McRoberts, Thomas

RAWLINS, LAVALEE, COREY BRIGGS, EVELYN, ELLISON

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/10/2010 at 11:50:22

The pioneer history of Bremer county contains the record of no more worthy and upright citizen than Thomas McRoberts, who came to this part of Iowa in his boyhood and has watched the development of the locality from a frontier wilderness into a prosperous and progressive farming community. He has borne an honorable part in the work of upbuilding, for he has long been closely associated with agricultural interests of Lafayette township as the owner of a well improved and valuable farm. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky, August 3, 1833, and is a son of Harvey and Martha (Rawlins) McRoberts, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotch ancestry. The father emigrated to America as a young man and after arriving in the eastern states pushed westward to Missouri, where he was joined by his two brothers, with whom he came to Iowa, one brother making his home in Linn county, while the father of the subject of this review came to Bremer county. The latter located in what was then called the Big Woods, a tract of timber land, upon which the town of Denver is now located. He took up land and upon it built the sixth log house erected in Bremer county. After residing in this for a year and a half he moved to the vicinity of Janesville, where he spent the reaminder of his life, dying at the age of sixty. Four of his eight children were soldiers in the Civil war. Sanford was killed in battle. John was a member of the Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, from which he was later transferred to the Thirty-eighth Iowa Regiment, serving until the close of hostilities. Upon his return, while he and a comrade were going on foot to Cedar Rapids, they found two horses straying upon the road and took possession of them. They were later overtaken by the owners and were looked upon as horse thieves. In consequence of this unjust suspicion John McRoberts was hung but his innocence was afterwards fully established and his comrades have placed flowers upon his grave on Memorial day of each year since that time. Alonzo McRoberts was with the Ninth Iowa volunteer Infantry and was killed in battle. Elijah served in a cavalry regiment and also met death upon the battlefield. The two surviving members of this family are: Thomas, of this review; and a daughter who resides in North Dakota.

Thomas McRoberts spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm, growing up amid pioneer conditions. He can remember when the present site of the town of Waverly east of the river was a tract of heavily timbered land and a portion of what was then known as the Big Woods. When he began his independent career, Mr. McRoberts became an employe of Mr. Lavalee, who had the contract for the erection of the Waverly courthouse, the mason work of which was done by the firm of Corey & Briggs. Mr. McRoberts thinks that this firm also built the old stone corner.

Following his marriage in 1860, Mr. McRoberts turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and he remained active in this occupation for many years. He purchased his present farm in Lafayette township in 1883 and he has developed and improved this property along modern and progressive lines, erecting a fine residence, a large barn and other substantial buildings. He has one hundred and sixty acres in Lafayette township but this is now being operated by his son, who raises corn, oats and other cereals and keeps polled Angus cattle.

In 1860 Mr. McRoberts was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Evelyn, a daughter of Henry Evelyn, a pioneer of Bremer county, and they became the parents of seven children: Angeline, who has passed away; James, a resident of North Dakota; Edward, of Waverly, Iowa; Hattie, now Mrs. Martin Ellison, of Lafayette township; Martha and Mattie, deceased; and Ray, who operated the home farm.

Mr. McRoberts has resided in Bremer county during practically all of his active life and his name has come to be regarded as synonymous with progress and improvement in this locality, for he has contributed substantially to the general development while promoting his own prosperity. Although he has passed his eightieth year he is still active and hearty in spirit and interests and could easily pass for a man twnety years his junior. His honorable and upright life has gained him the respect and confidence of all who are associated with him and he has an extensive circle of friends throughout Bremer county.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914