JAMES
F. ROBERTS,
farmer, post-office Kennard, was born April 12, 1840, in
Salem Township.
His father, Robert Roberts, was born June 11,
1793, in the southeastern part of this State, and was there united in the
holy bonds of matrimony to Mary Critchfield.
They came to Salem Township, Mercer County, in 1818, and purchased a
portion of the Bishop Roberts tract, on which
they settled. For several years he was in the employ of Bishop
Roberts, in conducting business at his grist-mill, and when the
milling business was abandoned, Robert gave his attention to farming,
There were thirteen children born to them, all of whom grew to maturity,
and were all, excepting one, the heads of families, viz.: John,
lives in Wisconsin; Joanna, wife of Mr.
Tiffany; Phoebe, deceased; Martha,
deceased; William C., deceased; Mary,
deceased; Sarah, wife of
Mr. Cook, of Washington Territory; Susan, wife
of N. Kline, of Wisconsin; Robert,
deceased; Jane, widow of J.
Partridge; Charlotte, wife of Thomas Rhoades,
of Salem Township; James F.; Emily,
deceased. In politics Robert was a
Whig, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist-Episcopal Church. Robert
died July 22, 1844, in his fifty-second year. His widow died January 80,
1879, in her eighty-fifth year. She spent the latter years of her life
with her son, James F., on the homestead on
which she first settled. James F. was reared
by his widowed mother and educated at the common schools. He was married
February 18, 1863, to Susan, daughter of Isaac
and Elizabeth (White) Mackey, of Sandy Creek Township. They located
on the paternal homestead, and purchased the interests of the heirs. There
were seven children born to them: Sophia, William,
John, Nettie, Milton, Sherman, Hattie. In politics Mr. Roberts is a
Republican. He and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
History
of Mercer County,
1888, page 1135
