People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — CHARLES A. ROBERTS. [ARTICLE]

CHARLES A. ROBERTS.

The above well known citizen of Rensselaer has done much for his town by the improvement of the several properties which he has purchased with the earnings of a busy and useful life. He is notv living on the corner of Cullen and Washington streets on premises purchased about one year ago. which he lias transformed into a very comfortable and pleasant home, and erected on the rear of the same lots a suitable Building for the handling of farm implements, to which business he is well adapted, and will undoubtedly be successful, as he has a large and valuable acquaintance. Mr. itoberts lias been a resident of Rensselaer since the fall of 1873. He is a blacksmith by trade, having learned that business under the instruction of Jesse Hoff, an able smith in liis day. who occupied a log shop opposite the present site of Hemphi 1 s shop on Front street. Vas in the employ of Norman Warner foi a year, then formed a partnership with Janies Shindler and Mr. Warner letiied from the blacksmithing business. Shindler & Roberts continued in the place where Mr. Warner had toiled so many years, until Mr. Shindler retired and settled on his farm on “Two Mile Prairie." The a followed the firm of Roberts Brothers for nine years of hard work, when and his bother Lmiis F., retired from that wearing labor. Tlie subject of this sketch was then engaged in the farm implement trade and finally erected the long brick building now occupied by Geo. A. Strickfadeivs saloon, where for live years he conducted the finest implement store in northern Indiana. In this business he was verysuccessful but his health failing he sold the business to Hammond Brothers After a short rest Mr. Roberts hit the easiest job of his life by forming a partnership with Mr. Zimmerman in the tailoring business. The contrast between sewing on buttons and shaking the hind paw of a mule was too great and a few months ended this venture, and he is now engaged in his familiar calling at which ho has been so successful in the past, selling farm machinery.