Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1036.
 
REV. JAMES T. ROBERTS

     is well known in Klamath county and adjacent sections, being both a
stockman, farmer and a preacher of the gospel. He resides in Poe valley near
Bedford postoffice and was born on January 9, 1853, in Washington county,
Arkansas. His father, Joel (Lee) Roberts, was born in Kentucky and went with his
parents to Indiana. Then they removed to Illinois, later to Missouri and finally
to Arkansas. His mother was a sister of Gen. Robert E. Lee.  During the war he
went to Arkansas but had to return to Missouri as a refugee, and there enlisted
in the union army, being a member of the state militia. In 1886 he came to Poe
valley, this county, where he engaged in the stock business. Here he remained
until his death in September, 1903, being at that time in his seventy-ninth
year. He was a devout member of the Methodist church, South.  He married Malinda
Spencer, also a native of Kentucky, who is now living with our subject and his
brother, Elijah W. She is seventy-five years of age and has been a life long
member of the Methodist church, South and is a devout and honorable Christian
woman, highly esteemed by all. Our subject is one of eleven children, six of
whom are now living, named as follows: Mrs. Julia Marsh, of Salem, Oregon; John
J., of North Yamhill, Oregon; James T., who is our subject; Elizabeth J., the
wife of Hiram Roberts, he being the same name but no relation, and now residing
in Poe valley; Elijah W., who is the partner of our subject; and Mrs. Rosa
Taylor, of Olene, Oregon. At the age of eleven, James T. went with his parents
to Missouri and later learned the barber trade, which he followed for fifteen
years. During this time he was rather a wild young man, paying little attention
to the claims of God and his soul, preferring rather the pleasures of a season
to religious ways. In 1890 he came to Poe valley, where his parents and brothers
were living, and soon thereafter he was led to grasp the faith of the Scriptures
and turned his attention to their study. He soon was licensed to preach, having
joined the South Methodist church, the date of his first licentiate being June,
1896, in Roseburg district. He preached in Langell and Yonna valleys and is very
earnest in this labor. Soon after coming here he entered into partnership with
his brother, Elijah W., and they went to work by the month to get a start. They
invested their earnings in cattle and gradually became more deeply engaged in
the stock business, purchasing land betimes and increasing their herds. They now
own over seven hundred acres, two hundred acres being natural meadow and about
two hundred acres in cultivation. They also have four hundred acres in the
Klamath Basin under the ditch and eighty acres are seeded to alfalfa. They own a
fine band of cattle and horses, having gamed their entire property holdings by
their own industry and excellent management. They are hard working men, highly
respected and upright.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.