John Roberts Posted 2010-04-06 by Pat R Wickenburg (AZ) Graphic Friday, September 18, 1931, p 8 c 3&4 In Appreciation JOHN ROBERTS was born Feb 26, 1859 at Campbells Reef, Mositon, Australia. After his mothers death in 1867 his father moved his family to his native home in Wales. His health being poor he sailed with his family, including John, for America in 1870, and located at Junction City, Kansas. Here John, at thirteen years of age, started to learn the printers trade, working in the office of the Junction City Union for three years. Later the Roberts family left Junction City for Prescott, Ariz., leaving June 25, 1875, traveling by teams overland, and arriving at Prescott Nov 3. John, then a boy of sixteen, drove one of his fathers teams consisting of steers, for leaders and wheelers, and cows in the swing. One evening at sundown, while crossing the little COLORADO RIVER, one of the lead steers died. Johns father stopped long enough to make a single yoke out of a crooked cottonwood log, and using ropes for tugs, John drove a spike team from there to Prescott, showing he had in him the stuff of which pioneers are made. During 1888 John worked as type setter on the old Miner, then owned by Chas W BEACH and John H Marion. But this work was too confining for his adventurous spirit, so he quit and turned cowboy. He worked at the cow business from 1879 to 1896 with the exception of the two years 1889 and 90 when he served as a deputy sheriff under Bucky ONeill, who was one of the greatest sheriffs old Arizona ever had. In 1896 he sold out his cattle BUSINESS, and took up the freighting and mercantile business, which he followed until 1908 when he sold out and moved to Parker with his teams. During his life, he filled many positions of trust, as follows: In 1893 was elected Justice of the Peace in Kirkland Vslley; 1897 he was again elected Justice of the Peace. Served in 1905 as DEPUTY SHERIFF under Joseph I Roberts who was sheriff of Yavapai county. After moving to Parker he was first appointed constable, and following that, was elected five straight elections to fill that office. In 1921 he was appointed deputy by sheriff J M Polhamus, and served the term. In 1922 John was again elected constable at Parker, but resigned in May 1923. In 1929 he was again appointed deputy by his OLD FRIEND, the late James M Polhamus, who died during his term as sheriff of Yuma county. John acted as jailer at Yuma during his term on the sheriffs force, and when leaving he was handed a touching little tribute from the thirteen prisoners in the jail, expressing regret at his departure and thanking him for his kindness and courtesy while over them, stating that his attitude towards them made them realize that they still had a chance to redeem themselves, and take a proper place in society. This was typical of Johns kind heart, and broadminded views on life. John also served as stock inspector for eleven years at Parker, and as school trustee for some length of time. He was a member in GOOD STANDING of the Elks lodge, and the Arizona Peacer Officers association. He was appointed U.S. Commissioner again in 1924 by Judge Jacobs, resigning in 1925 to go into business at Litchfield, Arizona. He died at Parker, Arizona, on July 15, 1932 and was buried in the Parker cemetery. He left his WIFE, Rose, to whom he had been married for forty years, and two sons, Irvine, and Bernard Roberts; two daughters, Mrs Julian Gibson and Mrs Guy Terry and five granchildren. He had a great many friends who appreciated the many sterling qualities in his character. He was a devoted, loving husband throughout a long married life, a kind and indulgent father, and a true and loyal friend. His terrible affliction of an incurable cancer, followed by his sad death, was regretted by all who knew him, and his family. See Also: Death Certificates
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 18:36:02 +0000
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