The East Florida Banner Local Department Saturday, January 15th, 1876
Sudden Death of a Prominent Citizen
On going upon the streets early last Wednesday morning we were painfully shocked to hear that Mr. Irby Roberts, one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens, had died suddenly of bilious colic. Mr. R. was subject to attacks from colic and was taken suddenly ill with this disease on Tuesday but was not supposed by his friends or the community to be in danger, but the summons had come and on Tuesday night he breathed his last.
Mr. Roberts came to Ocala many years ago from Georgia and has been actively engaged in business here. He was one of our most prominent landmarks, was an active member of the Methodist Church, and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His devoted and heart-broken wife has the sympathy of our community in her sad bereavement.
The East Florida Banner January 22, 1876 Obituary
IRBY ROBERTS was born in Columbia county, Georgia, November 30th, 1806, and died after a brief illness in Ocala, Florida, on Tuesday night, January 11th, 1876.
Brother Roberts had been a member of the Methodist church for a number of years. He had been actively engaged for some length of time in the mercantile business in Ocala. He was one of our most highly esteemed citizens, and "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." He leaves a wife to mourn his loss, to whom he had been married for forty three years. To her it was a bitter cup to part from one with whom she had spent so many happy days, but her trust is in God, and we know that His grace will be sufficient for her. In the death of Brother Roberts I feel that I have lost a friend. We trust that his end was peace. GEO. C. LEAVEL
Irby Roberts was the son of Jesse Roberts & Mary Fitzgerald married in Columbia, of Meriwether Co Ga & Ocalla Fl
Submitted by - Ms. Gerry Hill GerryInGa@yahoo.com
