Professor D. W. Roberts

ROBERTS, EVANS, DAVIS

Posted By: Nancy Jane Stapp (email)
Date: 6/26/2002 at 15:26:25

My great-great grandfather, Professor D.W. ROBERTS was living in Bevier, Macon County, MO in 1880 according
to the census. About 1870 or so, they went to Mahaska County, Iowa and in the early 1900's they moved to Polk County, Iowa supposedly the Saylorville area. He directed many of the Welsh Choirs in the Eisteddfodds and won many prizes.

His children were:
1. Rachel (who is said to have died as a teenager and is buried in perhaps the Oakwood Cemetery, Beveir, Macon County, Missouri, if there is one
named that.
2. Elizabeth,
3. William D,
4. Evan F.,
5. Martha,
6. Jane (Jennie) born 26 March 1875 in Bevier, Macon County, MO.

Professor D.W. ROBERTS was born in Wales, lived in Ohio, and for a little while, Bevier, Macon Co. MO. By 1889
he had moved to Mahaska County, Iowa (Givin, Iowa I believe).

After living in Mahaska County for a while he moved to Polk County, Iowa where he passed away about April of 1908. His wife Mary preceded him in Death in February of the same year (1908).

I do know that he was quite active in the Welsh Eisteddfods in Iowa and he seemed to well known in many places
from family lore.

Here are the only two items that I have about him:

ROBERTs, --Word was received in the city this morning of the death of Professor David ROBERTS, a former well
known resident of Oskaloosa. The old gentleman died at the Methodist Hospital of pneumonia, after an illness of only
six days. The funeral will take place at Des Moines Sunday.

The wife preceded him to the other side by only a couple months. A family of about six children survive the aged
parents. Professor ROBERTS was a native of Wales. He came to this country and for years was engaged in coal
mining at the coal camps near the city. He was for years located in the Welsh colony at Givin. In his declining years he
gained a livlihood in this city by conducting a retail oil delivery. He and his wife removed to Des Moines about four
years ago to be nearer relatives. Professor ROBERTS, as he was known by everyone, was perhaps one of the best
known. He was a singing master and chorus director of wide repute and was himself a singer of considerable ability.
he had the rare power of interpretation of party and chorus music and his knowledge of direction was little less than
remarkable. The old gentleman was in his element in the work of the EISTEDDFOD when it was at its height in this
city.

He was one of its staunchest reporters and hardest workers. He has won many large prizes for superior chorus work
and he has received unstinted praise from the loftiest critics in the country.

David ROBERTS did a world of good in his time and he merits a rich reward. His death will cause deepest regret
among hundreds of Oskaloosa friends. Rev. Lloyd WILLIAMS of this city goes to Des Moines Saturday morning to
conduct the funeral and interment.

12 January 1899 David ROBERTS to-day received a copy of the Uruguay News Letter of November 27, 1898 sent
him by Col. SWALM at Monte Video. It is the first paper from that country which we have seen that is printed in
English, and barring the grammar and spelling, it is a creditable publication. Mr.SWALM, wanting to make sure that
Mr. ROBERTS would receive the paper added to the address "the man who sings"

Is there anyone else researching this ROBERTS family?