The Roberts Family of Guthrie County, Iowa

CHARLES C. ROBERTS.

Charles C. Roberts has held the office of assessor for three years and is also School director in Seely township. He is one of the leading citizens and progressive farmers of the community and brings to his official duties and his business interests the same spirit of enterprise, determination and successful accomplishment. He was born February 21, 1870, in McLean county, Illinois, his parents being A. A. and Sarah E. (Daniels) Roberts. The father died in May, 1897, at about fifty-five years of age, and the mother still resides on the old homestead with her son Ed and family. Our subject has three brothers and one sister living: John, Ed, Mary, the wife of Ernest France, and Ben, all of Seely township. Those deceased are Richard A. and Martha.

The removal of the family to Guthrie county in his early boyhood days enabled Charles C. Roberts to pursue his education in the district schools of Seely township and in the high school of Guthrie Center, from which he was graduated in due course of time. When not busy- with his text-books he worked in the fields, aiding in the labor of the farm from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. After completing his education he continued at home with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he took up farming on his own account in Seely township. In 1903 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 2T), which he still owns and operates, having the fields under a high state of cultivation, while he makes a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle. This constitutes an important branch of his business and brings to him a good income. Lpon his farm is a beautiful residence and substantial outbuildings and everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision and progressive methods.

On the 31st of December, 1896, ]\Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Myers, a daughter of T. L. Myers, of this county, and they have two children: Lela Marie, born December 3, 1897, and Frank H., born December 7, 1901. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are much esteemed people, having many warm friends throughout the community. Mr. Roberts exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and has been called to some local offices, now serving for the third year as assessor. He is also a school director and the cause of education

4o8 finds in him a warm and stalwart champion. In fact, he stands for advancement and improvement along all those lines which contribute to the material, intellectual and moral development of the community, and his position is not merely that of endorsement but of active co-operation in the work for public welfare.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The farm on which John Roberts resides comprises four hundred acres of valuable and productive land in Seely township, which he purchased in 1901, and here he is raising thoroughbred white faced cattle. By birth, by training and preference he is a resident of the middle west and possesses the alert, enterprising spirit which has always been manifest in the development and upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the nth of November, 1872, his parents being A. A. and Sarah E. (Daniels) Roberts. The father died February 13, 1897, at the age of fifty-six years, but the mother is still living and resides on the home place in Seely township.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Roberts in his boyhood days. At the usual age he entered the common schools and therein mastered the branches of English learning. When not busy with his textbooks his time was largely given to the work of the fields and he remained at home with his father until twenty-three years of age. Desiring to engage in farming independently, he then rented land for three years, since which, time he has been engaged in buying and selling land, owning at different times five or six farms in Seely township. In 1901 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising four hundred acres m Seely township. It is excellent property, showing all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. He uses the latest improved machinery and follows modern methods in tilling the soil. He is perhaps even more widely known as a stock-raiser and has gained an excellent reputation in the breeding and raising of thoroughbred white faced cattle. He also owns two draft stallions, both three-year-olds. One is a black Percheron, “Echo,” imported direct from France, which has been pronounced by many expert horsemen as the best horse of his kind ever brought to Guthrie county. The other is a Clydesdale named "Logan."

On the 2ist of March, 1895, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Nora Ellen Kester, a resident of Guthrie county, and they have three children — Lena May, born in April, 1896; Nellie Pearl, born March 15,

1903, and Jennie Marie, born September 9,

1904, all at home. Mr. Roberts votes with the republican party and is interested in its success, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. Most marvelous advancement has been made in farm life within the last third of a century and Mr. Roberts has kept pace with the changes that have been wrought. He stands today as a progressive farmer and an energetic business man, who carries forward to successful termination whatever engaged his attention.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Ben Roberts, engaged in farming on section 14, Seely township, is the owner of a well-improved property of one hundred and sixty acres equipped with good buildings, while the land is divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences. This is classed with the most productive farms of the township and in addition to the cultivation of the soil Mr. Roberts is making a specialty of the breeding and feeding of Poland China hogs.

He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, having been born in McLean county on the 13th of January, 1876. He is a brother of John and Charles Roberts, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Following the removal of the family to-Guthrie county during his early boyhood days he acquired his education in the public schools and has spent the remainder of his life upon a farm here. When not busy with his text-books his time was largely devoted to the work of the fields upon the old homestead and he remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, renting land until his labors had brought him a sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm. He invested his earnings in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, Seely township, and he has since improved the place with a substantial residence and good outbuildings. Fie uses the latest improved machinery to carry on the work of the fields, which annually bring forth golden haiwests in reward.for the labor he has bestowed upon them. His work has been so systematically done and his methods have been so practical that his land is now rich and arable and his farm is considered one of the best of this locality. He has also found the breeding and feeding of Poland China hogs to be a profitable business and to it he gives much of his time and attention.

On the I St of January, 1905, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Metta Jenkins, who was at that time a resident of Union township, Guthrie county, her parents having located in the county in the early days. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have two children, Helen, and Hazel, at home.

In his political views Mr. Roberts is a republican, havingsupported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife are worthy people with a large circle of friends, and the hospitality of their own home is one of its most attractive features. Mr. Roberts has al-

=i8 ready gained a gratifying measure of success for one of his years and he displays those sterling traits of character which promise still larger success in the future.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.