Fred Macon Roberts was born in Middletown, Connecticut in 1854. He came to Winston-Salem about 1889 with his family.
Roberts worked as a clerk in the Forsyth Sporting Goods Company, then he opened Roberts Hardware and Sporting Goods Company about 1908 at 431 North Liberty Street. His sons, Howard and Fred Jr., joined him in running the business.
The business moved to a new three-story building at 445 North Liberty Street about 1918. The store was involved in retail and wholesale trade, handling all kinds of hardware, tinware, guns, rifles, revolvers, fishing tackle, bicycles and sundries, sporting goods, cutlery, and glass.
Fred and his son, Howard, visited farmers’ meetings in various counties and gave exhibitions of clay pigeon shooting.
Fred died in 1919, and was preceded in death by his wife and son, Howard. After Fred’s death, his household goods and personal effects were sold at auction. One of the items for sale was a five-passenger Hupmobile, listed in “first class condition.”
Roberts Hardware continued to operate in the city until about 1933, at which time there were three store locations.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
