Biography of James J. Roberts - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 99 James J. Roberts combines both farming and merchandising as his occupation in life, and resides at Appleton, in Griffin Township, this county. In his commercial business he is building up a fair trade, and constantly increasing his stock. In his farming enterprises he owns 320 acres, of which eighty is under a good state of cultivation, and the balance well timbered, the farm is well stocked and equipped, and in his farming, as in his commercial pursuits, he is successful and thriving. He was born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, July 7, 1850. His parents, A. and Mary Roberts, were natives of North Carolina, to which State their ancestors were among the earliest pioneers. They were the parents of eleven children, ten now living, four of whom reside in Arkansas, and the others in Texas. Mr. A. Roberts was a house carpenter, and a good mechanic at that trade. He immigrated to Arkansas in 1867, and located in Conway County, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1882. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. She is still living, and makes her home with her children in Texas. Our subject was reared and educated in Alabama, came to Arkansas with his parents, and at his majority commenced life for himself as a farmer. The next year (1872) he married Elizabeth Papsian, a native of Alabama. To this union have been born six children, named Leroy, Mary (deceased), Wesley, Rhoda, Joseph and Rosalia. Religiously this family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which Mr. Roberts officiates as class-leader. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is public-spirited and progressive, giving his support to schools, churches, and any enterprise designed for the public good.