My Genealogy Hound

Dr. Robert F. Roberson, practicing physician and merchant doing business at Wallaceburg, was born in Sevier County, Ark., November 28, 1835, being a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Messer) Roberson. His father was born on a farm in North Carolina, on October 12, 1812, was reared to farm labor, and after reaching manhood engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility, continuing in that calling all his life. He was married in Hempstead County, Ark., in 1834, to Miss Nancy Messer, and they became the parents of ten children—six sons and four daughters—the subject of this sketch being the eldest son. Seven of these children are now living, viz.: Robert F., James H., William A., Johnson J., Jane (wife of Samuel Floyd, a farmer of Howard County, Ark.), Elizabeth (wife of J. W. Carrol, a farmer and mill-man living at Loekesburg, Sevier County, Ark.), and Frances A. (wife of C. W. Jones, also a farmer of Howard County, Ark). The mother died in Howard County, in 1881, but her husband is still living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as did his wife, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Arkansas. Early in life he took up the study of medicine, and in 1857 and 1858 attended lectures at the Medical College of Memphis, Tenn. In 1858 he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Pike County, Ark., and has continued in the practice of medicine ever since. He commenced merchandising in 1867, at Murfreesboro, Pike County, and conducted a successful business there for a number of years. In 1871 he opened his drug store in Wallaceburg, and in 1875 added a stock of general merchandise, and now conducts a large and growing business. He owns 540 acres of valuable farming land in this county, all of which is well improved. Dr. Roberson was married in Pike County, Ark., in 1855, to Miss Martha A. McFarlan, a native of Tennessee, born in 1834, who died after a happy married life of three years. She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Roberson married his second wife in 1859, wedding Miss Rebecca E. Hancock, who died in 1863, after bearing him two children, both of whom are since deceased. She also was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Doctor remained a widower for two years, and then led Miss Sarah J. Scott, a native of South Carolina, born in 1838, to the altar, and she became his third wife, but after two years of wedded bliss she passed away, dying in 1867. Dr. Roberson was married to his fourth and present wife in 1869. She was formerly Mrs. Elizabeth Blevins Stamps, widow of Dr. Stamps, a native of Alabama, born in 1832, to whom she was married in 1860, and by whom she had four children—three sons and one daughter—all of whom are now deceased. Their names were Martha L., John A., William F., and one unnamed. Mrs. Roberson’s parents were Hugh A. and Sarah (Willis) Blevins, and they had a family of eleven children—seven daughters and four sons—three only of whom are now living, viz.: Mary W. (wife of Polk Bishop, a carpenter by trade, living at Mineral Springs, Ark.), Nancy H. (wife of S. B. Bishop, a farmer of this county), and Mrs. Roberson. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberson were born two children: Lelia P. (deceased), and Claud M. Politically, Dr. Roberson is a Democrat, and socially belongs to the Masonic order, and he and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.