Isaac Roberts, retired farmer and blacksmith; P. O. Charleston; born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Feb. 25, 1807; his grandfather emigrated from Wales in the early part of the seventeenth century, and located in Virginia, then to Kentucky, where he died; his father, Azariah Roberts, was born in Kentucky about the year 1775, and died in Indiana about 1847. The subject of this sketch removed to Scott Co., Ky., when quite young, where he lived until 22 years of age, and learned and worked at the blacksmith trade until 1828, when he removed to Hendricks Co., Ind., and followed his trade until 1852, during a period of twenty-four years; he then emigrated to Illinois, and located upon his present place in June, 1853, where he has since continued to live; he first purchased 120 acres of land upon his present farm, to which he has since added until he has 360 acres, which he has accumulated by his own hard labor, energy and industry. He married in April, 1822, to Nancy Bowles; she was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., in November, 1807; she died Feb. 28, 1866; nine children were the fruit of this union, five of whom are deceased; the names of the living are William D., born April 29, 1829; Aratus, born Oct. 20, 1833; Isaac M., born June 16, 1847, and Alpheus, born Feb. 24, 1850; Mr. Roberts’ children are all living within one mile of his present home. William D. married in 1850 to Ann Douglas; she died Feb. 25, 1866, leaving three children; he married for his second wife Cynthia Lanman; she died Dec. 27, 1878, leaving four children. Aratus married in 1854 to Araminta Bradfield; she died in 185S, leaving one child-Charles W., born March 16, 1857; his second marriage with Auyziller Nelson was celebrated in 1865; they have three children now living by this union-Alpheus, Aratus J. and Ella. Isaac M. married Feb. 18, 1867, to Patience Marymee; she was born in Indiana Jan. 30, 1844; they have three children now living, viz.: John T., born March 10, 1868; Phoebe J., born Feb. 21, 1875, and Julia M., born July 3, 1878. Alpheus married Amanda Wilkin April 4, 1872; she was born in Coles Co., Ill.; they have one child -Daisy D.
