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M. Roberts, foreman of the locomotive and machinery department of the
Iron Mountain Railroad shops, De Soto, is a native of Philadelphia, 
Penn., and was born September 8, 1852.  He is the third in the family
of eight children, seven of whom are living, born to Elwood W. and
Elizabeth (Davis) Roberts, natives of Philadelphia and of German descent. 

The former, a farmer by occupation, was born in 1827, and has always 

lived in his native State, and the latter was born in 1828. M. Roberts 

was educated in the public schools of his native city, and served an 

apprenticeship of four years as a machinist, in the Pennsylvania Railroad 

shops, in West Philadelphia.  He then became fireman of a locomotive 

engine on the Pennsylvania Railroad, running from Philadelphia to 

Harrisburg and Philadelphia to Jersey City, for eleven months, and the 

following twenty-two months acted as engineer on the same road. In July, 

1876, he went to St. Louis, and resumed his trade in the Iron Mountain 

Railroad shops, in South St. Louis, where he remained until February, 

1877, when he went to the Black Hills on a prospecting tour, and at that 

place erected the first sawmill. In September of the same year he returned 

to St. Louis, and for two years was engaged as fireman on the Iron Mountain 

Railroad.  In September, 1879, he was promoted to engineer, holding that 

position until September, 1886, when in the absence of the regular traveling 

engineer, Mr. Mercer, our subject was promoted to that position.  Mr. Mercer 

returning in June, in July Mr. Roberts was appointed foreman of the shops at
De Soto, which position he still holds, to the universal satisfaction of his 

employers.  July 27, 1887, he was sent to Rome, N. Y., as inspector of the 

twenty locomotives being built there for the Gould railroad system. December 

29, 1881, Mr. Roberts married Miss Cora L., daughter of Daniel and Kate Taylor, 

and a native of Pierce County, Wis. Mr. Roberts is a Republican in politics, 

a member of the Masonic order, the A. O. U. W., and Brotherhood of Locomotive 

Engineers.  Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Catholic Church.