As a a young man, Charles S. Roberts was employed as a teller in a the First National Bank, the field alsopursued by his uncle and K. is in, Elbridge Keith, and by his brother-in-law, William Preston.

In 1897, at the age of 29, he formed a partnership with Fred Porter to purchase the Henry Greim Roller works in Chicago. This business was renamed Roberts and Porter and became a full line supplier to the offset printing field. In developing sources of supply, the business provided frequent opportunities for Charles and Grace Roberts to travel to Europe on purchasing expeditions for the prospering business. Fred Porter's partnership interest was acquired in 1910 and the company was incorporated with Roberts as president.

Charles Roberts lived on Calumet Avenue on Chicago's South side. By 1915 the family was living at 5515 Cornell Ave. Here they were members of St. James Methodist church, as were the families of his brother George O. Roberts and his sister Jessie (Roberts) Preston. Charles Roberts served the church in various capacities including Steward and Superintendent of the Sunday School.

A grandson, SSR, remembers him as a person full of life, generous to all, who truly enjoyed himself, his family and the world about him.