Isaac Martin Roberts

Biography

Isaac Martin “Ike” Roberts was a longtime engineer whose career spanned nearly six decades and is best remembered as the longtime engineer of the Roswell Railroad.

Born in Gaston County, North Carolina, on Feb. 28, 1853, Roberts left home at age 19 and walked 45 miles to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he found work on a construction gang building the Atlanta and Charlotte Air-Line, later part of Southern Railway’s Charlotte Division.

After the line was completed, Roberts began railroad service as a “wood passer,” then worked as a fireman on freight trains between Atlanta and Charlotte. After three years, he was promoted to engineer. Over his 58 years of continuous service, Roberts operated everything from early wood-burning locomotives to modern steam engines.

Roberts also played a role in the history of the Roswell Railroad. He helped construct the line and, after its completion, piloted engines over the railroad from 1881 until its discontinuance in 1921. On the Roswell line, he served as both engineer and conductor, remembered for helping passengers on and off the train with their bundles and for being well known along the route.

From 1921 until his death in 1930, Roberts operated the “Air-Line Belle” on daily runs between Atlanta and Toccoa. According to The Atlanta Journal, he had a remarkable safety record, with no engine he operated during his 58 years of service ever involved in a major accident.

Roberts lived in Roswell with his family and died at age 77 after collapsing at Atlanta’s Terminal Station. His funeral was held at Roswell Presbyterian Church, with burial in the Presbyterian Cemetery.