Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. pp. 856-857.

JOHN ROBERTS was born March 8, 1848, in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indiana, where he is now engaged in farming and stock-raising. His father, Robert ROBERTS, was born in Kentucky, February 23, 1811, a son of William ROBERTS. The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native State, where he was married January 28, 1836, to Miss Nancy Brown, by whom he had two children. In the spring of 1837 he started for Wells County, Indiana, where he entered 120 acres of Government land on section 32, Rock Creek Township, and began the task of clearing and improving his frontier farm, and from time to time added to it until he had 200 acres, which he brought under a high State of cultivation. His wife died August 10, 1840, and he was subsequently married to Mrs. Abigail Sparks, whose maiden name was Redding. She was born December 12, 1815. To this union were born five children, three of whom yet survive. Robert ROBERTS was again bereaved by the loss of his wife, who died April 8, 1862. He was again married to Miss Mahala Redding, who is yet living on the old homestead. Mr. Roberts died February 5, 1880. He served as township trustee, and held other local offices of trust and responsibility. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a member of the New Light church. John ROBERTS, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, residing with his parents until his marriage. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native township. September 18, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary J. Mills, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza J. (Gilmore) Mills. Her father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, a son of Andrew Mills, who was a native of Ireland, and her mother was born in Virginia, a daughter of James Gilmore, a native of Scotland. Her parents were married in 1842, and in 1846 immigrated to Indiana, settling in Huntington County, where Mrs. Roberts was born May 16, 1850, and where Mr. Mills died October 6, 1874, aged fifty-three years. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, of whom only one survives, a daughter, named Annie Jane. Their first born died in infancy, and their youngest, Ellie, died aged five months. After his marriage Mr. Roberts settled on his farm on section 31, Rock Creek Township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. To his original purchase of forty acres of partially improved land he has since added until his farm now contains 249 acres all well improved and under fine cultivation. In his political views Mr. Roberts is a Democrat.