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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Miller County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Capt. William T. Roberts, one of the leading citizens of Miller County, was born in Pendleton District, S. C., in 1819, the third of a large family of children born to Little Berry and Susan (Davis) Roberts, natives of North and South Carolina, respectively. They were married in South Carolina and made their home there for a number of years, but subsequently moved to Roane County, Tenn., where the father died in his sixty-third year. He was a farmer by occupation, and successfully pursued that calling all his life, being among the leading and prosperous agriculturists of Roane County at his death. In politics he was a Whig, and while in South Carolina was honored by his constituents with many offices of trust and responsibility, which he filled very efficiently, among them being that of sheriff. He served in the Florida War. After his death his widow and family removed to Camden County, Mo., at which place she received her summons in her eighty-third year. She was a member of the Baptist Church, in which denomination she took a deep interest and did a great deal of good. The immediate subject of this sketch spent his school days in Roane County, Tenn., remaining at home until he had attained his twentieth year, at which time he began farming for himself. He tilled the soil in his native State for a number of years, then went to Camden County, Mo., and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a very prominent resident of that county, and took an active interest in its affairs. For several years he filled the important office of county judge, besides many other offices of honor and emolument. When the great struggle between the North and South began, in 1861, Mr. Roberts enlisted as lieutenant in Col. Brown’s regiment of cavalry, and served his cause with distinction until the close of the war. During this time his superiors, recognizing his worth and ability, promoted him to a captaincy. He participated in several severe battles, besides many skirmishes. He was at the battle of Wilson Creek and others in Missouri and Arkansas. At Linn Creek he was taken prisoner and confined for a few weeks at St. Louis and then exchanged. In 1865, at the close of the war, he came to Miller County, Ark., where he has ever since resided. He owns an extensive tract of land, both timber and agricultural lands, and has recently gone into the milling business. This property has nearly all been accumulated since the war, and is the result of energy, industry and business ability. Mr. Roberts has been too busily engaged with his own affairs to take a very active part in political matters, but he always takes a deep interest in all laudable public enterprises, to which he is a liberal contributor. In 1836 and 1837 he was a corporal in the United States army, and helped to move the Indians from Ocoee Purchase in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama to their reservation. His marriage to Miss Mary Parmley, of Roane County, Tenn., was consummated in 1841, and her death occurred in this county in 1868. She was the mother of nine children, only four of whom are now living, viz: John A., R. A. and Mary C. John A. is an ex-Confederate soldier, and a prominent citizen of this community, having very ably filled the offices of sheriff and Representative of this county; he is a farmer and mill man. R. A. also served the Confederate cause in the late war, and is now a prosperous farmer. Mary C. married John Boslin, who is a leading agriculturist of this section. Capt. Roberts remained a widower until 1878, when he succumbed to the charms of Miss Tennessee Bowlin, of this county, and one son, Albert L., is the result of this union. Capt. Roberts has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and is much esteemed by all who know him. Socially he is a Mason, and politically a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 35 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Miller County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Miller County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Miller County, Arkansas family biographies: Miller County, Arkansas Biographies

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