JOSEPH S. ROBERTS. Among the men who are ambitious, not only for their own success but also for the prosperity and progress of the community in which they live, we are proud to mention the name which appears at the head of this paragraph, a man who was born in Moultrie County, and has made it his home throughout his life and who feels that its welfare is identical with that of himself and his family.

Thomas A. Roberts, the father of our subject was a Marylander, born May 4, 1822, and, his mother was Lovicy G. Hendricks, who was born in Kentucky, August 13, 1833. This excellent couple were united in Moultrie County and made their home in East Nelson Township, where they lived in domestic happiness and prosperity until 1860, when they removed to Whitley Township, where the faithful wife passed from earth April 29, 1868. The bereaved husband died in Shelby County, November 11, 1883. They had three children, of whom their son Joseph is the eldest.

He of whom we write was born June 22, 1854, in East Nelson Township. He resided in Moultrie County throughout all his youth and manhood and was educated in the common schools of Whitley. His happy marriage took place October 30, 1879, in Whitley Township, at the residence of W. H. Garrett, Cynthia R., the daughter of this gentleman being the bride. For further details in regard to this prominent family, into which our subject married our readers will please consult the sketch of W. H. Garrett on another page of this Record.

At the time of her marriage Mrs. Roberts was a lovely young woman of nineteen, as she was born in Whitley Township, August 5, 1860. She cheerfully and efficiently undertook the responsibilities of a home and became the happy mother of eight children, namely: Carrie L., Europe H., Mabel, John F., Roy, Pearl, Clarence and Edith. All are living except John and Roy who are passed to the better world.

After marriage this wedded pair set up their household goods in Whitley Township, locating on section 4. There they now own a beautiful estate of two hundred and nineteen acres, and upon this tract Mr. Roberts has successfully carried on his agricultural pursuits, devoting himself to general farming. He is an influential man in his community and an earnest worker for the prosperity and supremacy of the Republican party. Both he and his wife are conscientious members of the Christian Church and in its communion and service they find spiritual strength and an abundant opportunity for labor. Both of them desire to see Whitley Township rank first in every desirable point among the townships of Moultrie County and are earnest promoters of every movement which tends to its progress, socially and industrially.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 634

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