Oliver H. P. Roberts

ROBERTS, CLARK, MILLER

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 5/13/2009 at 15:59:00

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 764-765

OLIVER H. P. ROBERTS, a successful
farmer and stock-raiser of Leroy Town-
ship, was born in Lawrenceburg, Dear-
born County, Indiana, February 20, 1829.
He is the oldest son of Moses and Elmira E.
(Clark) Roberts. Eben E. Roberts, the father
of Moses M. Roberts, was born in the State
of Maine, and was a soldier in the war of
1812. Moses M. Roberts was also born in
the State of Maine, and Almira E. Clark, his
wife, was born in Newport, Rhode Island,
and at an early day removed to Dearborn
County, Indiana. She was the daughter of
George Clark, who removed to Cincinnati,
where he was a ship carpenter for many years.
Moses M. Roberts and family removed from
Indiana to Illinois, and settled on a farm in
Henderson County. O. H. P. Roberts was
at this time about twelve years of age. He
received only a common-school education, and
remained on the farm with his parents until
his twenty-fourth year, at which time he
was married to Martha W. Miller, the oldest
daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller.
In the fall of 1866 Mr. Roberts removed
with his family to Audubon County, Iowa,
and settled on a farm in section 1, Leroy
Township, on the east branch of the Nish-
nabotna River. The land was wild, and
neighbors were few and far between. E. J.
Freeman, an old and tried friend, was Mr.
Roberts's most intimate associate, with whom
he passed many happy hours. On first
coming to the State his means were limited,
and there were many hardships to be met,
and many burdens to be borne; but his cour-
age and industry were equal to the test, and
by diligence and good management he has
one of the best farms in the neighborhood.
The place contains 187 acres of choice land
in a high state of cultivation. The residence,
which is a two-story frame building, stands
in the midst of a natural grove. There are
also many pines and cedars growing near the
house, which add to the attractiveness of the
place as no other foliage can. Although they
were planted by Mr. Roberts, they have
grown to be forty or fifty feet in height. The
farm is well stocked with the best grades of
live-stock, and everything is arranged with
an eye to convenience and ease in the care of
them. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have seven
children -- William S., Robert C., Ida L.,
Herbert M., Mary E., Lewis W. and Oscar
P. Mr. Roberts has been officially identified
with his township as trustee, and also as
clerk. He is a member of Veritas Lodge,
No. 302, A. F. & A. M. In political mat-
ters he is rather conservative. He was a
staunch Union man during the war, and
offered his services to his country, but was
not accepted, on account of ill-health. In
National elections he votes the Democratic
ticket, but in local affairs he votes for the
man best fitted for the office, regardless of
party ties.