REV, THOMAS H. ROBERTS. MANCHESTER, GREEN LAKE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Farm on Sec. 4, north line of Randolph, 60 acres and 90 acres, with residence opposite, in Manchester, Green Lake Co.; P.O.Cambria; was born May 12, 1825, in Carnarvonshire, North Wales; son of Hugh R. Roberts; his mother's maiden name was Mary Jones.In the spring of 1844 (when 19 years old), he, in company with a sister (Gwen Roberts), came to America and located in Wisconsin; he stayed in Racine about two months, and the next December (1844) came to Columbia Co., and located land in what is now the town of Randolph, on Sec. 4 (160 acres, 40 acres of which he still owns); his uncle, David R. Roberts, located land adjoining his, and they built a home on the line between them, which they occupied together till May, 1845 ; he then went to Beloit and stayed there till the next fall, when he returned to Randolph and built a log house on his land.
His parents came from Wales the same fall (1845), and all lived on the same farm till the death of his father, February 23rd, 1865, at the age of 78; his mother died in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the home of a daughter, in March, 1875, aged 87.
Mr. Roberts was first married January 7th, 1851, in Marquette, to Mary Parry, daughter of Griffith Parry, a native of Wales; she died May 7, 1856, leaving two chilidren — Robert and Benjamin, the latter only 6 days old at her death; he is now living at home with his father; Robert has been in school for the last eight years; is a graduate of Ripon College, of the Class of 1879; is now at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, preparing for the ministry; has been licensed to preach about five years, but not yet ordained.
Mr. Roberts was married the second time, June 30, 1858, to Jane Hughes, a native of Wales, daughter of John Hughes, who is now living in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota; she died October 19th, 1869, in her 30th year, leaving three children — Mary Ellen, who died December 22nd, 1874, aged 13 years; Jennie and Hugh (both at home); had lost three previous to her death — Mary Jane died in Racine at the age of 2 years; Hannah, aged 7 months, and Johnnie, aged 5 months.
His third wife was Mrs, Mary Hughes, widow of Thomas Hughes, and daughter of Thomas Rowlands, of Springvale; she died April 3rd, 1878, aged 47, leaving four children by her first husband, but none by the second.
Mr. Roberts was licensed to preach December 25th, 1845, by the Calvinistic Methodist or Welsh Presbyterian Church, but not ordained till June, 1850. In the fall of 1853, he went to Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and taught school about two years, preaching at the same time; he preached in the vicinity of his home, in Dodge and Columbia Cos., several years before there was any church organization there, holding meetings at private houses, his father's home being one of them.
Proscairon Church was organized in 1848, and the church building put up in 1851; Berea Church was organized soon after the other, and the house built in 1852; Mr. Roberts has been in charge of both churches ever since their organization, but preached in Racine in 1861 and a part of 1862, still having charge of the home churches.