May 12, 1938

Roberts Funeral Is Held Friday

Attended by a large number of friends and relatives from Blair and elsewhere, funeral services for J. S. Roberts, 75, who died at his home last Wednesday, were held Friday afternoon at the family residence, 605 west Lincoln street. Chairs were placed on the lawn to accommodate part of the throng.

The Rev. C. E. Hamilton of the Baptist church had charge of the services. Pallbearers were Ed Matthiesen, Carl Schmidt, J. Harold Stewart, D. R. T. Jipp, A. R. Beales and Carl Kolterman. Interment was in Blair cemetery. Obituary #2

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James S. Roberts Dies Wednesday

Former Mayor, President B. & L. Ass’n. Councilman, on Park Board

James S. Roberts, well known citizen of Blair and a resident here since 1888, passed away suddenly at his home on West Lincoln street last Wednesday morning at 8:30 o’clock. He had been in poor health for a number of years and while his sudden death was a shock to the family and community the end was not unexpected.

He was born in Bristol, Virginia, August 13, 1862, and when twenty-one years of age came to Blair where he has since made his home. On October 25th, of 1883 he was married to Virginia Epling and to them four children were born, Mrs. Mark Beaty, Howard and Beulah, all of Blair and Charles of St. Paul, Minnesota who with the wife are grief stricken. Besides these he leaves six grandchildren and a sister Mrs. M. Stewart, of Bristol, Virginia.

Mr. Roberts has been an outstanding citizen and has been honored by the confidence of his fellow citizens with a number of positions of trust which he has filled with ability and a credit to himself.

In 1919 he served as mayor of Blair, he also for a long term of years served as president of the Blair Building & Loan Association. He also served as councilman for a number of years and a member of the Blair park board.

He was an active member of the I.O.O.F. lodge and of the Modern Woodmen.

The funeral rites will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. from the home with Rev. Hamilton of the Baptist church in charge and interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

Obituary #3

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J. S. Roberts Is Dead At 75; Once Mayor Of Blair

Long Prominent in City Affairs, He Died at Home Yesterday

Funeral Services Are Set For Friday

Ex-Councilman and Park Board Member; As Water Commissioner, Installed First Meter System Here; Building & Loan Director

J. S. “Jim” Roberts, 75, former mayor of Blair and for many years prominently identified with municipal affairs before ill health forced him to relinquish his activities, died early yesterday morning at his home, 605 west Lincoln street. Death followed a stroke.

Although he had not been in good health for some time, his passing came unexpectedly. Only Monday evening he had attended a meeting of the Blair Building & Loan association, of which he was a director and past president. Tuesday he had been seen in the business section.

Mr. Roberts was born August 13, 1862, at Bristol, Virginia, and came to Blair September 1, 1883. He was married here October 25 of that year to Miss Virginia Epling, who had also just arrived from Bristol. The couple had a home built in what was then a cornfield in the north edge of Blair, but is now the block in which the Danish Lutheran church is located.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts observed their 50th wedding anniversary October 25, 1933, at their home with a quiet family observance.

Until he retired in 1928, Mr. Roberts took an active part in numerous business and civic affairs. For a time he served as city water commissioner and supervised the installation of the first water meter system in Blair. In 1918, while he was serving as mayor, bonds were voted for the first sewer system.

First elected as a city councilman in 1894, Mr. Roberts was said to have served under more mayors than any other man in Blair. His most recent terms had been as a representative of the second ward.

For many years Mr. Roberts has been intensely interested in affairs of the Blair Building & Loan association. He rarely missed meetings of the organization.

He was a member of the city park commission for a number of years, being relieved recently because of his poor health.

He belonged to the I.O.O.F. and Modern Woodmen lodges.

Surviving Mr. Roberts are his wife, two sons, Howard of Blair and Charles of St. Paul, Minnesota; and two daughters, Mrs. E. M. Beaty and Miss Beulah, both of Blair. There are six grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. M. Stewart of Bristol also survives.

The body was removed to the Bendorf Funeral Home. Services will be held at the Roberts residence at 2 p.m. Friday, the Rev. Charles E. Hamilton of First Baptist church officiating. Interment will follow in Blair cemetery. Note: Name Jim S. Roberts; born 13 Aug 1862; died 4 May 1938; Find a Grave #118167894

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~