My Genealogy Hound

M. L. ROBERTS, a prominent lawyer of Covington, Ky., was born in Boone County, Ky., June 11, 1848, and is the fourth in a family of six children born to William L. and Julia A. (Burton) Roberts. William L. Roberts was born in Jessamine County, Ky., February 27, 1810, and died in Kenton County November 27, 1879. He was a merchant for about thirty years of his life, and was very successful. He was also engaged in farming and stock raising. He was a son of William H. Roberts, who was born in Virginia December 8, 1781. His wife, Sarah (Rickett) Roberts, was born in Maryland October 27, 1781. They were married February 12, 1807. Their union was blessed with seven children: Thomas Rickett Roberts, William L., Daniel B., Elizabeth, Mary Ann, John A. and Phillip L., all of whom are dead except John A. Roberts; Elizabeth (Roberts) Finnell, wife of Jamison H. Finnell. Mrs. Julia A. Roberts was born in Boone County, Ky., a daughter of William A. Burton. M. L. Roberts was reared on the farm, and educated at the common country schools until 1866, when he went to Covington, and attended the select schools for about two and one-half years. He was then engaged in the grocery business in Covington for a while, and in 1869-70 attended the law school at Louisville, Ky., where he graduated in March, 1870. May 10, 1870, he married Lydia A. McGee, of Louisville, and six children have blessed this union, four of whom are living: Alvin M., Clarence McGee, Claude H. and Lena L. Mr. Roberts at once returned to Covington after graduating, opened a law office, and in 1871 was appointed assistant county attorney for four years, giving universal satisfaction; in 1876 he was elected county judge of Kenton County, and in 1878 was elected city attorney. He makes collections a specialty, and prides himself on collecting bad bills. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of H. and also of the Mystic Circle. With his wife he is a member of the Christian Church. As a citizen he is popular, and enjoys the respect of all who know him.