My Genealogy Hound

Prof. J. R. Roberts is one of six surviving members of a family of ten children born to J. P. and Celia (Rippetoe) Roberts, and was born in Mason County, Mo., in 1849. He was educated at Ozark, Mo., and at Abingdon College, Knox Co., Ill., graduating from the latter institution in 1873. He came to Bentonville soon after, and held the position of assistant in the Bentonville High School for some time, and in 1874 established the high school which is now the Pea Ridge Academy. He is principal of the same, and through his own exertions has erected a handsome brick school building at a cost of $6,000. His school is in a very flourishing condition, the faculty consisting of five teachers, who are well qualified for the work. Prof. Roberts was married in 1876 to Alice Dean, a native of Benton County. She was born in 1859, and is the mother of one child Josephine, who was born in 1877. Both Prof. Roberts and his wife are members of the Christian Church. The former’s father and mother were both born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1820, and were married about 1840. They located in Greene County, Mo., the same year, but afterward moved to Macon County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also preached the Gospel, expounding the doctrine of the Christian Church. In 1856 he relocated in Greene County, and in 1872 came to Bentonville, Ark., and here resided until his death in 1887. His father was a native of Wales, and came to America at an early day, settling in Tennessee. His wife is of French descent, and is still living in Benton County. The following are their children who are living: Mary (wife of N. A. Suman), Peter W., J. R., Wealthy (wife of H. C. Collins), Nannie and Martha E. (wife of N. J. Robins.)