Windham

ROBERTS, Elbert James

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 338

Elbert James ROBERTS, of Jacksonville [Windham County, Vermont], was born 09 
May 1866 in Whitingham [Windham County, Vermont], son of Benjamin Franklin 
and Corsanda (BROWN) ROBERTS. He belongs to a family of purest New England 
stock, and been long and honorably connected with the town, being a great 
grandson of the Hon. James ROBERTS, who was one of its original settlers. He 
acquired his education in the schools of Jacksonville, and three years 
attendance at Arms Academy, Shelburne Falls [Franklin County], Massachusetts. 
For a while after leaving this institution he taught school, but soon 
entered the employment of W. A. BROWN as a clerk in his store at 
Jacksonville. In the fall of 1889 Mr. ROBERTS started for himself, 
purchasing the PORTER grist and saw mill, where he has done a prosperous and 
flourishing trade. To this occupation he has added a widely spread traffic 
in fertilizers, all kinds of farming implements and machinery, and also 
conducts a large business in vehicles and a livery stable. He is, besides, a 
speculator to a considerable extent in wool and all kinds of livestock. He 
belongs to the Universalist church; and has joined the Masonic fraternity, 
being an active member of Unity Lodge No. 89, of Jacksonville. Mr. ROBERTS 
is an active Democrat and most loyal to his party; he takes a very active 
interest in all village, town and county affairs; for three years has been 
first constable of his town, and has acted as treasurer of the North River 
Manufacturing Company. On 11 March 1891 he [Elbert James ROBERTS] married 
Clara, daughter of J. W. SAWYER of Sadawga. [Sadawga was, from about 1861 to 
1882, the name of a post office in the town of Whitingham, Windham County, 
Vermont; a lake in this area still bears the name Sadawga.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly