William Roberts (c1825-1891)
William Roberts (c1825-1891) of Roberts, Jowlings and Co and Strachan and Co
Born the son of John Roberts, a cloth worker and his wife Rebecca
1851 Residing at Watledge, Minchinhampton: William Roberts (age 26 born Minchinhampton), Manager of Cloth Company. With his wife Martha and son Albin J. Roberts (age 4 born Minchinhampton).[1]
1868 Left Roberts, Jowlings and Co
1871 Residing at Downfield House, Stroud: William Roberts (age 46 born Minchinhampton), Woollen Cloth Manufacturer. With his wife Martha, son James A. Roberts (age 23 born Horsley), Woollen Cloth Manufacturer, and daughter Blanche.[2]
1877 Partner in Strachan and Co
1881 Residing at Downfield House, Stroud: William Roberts (age 56 born Nailsworth), Woollen Cloth Manufacturer. With his wife Martha and daughter Blanche.[3]
1891 Residing at Downfield House, Stroud: William Roberts (age 66 born Nailsworth), Woollen Cloth Manufacturer (and employer). With his wife Martha and daughter Blanche.[4]
1891 December 28th. Died at Downfield House, age 65.[5]
1892 Obituary.[6]
It is with sincere regret that we, this week, record the death of Mr William Roberts, one of the partners of Messrs Strachan and Co. The announcement will be received with mingled feelings of surprise and sorrow, for it seems hardly credible that a gentleman of his cheery and robust disposition, so lately pursuing his active vocation, can have passed away. Yet such is the fact, that the dread enemy, influenza, combined with a severe bronchial affection, has claimed him as one of its victims. Though he has not during the past year or two been so actively employed in the newly constituted company of Strachan and Co. he was daily in attendance at the Mills up to within ten days of his death, and when on Monday last the tidings of his decease were spread, incredulity had to give place to a universal feeling of regret.
In early life he was in business with his father, the late Mr John Roberts, at Holcombe Mills, near Nailsworth. For some years a small but prosperous business was maintained. During the fifties it was found necessary to remove to more extensive premises, and Lightpill Mills were built and entered upon in conjunction with the late Mr Jowlings, under the style of Jowlings and Company.
Here Mr William Roberts remained till 1857, when the lamentable death of Mr Josiah Strachan occurred ; and Mr Strachan, who had recently purchased the large cloth mills at Lodgemore and Fromehall from the late Capt. Hunt's executors, was seeking assistance and practical help, and induced Mr Roberts to leave the homestead, and join him at Lodgemore. Since that time much prosperity has attended the firm of Strachan and Company, and Mr Roberts's familiar figure will long be remembered by those who passed up and down the Cainscross Road, or who casually saw him on his way to and from his business. His orderly, methodical disposition and great experience contributed in no small degree to the success of the concern in recent years.
Latterly he joined the re-constructed company of Strachan and Company, Limited, as one of the managing directors, and by his co-directors his loss is sincerely and deeply mourned. Although a staunch Liberal in politics, Mr Roberts never allowed his bias to interfere with the prompting of his generous private friendships, and consequently he was deservedly respected by both political parties.
The funeral took place this afternoon at Cainscross Church, when the large attendance of personal friends proved the deep respect felt towards one who by indomitable energy and foresight has helped in no small degree in building up and maintaining the staple industry of Stroud, and creating for it a name of world renown.