WM. P. ROBERTS was born January 23, 1831, in Schuyler County, Illinois; his father, Norman Roberts, was born October 19, 1800, in South Carolina, and emigrated to Georgia, when quite a boy, from Georgia to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Indiana, and from thence to Schuyler county, Illinois, in 1830, and removed to Sangamon county 1853; engaged mostly in farming, but traded some on Ohio river from Newbery, Indiana, to New Orleans; is now living with his son, Wm. P. Roberts; was acquainted with Abraham Lincoln when a boy. Mother's name before marriage was Temperance Lockhart, born in Washington county, Kentucky, November 17, 1796, died September 28, 1839. Grandfather Joseph Roberts was born in Virginia, and died in Gibson county, Indiana; accidental death by gunshot. Norman Roberts was twice married; by his first wife were born seven children, (married June 13, 1821,) viz: Mary Ann, Betsy Monroe, Amanda Jane, Martha Ellen, Wm. P., Hannah and Joseph; Mary Ann and Joseph are dead. Norman Roberts was married second time to Mrs. Lockhart, September 18, 1840, to whom were born four children, viz: John W., Norman B., Thomas J., and Madeline; all of whom are now living. Wm. P., the subject of this biography, in early life lived with his father, and followed farming; was educated in the common schools of Warwick county, Indiana, school house built of logs, and ground floor; emigrated to Sangamon county, Illinois, February 12, 1852; was married January 28, 1858 to Miss Nancy E. Boyd, of Macon county, Illinois. The family consists of nine children, viz: Joseph D., born July 14, 1859, and died July 11, 1864; Mary Ann born May 17, 1861; Emma F., born April 27, 1863, died August 20, 1879; Martha E., born October 9, 1864; Tempa Florence, born March 19, 1867; Ida Belle, born November 16, 1868; George H., born February 26, 1871; Harvey C., born May 4, 1873; an infant died December 19, 1880. Mr. Roberts has two hundred and ten acres of land adjoining Illiopolis under a high state of cultivation, is regarded as a first class farmer; has a nice residence; his family are taking an interest in education and music; has been a member of the Christian Church twenty-seven years; his motto in religion as, in everything else, is "go slow, but sure."