Biographical Sketch of

Thomas D. Roberts

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 451 - 452

Thomas D. Roberts, deceased, is inseperably identified with the history of Green Lake County, having been prominently 
connected with its growth and progress from the days of its early infancy.  He was born in Hampshire County, England, 
Oct. 25, 1789, and was educated in the common schools.  When seventeen years of age he started out in life for himself 
as a sailor, and followed the ocean for a number of years.  Subsequently, he went to Spanish River, Nova Scotia, where 
the most important event of his life occurred.  He became acquainted with Miss Sophia Gould, and on the 2d of November, 
1820, they were united in the holy bands of matrimony.  Shortly afterward they removed to Haverhill, N. H., where a 
family of ten children was born unto them:  Stephen L., the eldest, born Sept. 7 1821, is now a resident of Claremont, 
N. H.; George D., born June 14, 1823, died in Fox Lake, Wis., in 1887; Charlotte, born June 7, 1825, is the wife of 
Hillard Rowe, of Claremont, N. H.; William G., born Aug. 27, 1827, when last heard of was running on a steamer on the 
Mississippi River, but is now supposed to be dead; Sarah D., born July 14, 1829, is the wife of Nathan Bryant, of Dodge 
County, Wis.; Eliza, born June 7, 1831, died in infancy; Thomas D., born Aug. 4, 1833, and Harriet L., born Nov. 6, 1838, 
also died in infancy; Diana, born May 11, 1840, is the wife of Hiram Pratt, a resident farmer of the town of Mackford; 
Thomas S., born May 4, 1842, is also a farmer of Mackford township.

When Mr. Roberts arrived in Green Lake County, in 1844, the country was almost an uninhabited wilderness.  Indeed, in 
all directions there were but few settlers; the now flourishing city of Milwaukee contained but one building, a hotel, 
the old Plankington House.  Mr. Roberts there left his family and started out on foot to seek a location.  At last he 
chose Dodge County as the scene of his future labors, making a claim on Lake Emily, but shortly afterward he came to 
Green Lake County, settling on section 32 in the town of Mackford, where he continued to make his home until his death.  
The nearest market in those early days was at Milwaukee.  He would haul his wheat to that place with a team of oxen, 
fourteen days being required to make the trip, and after selling for the low price which it brought would frequently 
not have money enough to pay the expenses of the journey.  The first six month the family lived almost entirely on 
bread and water.  The first grist Mr. Roberts took to mill he carried upon his back to Beaver Dam, a distance of 
eighteen miles.  On the way he had to ford streams, the water being waist deep.  These are but a few of the hardships 
which were endured by the early settlers, and they certainly deserve great credit for the part which they bore in 
placing the county in its present advanced position.  They laid the foundation for its prosperity and development, and 
to them is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid.  Among those who bore the heavy burdens Mr. Roberts 
deserves especial mention.  He had chosen this county for his home, and he took great pride in its upbuilding and 
advancement.  He lived to see its wild prairie lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, the rude log cabins 
and Indian wigwams replaced by substantial and elegant residences, villages have grown into cities, many important 
industries have been introduced and school houses and churches built, until all the citizens may be proud of the rank 
which their county occupies.

In early life Mr. Roberts was a Whig, but later supported the Republican party, and was honored with several local 
offices of trust.  He was reared an Episcopalian, and adhered to that faith through life, but Mrs. Roberts was a 
life-long member of the Methodist Church.  His death occurred Sept. 23, 1886, at the very advanced age of ninety-seven 
years, and his wife died Jan. 16, 1876, when seventy-six years of age.



Transcribed by Char Eckman






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