My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889. 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.
* * * *
Joseph F. Roberts, M. D., was born in McMinn County, Tenn., December 13, 1850, being the fourth child of William S. and Catherine (Walker) Roberts, both natives of Tennessee. In 1854 they located in this county, where they have since lived, their family consisting of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Roberts has been a farmer all his life. Joseph F. was raised on the farm, receiving a good education in the public schools and at Bolivar Academy. At the age of nineteen years he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Farmer, in 1871 and 1872 taking his first course of lectures in St. Louis Medical College, whence he went to Texas and practiced there till 1876, when he returned. He then took a second course of lectures in Missouri Medical College, graduating in 1877, after which he located in Bolivar, where he has since practiced. Dr. Roberts is a member of the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, Missouri State Medical Association, and of the Examining Board of Surgeons for the Pension Department. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1880 he married Cornelia E. Simpson, a native of South Carolina, by whom he has had four children: Nellie C., William W., Sue, and Lydie. Dr. Roberts owns a farm of about 200 acres.
* * * *
This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889. For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
To view additional Polk County, Missouri family biographies, click here
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.