Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Jonathan Roberts

The specific history of the west was made by the pioneers; it was emblazoned on the forest trees by the strength of sturdy arms and gleaming ax, and written on the surface of the earth by the track of the primitive plow. These were strong men and true who came to found the empire of the west these hardy settlers who builded their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan wilds evolved the fertile and productive fields which have these many years been furrowed and refurrowed by the plowshare. The red man, in his motly garb, stalked through the dim, woody avenues, and the wild beasts disputed his dominion. The trackless prairie was made to yield its tribute under the effective endeavors of the pioneer, and slowly but surely were laid the steadfast foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent superstructure of an opulent and enlightened commonwealth. To establish a home amid such surroundings, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All those were characteristics of these pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil.

The Roberts family was one of the first to locate in Wayne county, and Jonathan Roberts, only three years of age at the time of their arrival, is therefore numbered among the honored pioneers who have not only witnessed the remarkable growth and transformation of the region, but have been important factors in its progress and advancement. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, May 30, 1808, his parents being Thomas and Ann. (Whitson) Roberts. The father was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1759, and was a son of Walter Roberts, who was a native of the same county and was of Welsh descent. He removed with his family to South Carolina, and after attaining his majority Thomas Roberts was married in that state to Ann Whitson, who was a native of Long Island. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom were born in South Carolina, with the exception of our subject. In 1806 they removed with their family to Preble county, Ohio, and the same year Thomas Roberts came to Wayne county, where he entered a quarter-section of wild government land, and in March, 1811, with his wife and seven children, moved onto the place. One of his daughters had married previously to that date. The father had erected a small log cabin in the woods at what is now the northeast corner of South Thirteenth and A streets and began the development of his farm, all of which is now within the corporation limits of the city. He first cleared a small patch of ground, fenced it in with brush and planted it with turnips. The only people then living in Richmond were Jeremiah Cox and John Smith, who had previously entered land now included within the corporate limits of the city. In 1812 Thomas Roberts built a hewed-log house on his farm, one of the best residences in this section of the country, and for many years it stood as one of the landmarks of the region, indicating the onward march of progress.

For about thirty years Thomas Roberts lived upon his farm, and was then called to the home beyond, September 25, 1840, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife survived him only a few days, passing away on the 28th of October of the same year. Both were members of the Society of Friends. Their children were Rebecca, who became the wife of Nathan Hawkins, but both are now deceased; Walter, who died in Dover, Wayne county; David, who died in Richmond; Phoebe, who became the wife of Henry Hawkins and is now deceased, as is her husband: Sarah, wife of William Whitacre; Thomas and Solomon W., who also have passed away; and Jonathan, who is the only survivor of the family.

Jonathan Roberts was reared under the parental roof and in the midst of the wild scenes of pioneer life, and early began to perform his share in the arduous task of clearing and developing a new farm. His education was acquired in the subscription schools, but his advantages in that direction were not very arnple. After entering upon an independent business career he followed farming for some years, and at one time was the owner of a valuable tract of land, eighty acres, and also seven residences in Richmond. He has bought and sold real estate to a considerable extent, and in his transactions has met with a creditable and gratifying success, gaining a comfortable competence that has enabled him to live retired for the past ten years. He is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned, for his business career was one of activity, honesty and usefulness. On the 28th of January, 1831, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Mary Smith, daughter of Jairus and Aves Smith, who had formerly lived in New York. Four children were born of this union: Aves, wife of W. S. Elliott, a farmer residing near Kokomo, Howard county, Indiana; Eli, who is living with his father, and is engaged in the operation of a farm; Elvira, deceased wife of Josiah Philips; and Henry S., an agriculturist of Wayne township, Wayne county. The mother of this family died August 1, 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years, four months and five days. In his political affiliations in early life Mr. Roberts was a Whig. He has always been a member of the Society of Friends, and has served as elder for twelve years. His father also held the same office in the church and the family has long been connected with the organization.

Mr. Roberts has spent almost his entire life in this county; has seen the introduction of the railroad, the telegraph, the telephone; has watched the transformation of wild land into beautiful homes and farms, while towns and villages have sprung up and have become imbued with all the progress and advancement of the east. In the work of growth and upbuilding he has ever borne his part, has been honorable in business, loyal in friendship, faithful in citizenship, and now in his declining days can look back over the past with little occasion for regret.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899





Jonathan Roberts, youngest son of Thomas and Ann (Whitson) Roberts, was born near West Elkton, Preble Co., Ohio, May 30. 1808. His father was born in Bucks County, Pa., Jan. 8, 1759, a son of Walter Roberts, who was of Welsh descent. After attaining his majority Thomas Roberts settled in South Carolina, where he married Ann Whitson. In 1806 they removed to Preble County, Ohio. The same year he came to Richmond and entered a quarter-section of wild Government land, and in March, 1811, with his wife and seven children, moved on it, one daughter having married previous to that date. Soon after entering the land, in 1806, he erected a rude cabin on the present corner of Thirteenth and South A streets, and cleared away a few forest trees, and cleared a small patch where the house of Marcus Motes now stands, fenced it with brush and planted it with turnips. In 1812 Thomas Roberts built a hewed-log house on the lot which is now used by his son, Jonathan Roberts, as a stable. He died Sept. 25, 1840, and his wife Oct. 28, 1840. They were members of the Society of Friends. They had a family of eight children — Rebecca, wife of Nathan Hawkins, both deceased; Walter, died at Dover, Wayne Co., Ind.; David, died in Richmond; Phoebe, wife of Henry Hawkins, both deceased; Sarah, wife of William Whitacre, now deceased; Thomas, Jr., deceased; Solomon W., deceased, and Jonathan, our subject.

He was but three years of age when his parents came to Indiana, and thus his boyhood days were spent and his education received in this county. He has by observation and application acquired a good fund of general information. He was married Jan. 28, 1831, to Mary, daughter of Jairus and Aves Smith. They have had four children — Aves, wife of W. S. Elliott, of Howard County, Ind.; Eli; Elvira, deceased, wife of Josiah Philips; Henry S., of Wayne Township. Mrs. Roberts was born in Clinton County, N. Y., March 26, 1810. The family are members of the Society of Friends.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2