ARTEMAS A. ROBERTS, p. 358-359

1888 Portrait & Biographical
Album of Branch County
by Chapman Brothers, Chicago

     


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Artemas A. Roberts is actively identified with the farming interests of Michigan, his native State.  He has a very pleasant home on section 11, Quincy Township, where he settled July 7, 1882, and his farm, in point of culture and productiveness, compares favorably with the best in this locality.  Our subject is a worthy representative of a pioneer family of the adjoining county of Hillsdale, where his birth took place in the township of Litchfield, March 20, 1853.  His parents were Daniel and Clarissa (Allen) Roberts.  The former was born in Willet, Cortland Co., N.Y., June 27, 1810; the mother was born in Scipio, N.Y., July 23, 1812, and they were married in Willet, N.Y., Sept. 15, 1839.  They started from their home in New York Sept. 9, 1845, and arrived in Jonesville, Mich., on the 23rd of the same month, settling in Scipio Township, Hillsdale County, where they resided for two years, and then moved to Litchfield Township, of which they were respected residents for more than forty years.  In 1880 they removed to Battle Creek, where they are now passing their declining years in comfort, and free from the cares of active life.  They have witnessed with great interest the wonderful development of Southern Michigan, from the sparsely inhabited wilderness which prevailed over the most of this part of the country when they first came here, to its present prosperous and populous condition, and they can feel with pride that by their labors they contributed to its growth.  In the period of fifty years that they have traveled together, they have been faithful in all relations of life, and have conscientiously performed its duties.  They are sincere and earnest Christians, and have for many years been connected with the Baptist Church as honored members.  They have nine children living, of whom our subject is next to the youngest.  He was reared to the life of a farmer, and educated in the common schools. ....and on the 13th of January, 1874, was united to the lady of his choice, Miss Fannie Bowen.  She was born in Hillsdale County, Jan. 12, 1839, being a daughter of Alvlu and Caroline (Burdick) Bowen, natives of Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N.Y., where the father was born April 25, 1812, and the mother May 7, 1829.  They were married in their native county, May 20, 1854, and a year later, in the month of May, came to Michigan and settled in Litchfield Township, Hillsdale County.  The father died there in 1872.  The mother is still living.  She and her husband were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Roberts is the eldest.

After marriage Mr. Roberts continued to live for two years in his native town, Litchfield, and then removed to Branch County, where he still makes his home in Quincy Township.  Since coming here he has made a success of his agricultural ventures, and is already numbered among the substantial farmers of this community.  His Farm of ninety-two acres, with its rich harvest fields, gives ample evidence of the care, skillful management and hard labor of the owner.  The pleasant household of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts has been blessed by the birth of four children:  Lennie, Ida, Fred and Hazel.

Our subject is capable, energetic and systematic in the management of his affairs, and strictly honorable in his business transactions with others.  In his home he is the kind husband and a tender father; in his relations with his neighbors he is always pleasant and obliging.  He and his good wife are active and earnest members of the Baptist Church.  Politically, he is a Republican; he has never held office, but has devoted himself closely to the conduct of his agricultural interests.