DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Biography: A. V. Roberts, M.D. - r163

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           A. V. Roberts, M. D. The people of De Soto, as
           well as the surrounding parishes, are familiar with
           the name that heads this sketch, and for many years
           he has been actively and successfully engaged in
           prosecuting his chosen profession.  His present
           home is four miles north of Mansfield, but he was
           born in Huntsville, Ala., December 7, 1825, his par-
           ents, Robert W. and Harriet (Allan) Roberts, being
           born in Delaware and Virginia, respectively.  The
           paternal grandfather was born in America, but his
           father was a native of Scotland.  Sanders Roberts
           was an officer in the Continental Army during the
           Revolution, taking part in the battle of Brandy-
           wine, and afterward became the possessor of and
           wore the spurs belonging to Count Pulaski, which
           were handed down to Dr. A. V. Roberts by his
           father, but were stolen from him in 1846 while in
           Philadelphia.  Robert W. Roberts was a lawyer
           by profession, and after his marriage removed to
           Tennessee, thence to Alabama, afterward to Mis-
           sissippi, in 1833, in which State he held a seat in
           the State Legislature from 1837 to 1844, being
           Speaker of the House for two sessions.  In the
           latter year he was elected to Congress; was re-
           elected in 1846, but after discharging the duties
           of this term he returned to his home and lived a
           retired life on his farm until his death, in Febru-
           ary, 1865, his wife having passed from life May 6,
           1846.  Of three children born to them two are
           living:  Dr. A. V. Roberts and Mrs. Margaret A.
           Roach.  The father was twice married, his first
           union resulting in the birth of five children, all of
           whom are deceased.  A. V. Roberts, M. D., was
           reared in Mississippi, and educated himself at
           Centenary College at Brandon Springs, Miss., and
           at the age of twenty years he began the study of
           medicine, and in 1848 graduated from the medical
           department of the University of Pennsylvania, at
           Philadelphia.  After practicing one year in Missis-
           sippi he came to Mansfield, La., which place he
         reached in the month of February, 1849.  After
         practicing here until the war broke out he, in Jan-
         uary, 1861, moved to his present residence, where
         he has followed his calling up to date.  He is the
         oldest resident practitioner of the parish, except
         two (Dr. James W. Fair, of Mansfield, and Dr.
         Lockwood Allison, of Kingston, De Soto Parish);
         has been very prosperous, and is now the owner of
         900 acres of land, 400 being cleared and under
         fence, 160 acres being fine pasture land.  He is
         interested in stock-raising, and improves his breed
         each season, all his stock now being of a good grade.
         He was married, in 1850, to Lucinda J. Quarles,
         by whom he has three children living:  Susan H.
         (wife of Walter Johnson), Quarles M. and Inna
         (wife of A. N. Smith).  The mother of these chil-
         dren died in 1873.  The Doctor is a member of the
         Baptist Church, having joined the same in 1844,
         and for the past thirty years he has acted as its
         clerk.