My Genealogy Hound

E. J. Roberts, a prominent citizen of Robertsville, Mo., is a native of Charlotte County, Va., born November 14, 1817, the eldest in a family of four children. His parents, Thomas and Nancy (Pourtwood) Roberts, were also natives of Charlotte County, Va. Thomas Roberts, who was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, was a son of John Roberts, a native farmer of Virginia. Mrs. Nancy Roberts was a daughter of Thomas Pourtwood, of Charlotte County, and a farmer by occupation. E. J. Roberts came to Franklin County, Mo., with his parents when fourteen years of age, in 1831, having previously received the most of his education, which he supplemented with extensive reading and observation. Industry and business ability have done much in securing him a competence of this world’s goods. He owns 3,073 acres of land, as well as town property. He engaged in farming until 1860, when, for the following twenty-five years, he was principally engaged in merchandising at Catawissa and Robertsville. He was married in 1847 to Miss Anna M. Robertson, a native of St. Louis County, who bore him three children: Mary Frances, Thomas P. (deceased), and James E. (deceased). Mrs. Roberts died in December, 1852. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat, politically, acceptably served his township as collector, and was for some time postmaster at Robertsville. He is a Master Mason.