Bio: John Wesley Roberson,  Bienville Parish Louisiana
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown
Date: Oct 1998

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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives
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John Wesley Roberson has been a cotton planter by calling for the
past twenty-four years, but during the past few years he has also
been the proprietor and manager of a fine livery stable in Arcadia.
He was born in Shelby County, Ala., October l5, 1843, and is the
eldest of the following children: J. W.,  Mary F. (who died at the
age of eleven years), George W. (who is married and a leading
merchant of Arcadia,  see biography), Martha J. (wife of George
Glower, an agriculturist), William (a carpenter and joiner of
Arcadia), and Adella, wile of William Lolley, a retail merchant of
Bienville). The father of these children was born in Alabama in
1822, and still living. He has been a grocer and farmer and is now
residing in Arcadia. His wife, who was born in Alabama, is also
still living, and both were educated in the select schools of their
native state.

John Wesley Roberson was an attendant the common schools during
his youth, acquired a good practical education, and at the age of
seventeen years commenced life for himself as a planter; but in the
following year enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Louisiana Infantry
Volunteers, was assigned to the Army of Tennessee, being under Gen.
Joe E. Johnston and Gen. Baxton Bragg, and with them participating
in the following engagements: Shiloh, Coffeyville, the campaign
from Dalton, Ga., to Atlanta; Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville,
where Mr. Roberson was taken prisoner and sent to Louisville, Ky,
thence Indianapolis, Ind., and from there to Columbus, Ohio.  Later
he was taken to Baltimore, Md., and from there to Point Lookout,
Md., and then to Richmond; Va., where he was exchanged.  At
Richimond he was placed on a paroled furlough and was allowed to
come west to Selma, Ala, where he remained until the close of the
war.  He was disbanded sixty miles northeast of Selma and returned
home.  During his whole military career of four years he was never
wounded in the slightest degree and was never sick during the
entire service. His company, which consisted of 104 men, was the
first to leave Bienville Parish, but only twenty-four of the number
returned to their homes at the end of the war, which speak  volumes
as to the dangers and hardships they passed through during one of
the most cruel wars in the annals of modern history.

After the return of Mr. Roberson he was married to Miss Mary Jane
Brewer, who was born in Louisiana in 1844, to John A. and Delilah
(Williams) Brewer, her education being received in the common
schools.  Their marriage took place on January 18, 1866, and has
resulted in the birth of eight children: Edgar C. (who is
associated with his brother in the livery business), Lena (who is
fitting herself for a music teacher), John Henry and Gordie
(assisting their father in the livery stable), Hattie, Dal]as,
Adella (are in Arcadia College), and Mary.

Mr. Roberson has always strenuously upheld the principles of
Democracy, and east his first presidential vote for Horatio
Seymour.  He has been a member of the council of Arcadia for five
years, in which capacity he is at present serving.  He is also a
member of the board of education, and for many years has been a
member of the Masonic fraternity.  He and his wife are devout
members of the Missionary Baptist Church of Arcadia, La., and are
ardent supporters and workers in the Sunday-school.

Mr. Robersons livery establishment comprises a full line of
excellent vehicles and horses and is largely patronized by the
public who are always sure of having their wishes promptly attended
to.  This business is worth about $3,000, and besides this he is
the owner of a handsome and commodious residence in Arcadia. He and
his wife move in the highest circles of the place, and are highly
honored residents of this section.