My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS H. ROBERTS, a leading farmer and grape culturist of the town of Hanover, is a son of William and Filura (Harmon) Roberts and was born in the town of Pomfret, County of Chautauqua, State of New York, January 31, 1831. His ancestors were of New England birth, his paternal grandfather being a native of the State of Vermont, in which State he passed his life and reared his family. Grandfather, Minor Roberts, was by occupation a carpenter and joiner. He united in marriage with a Miss Smith, who bore him seven children, five boys and two girls. William Roberts migrated into Chautauqua county from the State of Vermont in 1817, and located in the town of Pomfret. He purchased a farm here from the Holland Land company, and devoted himself to its cultivation. Considerably later (in 1844) he changed his fortunes to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, where he likewise engaged in farming. During the war of 1812, he went into the service as a substitute for Captain Martin. In politics he belonged to the predominant party of his time, the Whig party; while in matters of religion, he was a member of and strongly attached to the teachings and theology of the Methodist Episcopal church. His first wife was a daughter of Luther Harmon, of the town of Pomfret, whither he had come from Vermont, the State of his nativity. His arrival in Chautauqua county was cotemporaneous with that of grandfather Roberts. William Roberts (father) and his wife were the parents of nine children, eight boys and one girl; Thomas H. being the youngest. Joseph H., another son, entered the civil war at the first call of President Lincoln for troops, enlisting in 4th regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, as first lieutenant. He served through-out the entire war with honor and distinction, being with Gen. Butler at New Orleans and other famous campaigns. His death occurred in 1883.

Thomas H. Roberts’ education was limited to the common schools, which at that time, held out to the youth comparatively poor advantages. Starting with such education as they did give, he began the struggle of life upon a farm. This he soon relinquished and engaged his services to a railroad company, with the view to becoming a locomotive engineer. After acquiring skill and confidence in the management of a locomotive, he accepted a position on the Illinois Central, which he continued to hold until the date of his marriage. After this he went into farming at Milford near Fredonia, New York, where he remained until the autumn of 1865, when he removed to the town of Hanover and bought his present farm. Mr. Roberts’ farm consists of one hundred acres of well improved and highly productive land, twelve acres of which are under grape culture. He has a pleasant home with beautiful surroundings and lives a contented life. In June of 1863 he entered the service of the Union army in Co. A., 68th regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He has also served a period of seven years in the New York State militia.

In June, 1860, Thomas H. Roberts first entered into marriage bonds with Martha Jane Clark, daughter of John E. and Louise Clark; and subsequent to her decease, with Helen Bunce, who bore him three children: Myram H., Harley H., dead, and Roy.

His first vote was cast as a whig for General Winfield Scott. He afterward affiliated with the Republican party and has been its devotee ever since. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R.