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Capt. Samuel E. ROBERTS, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., September 13, 1833, and is the son of John B. and Martha S. (WILLIAMS) ROBERTS. His grandfather Roberts was a brigadier-general under Gen. JACKSON, in the war of 1812. John B. Roberts was married in Carroll County, Tenn, and afterwards moved to Texas, and located in Shelby County, where he died in 1843. His wife, Martha S. Williams, was born in Murray County, Tenn., and is the daughter of John WILLIAMS. She is yet living, and is the mother of six children. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. D. JONES. Capt. Roberts was reared by his grandfather Williams, in Lawrence County, after his father's death, and was educated in White Oak Academy. In 1857 he began merchandising in a general store at Mount Vernon, and followed this business for about three years at that place and at Pineville, McDonald County. During his younger days he worked by the month on a farm, and saved some money by his industry. November 26, 1857, he married Miss Mary J. JONES, daughter of Porter and Elizabeth (PENDLETON) JONES. She was born in Caldwell County, Ky., December 1, 1834. Her father moved to a farm in Lawrence County in 1842, and became one of the leading merchants and farmers of the county. Capt. and Mrs. Roberts became the parents of four children: John B., William P., Dora A. (wife of A. J. LITTLE, of Dallas County, Tex.), and Elizabeth J. Capt. Roberts was elected sheriff of Lawrence County, August, 1859, and in 1861 he was appointed by the governor for another term. He met with many difficulties in the performance of his duties, as he was a strong Union man, outspoken in his convictions, and on this account was obliged to leave his home to save his life. He went to St. Louis, but afterward returned to Lawrence County, where he served his country a number of months in the secret service. In 1862 he was elected captain of Company C, Seventy-sixth East Missouri Militia. His company was transferred to the Seventh Missouri Provisional Regiment during the year 1863, and rendered active service in Southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas. In 1864 his company was again transferred to the Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, United States Army, and took an active part in Price's raid. Capt. Roberts was mustered out July 1, 1865, and returned to his home in Mount Vernon. In 1865 he purchased his present farm, where he now lives, and where he has since resided. He owns 355 acres of land on Ozark Prairie, four miles southwest of Mount Vernon, and is one of the leading stock breeders of the county. He was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature in 1863, and served two years. In 1867 he was again elected to the same office, and served two years. Since 1868 he has taken an active part in the politics of the county, but has no desire for again holding office. He is one of the public-spirited men of the county, and has given his children good educational advantages. His son, William P., is a graduate of Columbia College. Capt. Roberts is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Mount Vernon. John B. ROBERTS, son of Capt. Roberts, was born in Lawrence County, Mo., September 27, 1858, and is a farmer and stock raiser by occupation. He was educated in the common schools of Lawrence County, and completed at Drury College, at Springfield, Mo. He was married February 12, 1879, to Miss Jane A. GIBSON, a native of Lawrence County, Mo., born December 19, 1855, and the daughter of W. K. GIBSON. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have three children: Mamie D., Carol P. and Mattie L. Mr. Roberts has a fine farm of 200 acres, and in 1878 he began dealing in stock, being one of the prominent stock men of the county. He is a Republican in his political views, and is one of the leading men of that party.
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