Roberts, James B., M. D.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

James B. Roberts, M. D. A physician and surgeon of broad and successful experience, Dr. James B. Roberts had practiced for many years in Kansas, and had long been the leader in professional circles at Goff in Nemaha County.

Doctor Roberts was born in Newton County, Indiana, February 18, 1857. His Roberts' ancestors came originally from Wales and were pioneers in the State of Indiana. His father, Thomas Roberts, was born in that state in 1823 and became a pioneer in the northwestern part of the state in Newton County, where he followed farming until his death in 1858, when Doctor Roberts was only one year old. He was a democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. Thomas Roberts married Sarah A. Anderson, who was born in Ohio in 1829 and died at Des Moines, Iowa, in 1897. Doctor Roberts was the youngest of their four children. Amanda Ann, the oldest, died at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1909. She married Frank Smith, a brick mason and plasterer, who died in Omaha, Nebraska. William J., the second of the children, graduated from the Eclectic Medical University at Des Moines, Iowa, and was a succeasful physician and surgeon practicing at Springfield, Nebraska, until his death in 1897. Jennie is the wife of W. H. Jones, a real estate broker at Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1863 Doctor Roberts' mother removed to Iowa and he was reared and educated in that state. He attended the public schools at Hartford, the high school at Exira, and for three terms was a teacher in Audubon County. After that he had four years of rather arduous experience in the mines and smelters at Idaho Springs, Colorado. Returning to Iowa with his mind made up to prepare for the medical profession, he entered the Eclectic Medical University at Des Moines, and remained there a student for two years. He then secured a license and practiced with his brother William J. at Springfield, Nebraska, until 1889, when he resumed his studies and entering the Eclectic Medical University of Kansas City, Missouri, was graduated M. D. in 1891. Since then Doctor Roberts had practiced in Kansas. He spent three years at Courtland, eight years at Formosa, was in practice at Portis from 1902 to 1904, and since the latter date had had a general medical and surgical practice at Goff, with his offices on Goff Avenue, where he also owned his residence.

Doctor Roberts is a past noble grand of Goff Lodge No. 377, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past master workman of Formosa Lodge No. 526, Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In 1884, at Springfield, Nebraska, he married Miss Belle Branson, daughter of Nathan and Mary (Redigt) Branson. Her mother is now living at Omaha, Nebraska. Her father, deceased, was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade. Doctor and Mrs. Roberts have three children: George O., born October 8, 1885, is a barber living at Medford, Oregon, and married Mary Ray. Earl M., born June 30, 1890, is foreman in an automobile establishment at Sionx City, Iowa, He is a graduate of the Formosa High School. He had been twice married and had two children. Farris, the youngest of the children, was born January 15, 1899, and is now a senior in the Goff High School and had shown unusual eapacity as a student.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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