Henry Roberts, of Thompson Township is designated as one of the most popular men of liis community. In business he 1ms been very successful, And has followed mining, hotel-keeping and farming, each with excellent results, lie has been quite a traveler, having explored a large proportion of the western country, and spent some years searching for the golden ore on the Pacific Slope. Mr. Roberts has also attained considerable prominence as a local politician, being one of the leading members of the Democratic party in this vicinity. It is predicted that ero many years his presence will grace the Legislative halls. Among his peculiarities is a close and conscientious attention to business, and this has resulted in the accumulation of a fine property, securing him against want in his declining years. Ills farm, comprising Kill acres of valuable land, is pleasantly located on section 12.

Our subject is the offspring of a good family, being the son of William and Ann (Pryor) Roberts, who were natives of Cornwall County, England. William Roberts emigrated to America in 1855, coming directly to this county and settling in the vicinity of Scales Mound, where he took up a tract of land, and prosecuted farming many years, he rested from his earthly labors in I8G5, at the age of seventy-five years. The mother survived her husband until 1882. dying at the ;ige of eighty-eight. Their children, eleven in number, were named, respectively, William, Jr., John, Ann. Thomas. Joseph, Josiah, Henry, Mary, Grace. Angeline and Charles E.

Henry Roberts, our subject, likewise a native of Cornwall County. England, was born April 2. 1827. His early life was passed there under the parental roof, until a young man twenty-two years of age. Not satisfied with his condition, or his pro5|>ects, he then determined to emigrate to the New World Bidding adieu to the friends and associates of his childhood, he set out alone, in August, 1849, sailing from Plymouth, his objective point being this county. Upon his arrival here he engaged in lead mining, which he prosecuted one and one-half years with varied success. In 1881 he started for California, via the Nicaragua route, by the Vanderhilt line, upon that trip he had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the Vanderbilt disposition and the man who later gave utterance to the words. "The public is d- -d." The vessel carried 1.000 passengers and the ship's provisions giving out. they were upon the verge of starvation. An indignation meeting was called, in which it was decided to laj- the matter of supplies before the Captain, in hopes of obtaining some relief. Mr. Robert* was chosen a member of the committee to confer with this official, whom they pressed with the point of a pistol to open the vaults of the Steward, ami these were found to contain plenty., Matters were even worse after they reached the Pacific, ami probably 300 men died as the result of poor and insufficient food. Upon reaching San Francisco, Mr. Roberts proceeded to Eldorado County and mined in the vicinity of Hangtown.bulletin calling for 600,000 men to aid in the preservation of the Union. Upon returning to this county he settled down here, and here has since been contented to remain. He became the father of eight children, the eldest of whom, a daughter. Mary Ann, is deceased. John Edwin is also deceased. The survivors are: Samuel H., William A., Emma Grace, Charles Thomas, Joseph F., and Josiah F.

Samuel Roberts, a resident of Topeka, Kan., married Miss Sarah Tooey, of Scales Mound, and they have two children—Martha A. and Emma May. William A. married Miss Belle Brown and is farming in Scales Mound Township; Emma G. is the wife of Richard Rowe, of Apple River. Township: the three youngest children are at home with their parents. Joseph F. intends to enter college at Topeka, Kan.

Mr. Roberts, politically, is one of the lights of the Democratic party in this part of the county. He has held the various local offices many years, officiating as School Treasurer, Township Supervisor, and Assessor, and is still holding the latter office. He is a man who has kept himself well posted upon State and National affairs and has become thoroughly identified with American institutions. There are few native-born citizens who are bettor acquainted with the history of the country, or who take more pride, or a deeper interest in its advancement and prosjierity. Mr. Roberts, after coming to this country, was married, in 1851. at Scales Mound, to Miss Ann. daughter of Samuel and Mary Pryor. This lady is, like her husband, a native of Cornwall County, England, and was brought by her parents to America when a child of three 3'cars. They settled at Mineral Point in 1838. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom Ann and Thomas H. were born in England. Mary .1. was born in Wisconsin; Elizabeth. Samuel, Grace and John were born in Scales Mound. Mr. Prvor was a miner and removed from Mineral Point to Scales Mound in 1840. He was skilled in his business and did much toward developing the mining interests of this county.

Mr. Roberts cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, and since becoming a voting citizen has given his unwavering support to the Democratic party. He is roost decidedly a free-trader. He was the candidate of his party forCiicuit Clerk in 1884, and ran ahead of his ticket 150 votes in the county. A few years ago, while stopping a runaway team, he was injured to such an extent that he suffered the Joss of his right eye. Mrs. Roberts deserves more than mere mention among the faithful wives and mothers represented in this work. She has been the admirable assistant of her husband in his labors and plans, and is held in high esteem by her neighbors.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)