My Genealogy Hound

ERASTUS S. ROBERTS, a well known business man of Seneca Falls, is senior member of the firm of Roberts & Briggs, proprietors of the New York Mills, and manufacturers of flour and feed. The family of which he is a member was first represented in this state by his grandfather, Nathaniel Roberts, who came from Connecticut to Oneida County in the early part of the year 1800. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and drew a pension for that service during the latter part of his life.

Daniel Roberts, father of our subject, was a native of Oneida County, where he was reared to manhood and married to Ruth Shepard. In an early day he brought his family to Waterloo, and engaged in farming and other branches of business. In that place his death occurred in 1850, and his wife also died in that village. Our subject was born in Oneida County, September 17, 1818, grew to manhood on his father’s farm and in the village of Waterloo.

After starting out for himself, Mr. Roberts engaged in the shoe business until the California gold fever carried him to the foot hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He left New York February 5, 1849, going via the Isthmus of Panama, which was crossed on foot, reaching San Francisco June 5, after a four-months tedious and expensive journey, which only those fortunately situated then dared to undertake. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the army of gold-seekers which came later, and played a part in many of the stirring scenes in California’s pioneer history. He was intimately connected with the discovery and early workings in portions of the state, such as the Yuba and Feather River Districts, which have since become famous the world over for their production of treasure, and in such workings he became acquainted or worked with many pioneers, like Denver and Fremont, who have become prominent in the history of California or the nation.

In October, 1851, Mr. Roberts returned to New York, but in 1852 again sought the Pacific Coast, where he remained until October, 1855. In 1856 he came to Seneca Falls, where he has since been engaged in the milling business. At first a member of the firm of Southwell & Roberts, in 1860 he and George H. Briggs jointly purchased Mr. Southwell’s interest, and the business has since been carried on under the firm name of Roberts & Briggs. The mill is regarded as one of the best in the county, and much of the credit for its reputation is due Mr. Roberts. He has, for many years, been a Trustee in the Seneca Falls Savings Bank.

While never identified with local politics, Mr. Roberts gives his support to the Republican party, and to all measures for the advancement of the village. In Fayette, in 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of John Markel. They have one son, Willis M., of Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. Roberts is a native of Seneca County, has spent her entire life here, is highly respected in social circles, and is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.