Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Thomas W. Roberts

Richmond's well known and popular contractor and builder has a remarkable record, and from the study of his lifa history one may learn valuable lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of Wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, he rises from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence both in the commercial and industrial world.

Mr. Roberts is numbered among Wayne county's native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm a mile west of Richmond, December i6, 1822. The family is of Welsh descent and was founded in America by the greatgrandfather of our subject, Walter Roberts, who when a young man left his home in Wales and crossed the Atlantic to the New World. He settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and afterward became one of the pioneers of Butler county, Ohio, his home being near Hamilton. By occupation he was a farmer. Thomas Roberts, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died in Richmond, Indiana, in 1838, at the age of eighty years. He had come to this city about 1808 and was also an agriculturist, owning a considerable tract of the land upon which the city is now builded. In his religious connections he was a Friend. He married Miss Ann Whitson, a native of Long Island, and to them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters. The parents of our subject were Solomon W. and Elizabeth (Bond) Roberts. The father was born in South Carolina and with the family came to Wayne county at an early epoch in its pioneer history. He spent the great part of his life in Richmond, but died in Madison county, Indiana, in 1858, at the age of sixty-three years. His made farming his life work and in that pursuit gained a comfortable property. Like the others of this family, he adhered to the religious faith of the Society of Friends, and his life was cast in harmony therewith. In his family were thirteen children and four are yet living, but the greater number died in childhood.

Thomas W. Roberts was reared on his father's farm, west of Richmond, and early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He aided in the labors of field and meadow, and while not thus engaged attended the schools of the neighborhood. When about seventeen. years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, completing his apprenticeship before attaining his majority. He became an expert workman, which made his services always in demand. In March, 1847, he came to Richmond, and soon afterward began contracting and building on his own account. Since that time he has been prominently connected with the building interests of the city. He soon won the public confidence, by reason of his excellent workmanship and his fidelity to the terms of a contract, and his patronage steadily and rapidly increased. He employed a large force of workmen, and many of the finest buildings of the city stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise, among the number being the Reeves Library. His business integrity and reliability were above question, and his well directed efforts, sound judgment and capable management have brought to him most gratifying success, so that he is now numbered among Richmond's wealthy citizens.

Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Lough, a native of Wayne township, and they have one son, Charles A., who is now engaged in the painting business in Richmond. Since 1852 Mr. Roberts has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the encampment. His wife holds membership in the First Presbyterian church. He has served as a member of the city council and as park commissioner, and is actively interested in all measures tending toward the social, moral, intellectual and material advancement of the city. He withholds his support from no movement for the public good and has largely promoted the general welfare. He is a social and affable gentleman, whose friends are legion, and all honor and esteem him for his many virtues and genuine worth.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899