In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907)
TOHN ROBERTS.
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 Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1907. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.