Will County IL Archives Biographies.....McRoberts, Dr W A 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 12:11 am

Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

Dr. W. A. McRoberts, physician and surgeon of Joliet and commissioner of 
health of the city, was born in Troy, Will county, April 26, 1867, his parents 
being John and Margaret (Hughes) McRoberts. His father was a native of 
Whigtown, Scotland, and the mother of Newton Stewart, Scotland. Each came to 
this country in youth and they were married in Chicago. The father was a 
veterinary surgeon and blacksmith. He was graduated from a veterinary college 
of Edinburgh during the time that he was serving a nine years' apprenticeship 
at the blacksmith's trade. Following the establishment of his home in Chicago 
he took a contract for sharpening tools for the quarries, at which time "Long 
John" Wentworth was mayor of the metropolis. Mr. McRoberts was drafted for 
service in the Civil war but hired a substitute, who died in Libby prison at 
Richmond. Virginia. In 1864 Mr. McRoberts removed from Chicago to Troy and in 
1868 came to Joliet, where he worked at the blacksmiths trade and also engaged 
in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred March 28, 
1878, he being at that time fifty-two years of age. His widow still survives 
him and is now living in Joliet in her seventy-eighth year. She is a most well 
preserved woman, doing her own household work and marketing. Mr. McRoberts was 
a stanch republican. The family numbered seven children, of whom four are 
living: Dr. James, of Council Bluffs, Iowa: John, who is yardmaster at the 
rolling mills in Joliet; Agnes; and W. A. McRoberts. The last named acquired 
his early education in the Joliet public schools and for ten years was engaged 
in railroading on the Rock Island line. After five years spent as fireman he 
was promoted to the position of engineer and acted in that capacity for three 
years. He then engaged in the manufacture of cigars, which business he 
conducted for several years and from his proceeds saved enough to enable him 
to pursue his medical course. In 1898 he entered the Chicago Homeopathic 
college and was graduated in 1902. He then located for practice in Joliet and 
has here built up an excellent business, having the patronage of many of the 
best families of the city. In May, 1905, he was appointed health commissioner 
for a term of two years. He belongs to the Will County Medical Society, the 
American Medical Association and the Homeopathic State Medical Association. 
Dr. McRoberts also has various fraternal relations, being connected with the 
White Cross, the Order of Heptasophs, the Modern Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors 
and the Eagles, and in most of these societies he is examiner. He manifests in 
his life the strong and salient characteristics of an able medical 
practitioner—the close and intimate knowledge of the science of medicine, the 
ability to correctly apply its principles and a ready determination of the 
value of any idea or theory which is introduced in connection with 
professional service. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/mcrobert2722nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 3.7 Kb