Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Prof. J. R. Roberts

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Prof. J. R. Roberts is one of six surviving members of a family of ten 
children born to J.P. and Celia (Rippetoe) Roberts, and was born in 
Mason County, Mo., in 1849. He was educated at Ozark, Mo., and at 
Abingdon College, Knox Co., Ill., graduating from the latter 
institution in 1873. He came to Bentonville soon after, and held the 
position of assistant in the Bentonville High School for some time, 
and in 1874 established the high school which is now the Pea Ridge 
Academy. He is principal of the same, and through his own exertions 
has [p.883] erected a handsome brick school building at a cost of 
$6,000. His school is in a very flourishing condition, the faculty 
consisting of five teachers, who are well qualified for the work. 
Prof. Roberts was married in 1876 to Alice Dean, a native of Benton 
County. She was born in 1859, and is the mother of one child, 
Josephine, who was born in 1877. Both Prof. Roberts and his wife are 
members of the Christian Church. The former's father and mother were 
both born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1820, and were married about 
1840. They located in Greene County, Mo., the same year, but afterward 
moved to Macon County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and 
also preached the Gospel, expounding the doctrine of the Christian 
Church. In 1856 he relocated in Greene County, and in 1872 came to 
Bentonville, Ark., and here resided until his death in 1887. His 
father was a native of Wales. and came to America at an early day, 
settling in Tennessee. His wife is of French descent, and is still 
living in Benton County. The following are their children who are 
living: Mary (wife of N. A. Suman), Peter W., J. R., Wealthy (wife of 
H. C. Collins), Nannie and Martha E. (wife of N. J. Robins.)