John Owen Roberts
John Owen Roberts (1862-1935) of Roberts Brothers of Gloucester, toy makers
1862 November 1st. Born in Bristol the son of Richard Roberts, Superintendent of Sugar Refinery, and his wife Mary Ann. Brother of Harry Owen Roberts
1888 October 11th. Married at Gloucester to Elizabeth Edith Birt Clark
1911 Living at 91 London Road, Gloucester: John Owen Roberts (age 48 born Bristol), Manufacturer of Indoor Games - Employer. With his wife Elizabeth Edith Birt Roberts (age 47 born Gloucester) and their three children; Edith Alma Roberts (age 21 born Gloucester); John Oscar Roberts (age 17 born Gloucester), Assistant in the business; and Richard Gilbert Roberts (age 14 born Birdwood, Gloucester). Married 22 years with four children of whom three are living. [1]
1935 January 17th. Died at Gloucester. Of Rikenel Park Road, Gloucester. Probate to his wife.
1935 Obituary. 'Gloster's most prominent citizen dead....Mr. Roberts in conjunction with his brother, the late Mr. Harry Owen Roberts (then in the employ of Messrs. Talbot and Co., mineral water manufacturers) was associated with the indoor games trade, putting in all his spare time with his brother, manufacturing goods for one of two large wholesale houses at unpretentious premises in Kimbrose, Southgate-street. With the increase of business, a factory was taken Llanthony road where Mr. Roberts and his brother remained for two years. Later having decided to devote the whole of their energies to the trade, they purchased some three or four acres of land immediately behind St. James' Church, where, at the Glevum Works, as Roberts Brothers, manufacturers and inventors various kinds of indoor games, they succeeded in building up a new industry for the city which during recent years has increased enormously, and which at the present time finds employment for over 500 people. ...[much more]'[2]