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Rev. Robert Roberts

ROBERTS, REV. ROBERT, A.M., of Madison, son of William and Henrietta Roberts, was born in Caroline County, Maryland, August 22, 1835. Of his father's family he knows little; they were scattered while he was yet a child. His father, while possessing many excellent qualities of head and heart, was fond of sporting, and loved the fox-chase, so common in his time, and the associations of gamesters. These habits involved loss of time, neglect of business, and the expenditure of money, which, in their turn, brought bankruptcy to the family. His mother, whose maiden name was Pratt, belonged to a wealthy and influential family of Queen Anne County, Maryland. She was an amiable, Christian lady; and in her death, which occurred when her son Robert was but six years of age, he lost his best earthly friend. His father died six years later, thus early leaving him an orphan, without money or influential friends. After spending a few years on the farm with an elder brother, working for his board and clothes, he engaged with a neighboring farmer. The price of his services was to be twelve dollars a year, board for the same length of time, and three months' schooling. The second year he received twenty-five dollars; the third, thirty-six--other things remaining the same. At fourteen years of age he made a profession of religion, and soon after joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he found kind friends. This he now looks upon as the most important step in his life. When about eighteen years old he apprenticed himself to John M. Mason, a cabinet-maker, of Easton, Talbot County. Soon after, his eldest brother, William H. Roberts, of Franklin County, Indiana, being desirous of having all his brothers and sisters in the West, went to Maryland, and brought the four younger children to Indiana. In this state Robert Roberts soon found his way to Connersville, the county seat of Fayette County, and there spent several years, working as molder, tinner, and clerk. Here he deposited his letter in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Rev. Joseph Cotton was pastor. Mr. Cotton took a warm interest in him, and suggested what had been on his own mind for years, namely, that he ought to preach. He gave him license to exhort; but being young, timid, and conscious of his utter disqualification for the work, he soon surrendered his authority, and gave his attention to business. He was then about twenty years old. The conviction that he ought to preach still followed him, however; and early in the spring of 1857 he commenced the study of theology with his old friend, Rev. Joseph Cotton, who was then stationed in Indianapolis. After remaining here until fall, he was admitted into the Southeastern Indiana Conference, and appointed to Columbia Circuit, near Connersville. At the close of his third year in the ministry he married Miss Emily E. Ball, youngest daughter of Jonathan and Asenath Ball. The Ball family is connected with the Methodist Church, and is one of the most wealthy, liberal, and influential in Rush County. After traveling ten years Mr. Roberts, still feeling most keenly his want of educational advantages, resolved to make a bold effort to repair the misfortunes of his early life. He accordingly removed his family to Moore's Hill, and entered college. Notwithstanding the humiliation which, as the head of a family and a member of ten years' standing of the South-eastern Indiana Conference, he necessarily felt upon taking his place in classes with boys and girls, yet he toiled on for three years, taking part with the other students in all the college and society duties. His purpose was to remain five years; but, his eyesight failing, he was compelled to discontinue his studies. He was then stationed in the Centenary Charge, Greensburg, where he served three years, after which he was appointed to Edinburg and Shelbyville. He is now pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Madison, one of the first appointments of his conference. The most prominent characteristics of Mr. Roberts are his unyielding energy and his faith in God.