John Roberts

OLD SETTLER GONE
JOHN ROBERTS' DEATH STRUGGLE

Friday evening just before 8 o'clock occurred a death scene that sent a thrill through our community and spread a pall over a household. It was the inexpressibly and sudden death of John Roberts who has lived under such difficulties due to cancer of the throat for the past year and especially so since last June when an operation was performed to prolong his life since which he has respired through an artificial tube inserted into the trachea at the neck thus loosing the power of speech entirely, though reasonably well and cheerful with all.
Friday evening the tube was being cleaned preparatory for the night when something got into it and gave him considerable trouble and in his efforts to expel the foreign substance he pulled off the outer end of the tube and by inhaling drew the lower portion of the tube into the lungs which produced death in a few minutes, but these were terrible moments; in his struggle for breath -- for life -- he tore at his throat stripping clothing, garment after garment, until the struggle ended in death. This was a heart rending scene and the bereft wife is almost prostrated.
While his life was uncertain, yet each was so sudden and unexpected that the family was scattered but telegrams soon gathered them to the saddened home to attend the last sad rites of him who had endured so much for them.
The funeral was held at the Cong'l church, Sunday; Rev. J. H. Renualls officiating; following which the remains were buried in the Roberts cemetery, all the children being present.
John Roberts was born in Sussix county, England, March 23, 1835 and died at his home in Roberts, Friday November 12th 1897, aged 62 years, 7 months, and 19 days.
He came to America to visit a relative in 1859 making the voyage of two months length and soon established as a farmer south of town where he resided till seven years ago when he moved to Roberts where he has since resided.
On October 2nd 1861 he was united in marriage to Lucy H. Pettit to which union twelve children were born, all except two, Ester and Leonard, survive him. Those living are Robert T., of LaHarpe, Ill.; Francis E. Ebert, of this place; William H., of Piper City; Herbert E., of Buckley; Geo. T., of Washington; Charlotte Coultas, of Hoopeston and Emma J., Charles J., Jessie W. and Edward O., who reside at home.
Mr. Roberts was member of the village board for five years prior to and at the time of his death and in honor of his official career that body served as pall bearers.

-- Melvin Transcript. 19 November 1897.