Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-11-04
OBJ TUAR Y
Fred III. Roberta

Roberts notice of whose death was pub
lshed in Mondays Free Press, were held
in Wilmington, Mass, a village situated
eighteen miles from Boston. where Mr..
Roberts lived, Monday morning at 10
o'clock. The great esteem In which Mr..
Roberts was held not only by the solid
business and financial men of Boston. his
business associates and army of en-
ployes, but by his own home folks and
neighbors was attended by the crowds
that thronged in and about the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church wnere the services
were held A special train was run from
Boston which was filled by Apollo Off
Gals and employees and business friends,
while a long procession of automobiles
carried many more. The grief for the
loss OF this great and good man was
touchingly manifest as II each had met
with a personal loss. The mighty tribute
paid in flowers was very impressive. The
service was conducted by the pastor Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church assisted
by the Lotus quartet OF Boston. In the
brief sermon the people were given
little insight into the character Of Mr..
Roberts which was distinguished for the
qualities Of kindness. simplicity and
generosity. splendid accompaniment to
his masterful business ability.
The Boston Transcript of Saturday pub
lished the following outline of his bust
ness career:
Fred II. Roberts. long one Of the fore
most men in the candy manufacturing
trade in'this city. and known through the
country from his long connection with
the confectionery business. died late on
Friday evening at his home in Whining
ton. His death was due to bronchial pneu-
mona. from which he had been Ill for
about week.
Mr.. Roberts. who was in his 65th year.
was born in Berwick. Me-. on July Is. 1856,
and lived as boy and youth in his native
place. where he attended the schools.
He then began his long business career
under his uncle. Joshua Roberts, of
Providence, r. l., who was engaged In
manufacturing candy, Fred Roberts later
came to Boston and entered the employ
of Winthrop NJ. Baker. with whom he
continued in the manufacturing of choco-
lates, for seven or eight years and he
then started in business for himself "a
years ago last April, opening "A factory
in lower Fulton street.
From there nc lRtar removed to
building in Richmond street. His next
change. with n great!y-incre ascd bust
ness was 10 Cross street where q large
building several stories high and we'll
equipped was eFpCteU. IT mas CeeE known
as the mode: factory" Even this large
building was soon "u,zrnwr. and the
-,u.ld'ng was nearly doubled in siza. Mr.
Roberts. In starting Independently in
trade. cid so with the determination Of
making only tho highest grade of goods
and his productions have become known
far and wide as the apollo ChocoIRtes."
The business was incorporated about Is
years ago, az ths ". II. Roberts company,
OF which Mr.. Roberts wax president ard
W. n. Cole. vice. president. The latter
has been associated with Mr.. Roberts
from the time the busl.ess was started.
nearly a quarter OF n century ago.
Othe. business interests IN which Mr.
Roberts was active were his connection
with tho Fred RI. Roberts company Of
cleveland. Ohio, making high grade
chocolates in that city for western dis
tributior, and OF which he was president:
the Massachusetts, Chocolate company.
Roxbury. as Its president. and ne was
vice-prosident and chairman. etc, Of the
board Of directors of tho Vermont Milk
Chocolate company and was treasurer of
the Cox Confectionery company. which
operates Il large factory in East Boston.
Mr. Roberts was president also Of the
Miller Candy company Of this city. He
was n director Of tho New England Man
ufacturing Confectioners' association and
director of the United States Trust
company. He was a member OF the Bos-
ton City club, the New England Confcc-
tlonors club and the Boston Press club.
He belonged to the Masonic order and
was Knight Templar.
In his homo town In Wilmington. Mr..
Roberts had been prominent In civic and
community affairs and he had given gen-
erously toward the support OF public in
terests He was deeply interested also In
the work of the Methodist Episcopal
Church Of Wilmington. in which he took
an active part, and ne presented the
| church with a fine organ.
| He married Miss Alice Albrink. by
whom he is survived. There are also three
! surviving children. Fred H. Roberts, Jr,
/ Phoebe Roberts and Nancy Roberts.