisting his father; Mildred and William H. also continue under the parental roof. The children of our subject and his estimable wife are more than usually bright and intelligent, and have been given a good education. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Roberts, socially, belongs to Wildey Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., and Lead Mine Encampment, I. O. O. F. Politically, he votes with the Republican party.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889) Pg 523-525