Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Roberts, William January 14, 1861 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net September 26, 2006, 5:32 am Author: Colonel William Parsons Page 472, 473 William Roberts William Roberts, who lives ten miles northwest from Pendleton on Despain Gulch, is the son of Jesse and Virginia C. (Burris) Roberts, and was born in Kansas, January 14, 1861. When he was only three years of age his parents removed to Missouri, but afterward returned to Kansas and remained there until he was fourteen years of age. Again their interest demanded that they should be in the state of Missouri, and so they went thither and remained until 1879, when they became interested in the reports from the Pacific coast country. Their interest constantly increased in these regions and finally preparations were made to come west. Oregon was the state selected, and after much deliberation and investigation it was decided that Umatilla county was the section to first be visited, and accordingly they came here. The climate, the soil, the productions and the general advantages of Umatilla county were all that could be asked, and their good judgment said to stop right here and make a home. This they did. Young Roberts, having received a good common- school education while in Missouri and Kansas, was ready for active life and anxious to commence. His first plan was to search the county for a good location, and when found he took a homestead and timber culture and commenced at once to improve them and build a permanent home. He has showed marked perseverance in this work and has by thrift and intelligent activity so operated that his holdings have been increased from the original claims to eight hundred acres finely laid out and well improved. His good house, fine, large barns, well planned, and substantial outbuildings, all kept in the finest manner, tell of care, intelligence and thrift. This is the kind of improvement that makes the wealth and prosperity of the county, that gives the real standing to any state of adds comfort and happiness to its citizens. In addition to his own elegant farm he rents seven hundred acres more and farms it all to wheat, in the raising of which he has acquired a skill that is very praiseworthy. It is his plan to summer fallow a portion of his land each year, and in that course is the secret of always having first-class returns from the land and at the same time keeping it in good condition, not depleted and worn out, but ready to respond with its bounty to the husbandman. This course is very commendable and will in time be followed much more by the intelligent farmers. Pioneering in improvements is quite as commendable as pioneering in a new country, and sometimes requires even more genuine stability and intelligence. Mr. Roberts finds that it is a fine investment to have his own threshing machine. To thresh the returns of fifteen hundred acres, a large job, does not occupy him all the time, and so he is accustomed to operate for the neighbors also. These things well show the energy and capabilities of our subject and stamp him as one of those men who are born to think and to do. It is pleasing to see a man, who has such extensive interests to look after, take the time to consider the local affairs of the county and especially the school matters. This is what makes a good county government and fine free schools. Good practical judgment and first-class common sense supplementing a progressive spirit are the things needed in public matters as well as in private affairs. On January 25, 1885, Mr. Roberts was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Emma Barker, daughter of John and Mary Ann (Hobson) Barker. Their one child, Gertrude, has died and they are deprived of childhood's joy. And so we take leave of our subject, having followed his path from childhood to the prime of manhood, in which he has achieved a fine success and made himself in his adopted country respected by all. Additional Comments: An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Publisher 1902. Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/umatilla/bios/roberts225gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb