My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM THOMAS ROBERTS, one of the substantial and well-to-do agriculturists of Johnson County, is the owner of a magnificent estate located on section 20, township 44, range 27. He is a native of Virginia, and was born in Bedford County, October 26, 1827, to Benjamin and Susan (Grissom) Roberts. The parents emigrated to Adair County, Ky., when William, of this sketch, was a lad of eight years. There he was reared to man’s estate on his father’s farm, in the mean time having acquired a fair education in the schools of the district.

Benjamin Roberts, besides cultivating land of his own in the Old Dominion, hired out as an overseer on the estates of others, and in this way derived a good income. He became the father of nine children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth, and two died in infancy. Seven lived to have families of their own, but only three now survive. The two besides our subject still make their home in the Blue Grass State.

The subject of this sketch being the eldest son of the family, he was obliged to work very hard for his father until attaining his majority when he began the battle of life on his own account. His first situation brought him $6 per month, and during the year in which he was thus employed he lost but three days, Christmas, election and muster days. He was very economical, and although his wages were small, managed to save a small amount each month. The following year he began working in a wagon and blacksmith shop, but continued this only one year, when he was variously employed in Greene County, Ill., where he was taken sick, later returning to his home in Kentucky.

In 1852 our subject went to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he worked for $15 per month on a farm. In the fall, however, he was again obliged to return home on account of ill-health, and after recovering, followed farming in the Blue Grass State until 1854. September 4 of that year he was married to Miss Louisa Wilmore, of Adair County, Ky., where her birth occurred November 18, 1832. Her parents were James H. and Permelia (Sled) Wilmore, natives of Virginia. For one year Mr. and Mrs. Roberts remained in Kentucky, where their eldest child, William Adolphus, was born. In 1855 they drove to Johnson County with a party of emigrants, and on arriving here Mr. Roberts purchased a claim of eighty acres, which he afterwards entered from the Government. This he resided upon until 1858, when he disposed of it and returned to Kentucky on a visit. At the end of a few months he was perfectly content to make his future home in this state, and accordingly, in 1859, returned hither and became the proprietor of one hundred and eighty acres where he now resides. The land was in a wild state when he took possession of it, but being energetic and ambitious he cleared and cultivated it, and now owns one of the best improved tracts in the township. To this he has added from time to time until now his possessions aggregate three hundred and twenty acres. The place is adorned with a good residence, suitable barns and outbuildings and all the machinery and stock found on a first-class place.

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, we make the following mention: William Adolphus, born June 29, 1855, died in 1856; Laura Permelia, born May 2, 1857, married J. W. Moore, and makes her home on a farm in Chilhowee Township; Junius E., born March 8, 1860, married Miss Dora Wall, and makes his home in Rose Hill Township; Susan T., born November 4, 1862, married William Stimpson, and died in Collin County, Tex., in 1883; John Milton, born March 25, 1864, married Miss Cora Harris, and is living on a portion of his father’s farm; Sarah L. was born December 29, 1868, and died April 29, 1892; George was born January 22, 1875, and is still at home with his parents.

During the Civil War Mr. Roberts’ sympathies were strongly in favor of the South, although he stayed at home. His property was often appropriated by the soldiers on both sides, but as he was unable to resist them, he was obliged to submit, and did so quietly. He cast his first vote for a Democratic candidate in 1848, and has supported the principles of that party ever since. During the Mexican War it was his desire to enlist, but his father objected, and as he was under age he was thus prevented from going to the seat of the conflict.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, together with most of their sons and daughters, are members in excellent standing of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are active workers in the congregation which they attend, Mr. Roberts serving as Deacon.

In the year 1877 our subject rented his property, and going to Collin County, Tex., there lived for two years, but being dissatisfied with the outlook returned to Missouri, which has been the scene of his operations ever since. He is widely and favorably known and is regarded as one of the progressive and successful agriculturists of the section.