Thomas C. Roberts
Thomas C. Roberts, general farmer and stock-raiser of Allen County, owns a quarter section of land in Perry Township and is one of the most influential and prominent agriculturists of the county. He was born at Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, April 14, 1853, and is a son of Josiah B. and Margaret (Winrot) Roberts. His grandparents, William and Hannah (Morrison) Roberts, were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter being a daughter of Andrew Morrison. The grandfather was a carpenter, working at his trade in West Virginia, where he reared a family of three children, viz.: Josiah B.; Margaret T., wife of Samuel Davison French, whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere in this work; and Catherine, wife of Jacob Moss, of Westminster.
Josiah B. Roberts was born February 20, 1822, at Frankford, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, making his first trip to West Liberty, Ohio, when a boy, but returning to his native State. About 1835 he located at Westminster, Allen County, and was obliged to cut his way through the dense timber in making the journey from West Virginia. He conducted a store at Westminster for several years, and in 1854 purchased the homestead which is now occupied by his son, Alton. He moved his family to this farm in the fall of 1854 and lived upon it until his death. His wife , Margaret, was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Isaac Winrot. Of the 11 children born to them, but six reached maturity, namely: Oliver C., who resided in Perry township and was a member of an Ohio regiment enlisted for the 100-day service in the Civil War his constitution was undermined and he was taken with jaundice, which probably resulted in his death later; William A., who died in the spring of 1905; Lenora (Mrs. Hiram Holdridge), of Lima; Viola (Dunlap), who resides in Hardin County; Thomas C.; and Alton, who resides on the home farm. In politics Josiah B. Roberts was a Republican.
Thomas C. Roberts was an infant when his parents removed to the farm where he grew to manhood and became familiar with the work which has made him one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of his day. Soon after his marriage he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and has carried on general farming in connection with stock-raising. He has improved the property with substantial building and his method of cultivation is steadily increasing its value by adding to the productiveness of the land.
Mr Roberts married Elizabeth T. Moore, who was born in Perry township, but was reared in Lima. where her father, William Moore, founded the wholesale house of The Moore Brothers Company, one of the largest mercantile concerns in the city. Her mother was formerly Amanda Ballard, Mrs. Roberts is the mother of two children Florence, born in 1882 and Ruth, born in 1886. Mr. Roberts is a stanch Republican.