Caroline Tramdberg Johnson

Caroline Antoinette Tramdberg, daughter of Christian Tramdberg and Catherine (Beck) Tranmdberg, was born at Bornholm, Denmark, February 15, 1840, and departed this life at her home in Roberts, Illinois, Monday, March 13, 1922, aged 82 years and 26 days.
For twenty-five years she lived in her home town and then on Tuesday, May 2, 1865, she was united in marriage to James M. Johnson and they began their honeymoon trip to America. They first settled in Washington County, Illinois, where they lived until 1871 when they came to Ford County which has been her home for 51 years. For many years they lived on a farm north of Melvin but several years ago they purchased a home in Roberts and were preparing to move to it when Mr. Johnson met with an accident that cost him his life. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter Miss Mae then moved to the new home and have lived here since.
For the past five years the deceased has been an invalid and has been confined to the house most of this time. She suffered from a fall and has been a constant sufferer for all these years.
She was a member of the Roberts Congregational Church and was an earnest and enthusiastic worker in all the departments of church activities although it was seldom she enjoyed the privileges of attending church services. She was a patient sufferer and a faithful friend to those who knew her best. Only a few weeks ago the Ladies Aid of the Church sent her many remembrances of her 82nd birthday. She was the oldest member of the Roberts Branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and was always faithful in her allegiance to that cause.
Mrs. Johnson leaves to mourn her death two daughters, Mrs. Denji J. Nelson of Glenn Ellyn, Illinois, and Mrs. Mae Christopherson of Roberts. Also two grandchildren. Besides these relatives she leaves a host of friends who join the family in sorrow.
The funeral service was held at the home Thursday afternoon, March 16th, Rev. William Hainsworth officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Melvin Cemetery.

-- Roberts Herald.  22 March 1922.

Roberts Hotel

J. B. Eno

J. B. Eno, for over fifty years a teacher in Northeastern Illinois schools, died at 2:30 yesterday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. F.F. Butzow, 912 N. Main street. He was 95 years old. Until two months ago, when he began to weaken rapidly, he had been in good health. He came to Bloomington a year ago to make his home with his daughter and his grandson, Frank E. Butzow, a reporter for the Pantagraph. the body will be taken to Watseka, Ill., where burial will be made.
Jeremiah Bidwell Eno was born November 25, 1836 (?), at Simsbury (?), Conn., the son of a Yankee school teacher whose father fought in the Revolutionary War. He attended Yale College for a short time and then began his career as a school teacher. After teaching in Connecticut and New York schools for several years he came to Illinois and followed his profession in this state for over half a century.
During most of his years in Illinois Mr. Eno resided in Iroquois County, principally at Watseka. His second wife died in 1903 (?). In recent years he made his home with Mrs. Butzow and a daughter, Mrs. M. M. Case of Union, Illinois.
Mr. Eno devoted much of his spare time to horticulture and when possible had a garden for his summer recreation and experiments. He was sturdy and athletic and a keen sportsman, making frequent hunting and fishing trips until he was nearly 90 years old. Swimming was one of this favorite sports and during his later life   he took great pride in his ability as a swimmer. He retained his faculties to a remarkable extent to the end of his life. He never wore glasses.
During the later years of his life Mr. Eno made frequent trips to his old home in Connecticut  and New York. He was the last member of a prominent New England family.
Until late years, when he became more independent in his politics, Mr. Eno was a Democrat. He was a Mason for over seventy years and a member of the Congregational church.
Mr. Eno leaves three daughters, Mrs. Butzow, Mrs. Case and Mrs. F. B. Coleman,Waterloo, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Frank E., Ernest H., and Katherine Butzow, ?13 North Main street; Louise and Horace Coleman, Waterloo, Iowa; Mrs. Robert Coleman, Detroit Mich., and five great grandchildren. --Bloomington Pantagraph.
Mr. Eno was one of the members of the colony which made the "Connecticut Settlement" in Lyman Township in 1857. He was the last of the original members of that colony to pass away. When these people came here they took up a tract of 7,000 acres. Mr. Eno's farm was the one now occupied by Charles (?) Brown.

--Roberts Herald. 24 March 1920.

Congregational Church, Roberts, Ill.

The Roberts Congregational Church was organized October 24, 1875 with ten members. They were Frank Butler, W.S. Larkin, Elizabeth Larkin, Lucy Larkin, John Hummel, Sarah Hummel, G.H. and M.W. Thompson, A.D. Wycoff. Church services were first held in a schoolhouse and later in the town hall.
Rev. R. Weage was the first pastor. Since the Roberts Church was an offspring from the Thawville Church, the first fourteen years the churches had the minister together.
On December 9, 1879 the church was incorporated and a building 40' by 55' was begun. The building was completed in 1880 and dedicated free from debt May 16 of that year. The dedication sermon was delivered by Rev. James Tompkins. In December 1880 the Sabbath School was organized.
Rev. Weage was followed by Rev. Brobst. It was during the the time Rev. Brobst was here that the church was built. Rev. Brobst was followed by Rev. J.B. Johnson. He held the first revival services and many new members were added to the church.
Rev. W. Wilson was a small man and full of energy. One winter day with snow several feet deep, he walked from Thawville to Roberts in the morning to hold services and in the afternoon on his way back stopped at the Woodward home to preach a funeral service.
In 1894 Rev. Richardson came here from Iowa. He had not finished school but said he was called to G.P.C. "Go Preach Christ" but some of his critics said it probably meant to "Go Plant Corn."
In 1897 Rev. J.H. Runnals came and served the church for four years.
In July new manuals and rules were adopted. The first two rules were (1) that services should be held twice each Sunday, morning and evening, a prayer meeting be held each Tuesday; (2) any member who was absent from the meetings of the church for one year and failed to reply to the official letter of the clerk, shall be liable to have fellowship withdrawn. In 1898 four members were dropped.
It was decided an incidental collection should be taken at each morning and evening service. In 1897, $776 was raised in this way. The average attendance in 1898 was 60 for the morning service, 74 for evening and prayer meeting, 11.
In 1890 the bell was purchased from a church at Ludlow. Chris Anderson and F.G. Lohman brought it to Roberts. The steeple was built the same year and dedicated, free from debt, having paid for it by giving entertainment in the Old National Hall. It cost $1 per foot, 75 feet -- $75. In 1907 the sanctuary to the south was added.
Stained glass windows were put in this part in 1914, by the H.M. Hooker Co. from Springfield, Illinois. In 1948 the basement was enlarged and finished.
Due to mergers the church has had four names, The First Congregational Church 1875-1932, The Congregational Church 1932-1961, United Church of Christ 1961-1979, The Congregational Christian Church 1979.

-- History of Ford County Illinois 1985. Page 74.