Zephaniah Roberts (1841 - 1925)

Born 29 Apr 1841 in Madison County, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Martha Jane (Wilhite) Roberts — married 30 Aug 1864 (to 21 Jun 1925) in Hancock, Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 21 Jun 1925 at age 84 in Garden City, Kansas, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kristina Wheeler [send private message]

Biography

Zephaniah Roberts served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: May 1861
Mustered out: Sep 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 14th Regiment, Illinois Infantry

Zephaniah Roberts was born in Madison County, Illinois on the 29th of April, 1941 to William Roberts and Sarah Champ . The siblings are believed to be Zephania, George, William, Sarah, and Maria.

His father William Roberts is believed to have passed away in 1844 in Illinois.

He may be able to be found in the 1850 illinois census in the home of Thomas and Minerva Botkin, unsure of any relation^[1]

He would serve in the Civil War^[2]

He would marry Martha Wilhiteon the 30th of August, 1864 in Hancock, Illinois^[3] and they are believed to have had:

1. William Sherman Roberts(1865-1940)^[4][5][6]
2. Alphuse Elsworth Roberts(1866-1926)^[4][5][7][6]
3. Albert Zephaniah Roberts(1868-1937)^[4][5][6]
4. James Walter Roberts(1870-?)^[8][4][5][6]
5. John Charles Roberts(1871-1934)^[4][5]
6. Edgar Richard Roberts(1875-1922)^[4][5]
7. Josephine M Roberts(1877-1963)^[4][5][9]
8. George Clinton Roberts(1879-1944)^[4][10][5]

In 1870 he(29) was living in Westralia, Montgomery County, Kansas. In the home was also M(26), WS95), W(4), A(2), and J(4 months)^[6]

In 1880 he(39) and Martha(36) were living in Caney, Montgomery County, Kansas. In the home were their children: Wm S(15), Alpheus(13), Albart(11), James(10), John(8), Edgar(5), Jessie(3) and George(1)^[4]

In May of 1885 he would apply for land under the Timber-Culture Act of June 14, 1878 at the Land Office in Garden City, Kansas under application #2116^[11]. He would chose the N.E. 1/4 of Seciton 19, Township 27 S, Range 31 W, containing 160 acres and pay the required $14 fee.

His mother would pass away in January of 1890:

The aged mother of Zeph Roberts, of Example township, died at her son's residence, Tuesday, and was buried at Ivanhoe cemetery, Wedneday. The bereaved once have the sympathy of the community. The deceased had reached the ripe old age of eighty^[12]

In 1891 he would claim his land:

Notice for Publication^[13]

Land Office at Garden City, Kan, Jan. 5 1891.

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim; and that said proof will be made before the Register or Receiver at Garden City, Kansas, on Mar. 2, 1891, viz: Zephaniah Roberts, final homestead entry no. 5048, for the lots 1 &2 and E 1/2 n w 1/4 of Sec 19 twp 27 s, Range 31 w.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of said land, viz: J. Clark, Abe Howerton and John J. Sanner of Ivanhoe Kan. and A.K. Moss of Colusa, Kan D.M. Frost, Register.

On the 16th of May, 1893 he would take steps to finalize his application under the Timber Culture Acts for NE section 19, Twonship 27, Range 31, 6 Meridian Containign 160 acres^[11]. He paid $4 at the time for this. The final certificate would be granted as No. 167. Paul S. Hill would be his first witness, he was 59 at the time and a farmer. He had known Zephaniah since 1885 and confirmed he had personally worked the land, but had broke 5 acres in the first year, 5 in the 2nd, and 10 acres in the 3rd year. Much had been destroyed partially by fire and drought^[11].

William Evans would be the next witness, and confirm the same information provided by Paul. He also confirmed there were about 400 trees on the track averaging 8 feet high, these has survived the various issues that had occured over they years. Zephania further confirme dthat he had bout 3,000 cottonwood and locust rees growing on the 10 acres that averaged about 3 feet high, as the balance had been destroyed by fire and drought^[11].

The siblings would claim a land bounty warrant(#97037), in May of 1892, for their father, William Roberts Jr's, time in the Blackhawk War, this appears to have been sold to a Roy McDonald who claimed it in Garland County, Arkansas at East 1/2 South East 1/4 Sectin 30 and North West 1/4 South West 1/4 of section 29, township 3 South of No 21 West for 120 acres. It would be approved on the 14th of March, 1904 and the patent issued on the 8th of April, 1904. It appears the land warrant would have first been transferred to R.K. Kelley on the 1st of November, 1902^[14].

BLM File #2 for Zephaniah Roberts

BLM File #2 for Zephaniah Roberts

He would claim a military pension^[15]

Mr. Zeph Roberts received notice of the death of his brother, William, at Naples, Illinois, the first of the week. He has visited here and was a member of the Grand Army Post here.^[16]

In 1910 they were living on South St in Garden City War 1, Finney County, Kansas. In the home were Zeph(68), Martha(66) and their daughter Jossie Cogall(35). Martha confirmed she had 8 children and all 8 were living^[17]

In January of 1912 it was reported^[18]: Zeph Roberts has been in communication with the navy department in regard to getting a relic from the battleship Maine. The government proposes to distribute these relics in municipalities and military organizations and Mr. Roberts thought it would be a nice thing for the town to get a piece of armorplate or some brass table which could be engraved with the names of the Garden City boys who served in the spanish American war and to place the tablet in one of the parks. Two Garden City boys lost thier lives in this service, Lieutenant Howard Koontz and Clarence Holmes. Mr. Roberts idea is a fine one to thus honor the dead and pay due credit to the living. In case he succeeds in getting the relic the cost of removal and transportation will have to be paid by the citizens.

KANSAS GOLDEN WEDDING^[19]

Mr. and Mrs. Zeph Roberts celebrated their golden wedding day at Garden City, having been married at Pasco, Illinois on September 1, 1864. They have lived in Kansas since 1868, coming to the state from the state of Illinois, and locating in Montgomery county, where now stands the city of Coffeyville, before this land was treated for from the Indians.

In the fall of 1885 they, with their family, removed to western Kansas to what is now Haskell county, and there took up a homestead, being one of the first settlers in that county, which was then nothing but the bare prairie of buffalo grass dotted with great herds of cattle. The following spring the country began to settle up, until there was a sod house on most every quarter of land. then come the hot winds which was followed by the crop failure, and then the settlers began to leave and go back east to their wife's folks, but so with Mr. Roberts; he stayed with it until the year 1891, when he removed to Garden City, where he has ever since resided.

Since moving to Garden City Mr. Roberts has been very active itn eh affairs of that city, having served sixteen years as a member of the city council or on the school board, and on the death of the the late George L. Miller, mayor, he became active mayor. he is a civil war veteran, having enlisted on the 21st day of April, 1861, in Company F, 14th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, participating int eh battle of Shiloh, and later in the siege of Vicksburg, and was mustered out of the service in Springfield, Illinois, June 21, 1864. he also has been a very active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having joined McPherson post, No. 4 at Independence, Kansas, in the yea 1884, and has been a continuous member ever since, now holding his membership in James R. Fulton Post No. 57, Garden City, Kansas, and being a past commander.

He was born in Madison county, Illinois, on the 29th day of April, 1841, his parents immigrating there from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Mrs. Roberts was born in Hancock, Illinois, January 2, 1844, her parents state of Virginia. She has been ever faithful to her trust, enduring all the hardships which seems to be allotted to them who were early settlers in Kansas during those early days. She is a member of the W.R.C. and the Rebekah lodge, and in spite of her age, she ha always taken an active interest int he building up of these organizations, and is a past president of the W.R.C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of Presbyterian church, and while they live some distance from the church they are regular attendants.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have eight children, all are now living and seven were resent at their celebration. they have nineteen grand-children - all are now living. Their sons, Wm. S. and Alpheous E. are living near Eugene, Oregon, and are engaged in farming; James W. in Salem Oregon, merchant; Albert Z. in Lindsay, California, orange grower; John C. in Miami, Oklahoma, farmer; Edgar, Elkhart, Kansas, attorney; Clinton, in Garden City, railroad employe(sic. employee), and daughter, Josephine, Colorado City, Colorado, teacher.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were presented a number of valuable presents by their children, their lodges and many friends. It was a happy event for them, as it was the first time they have been together for over twenty seven years.

In 1920 they were living on North 6th Street in Garden, Finney County, Kansas. In the home were Zeph(78), Martha(75) and their daughter Josephine(40)^[9]

He died on the 21st of June, 1925 in Garden City, Finney County, Kansas and he would be buried in the Valley View Cemetery, Garden City, Finney County, Kansas ^[20]

Pioneer Veteran Dead.^[21]

(By the Associated Press.) Garden City, Kan., June 25. Zephania Roberts. 84, a prominent G. A. R. officer of Western Kansas was buried here today. His funeral was one of the largest held here in years.

Mr. Roberts was a native of Madison .County, Illinois, and he served in the Civil War four years as an infantry volunteer.

Mr. Roberts homesteaded in Haskell county in 1S85. and had lived here since 1831. He was a noted Republican of the old school. He was a member of the school board.

Mr. Roberts failed this year to carry the flag in the Decoration Day parade for the first time in many years.

He leaves a widow, one daughter and six sons.

Mr. Roberts was the father of the late Edgar Roberts, who was county attorney for Finney and Morton counties.

PASSING OF AN HONORED CITIZEN^[22]

Death came to Zeph Roberts on Sunday afternoon at 5:33; June 21st, 1925. he was born in Madison County, Illinois, April 29th, 1841 making his age at the time of his death 84 years and 21 days. His parents were a pioneer family from Kentucky and had come to Illinois just prior to his birth.

While yet a young man; at the age of 20 years, Mrs. Roberts enlisted in the U.S. army and served his country from 1861 to 1864 in Company F, 14th Illinois Volunteer infantry. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Champion Hills, Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg and the capture of Port Beauregard. he was sent from Vicksburg as part of the reinforcements for General Sherman's army in Tennessee and later was in the battle of Chattanooga. he was mustered out June 21st, 186 in Springfield, Ill.

After the close of the Civil War he came to Kansas along with the vast crowd of his comrades who settled the state at that time. he joined the McPherson Post No. 4 of the G.A.R. at Independence, Kansas, and upon coming to Western Kansas transferred his membership to James r. Fulton Post No. 57 of which post he was a member up to the time of his death. A various times during his long residence in this section he served the Post Commander of No. 57.

Mr. Roberts was married to Martha Wilhite in 1864, soon thereafter removing from Illinois to western Kansas, coming to Haskell county, Kansas in 1885, he homesteaded in Haskell county and lived there til 1891 when the family removed to Garden City.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were blessed with eight children, seven sons and one daughter - one son, Edgar, has preceded him to the Beyond.

Mr. Roberts delighted to live over again the stirring days of '61 to '65 and his conversation with his friends relative to his past in the great struggle was vivid, and very descriptive of the hardships of which a younger generation can known nothing.

Mr. Roberts was a strong man in his community life and his fellow citizens delighted to honor him in the days of his strength and power. During his long residence in Garden city he served four years as a member of the school board and fourteen years as city councilman. AT the time of his death of Mayor G.L. Miller, Mr. Roberts was president of the city council and served as mayor pro tem thereafter.

Mr. Roberts was an ardent Republican in politics, a strong partisan, but was always ready to grant every other man the right to his own views on any political question, and to grant the same privilege that he asked for himself, to other men, to be faithful to the party of his choice.

In the early nineties he was elected from the first ward on the County Central Committee and served in that capacity for many years. During the time he was a member of the county committee, the famous Murdock flag was won by Finney county and the county committee gave it to Mr. Roberts asking him to serve as its custodian which he did up to the time of his death. The flag hangs today, at half mast, in the Roberts home. Every Decoration Day for years Mr. Roberts has carried the flag and marched along with the procession of the G.A.R. in remembrance of the Union for which he fought. Decoration Day this year found him stricken and unable to march in the procession but he viewed the celebration in which he had so long participated form the seat of an automobile.

Mr. Roberts was an outstanding American citizen, always loyal to his country and its flag, a Christian gentleman, a kind neighbor and a loving father in his family. He was a member of the first Presbyterian church and a regular attendant at Sabbath school and church services as long as he was able to attend.

He has many friends who mourn his loss, both among his comrades in the G.a.R. and the citizens who knew him so well. he filled many posts of honor during his life time and the people of this community were always proud of his achievements. he was an honest honorable upright citizen w ho believed in and practiced the golden rule. The prayers of his many friends follow him now that he has reached the reward of his labors, so justly earned.

Research Notes

IMPORTANT MUST READ NOTES

It is important to review the story in this source link to understand the full details. His father is an exact match to the William Roberts Jr, in all aspects. DNA comparison is still required to confirm concretely^[5]

1. Story states married September 1,1864 documentation states 30 Aug 1864
2. mothers maiden confirmed on daughter Sarah Elizabeth death certificate

Please read:

1. Zeph Roberts - Story
2. Zephaniah Roberts Biography

Research info to follow up on

1. Page 14 in Pension files notes that he had been in the Overton Hopsital and ?????(almost reads Female ???? ospital Memphis Tennessee about Sep of 1862 - records could not be found
2. Page 15 states that he spent time at the Regimental & Field Hosp at Fort donelson in April of 1862
3. Page 38-40 mention Aikens which may be related to the family, and again on pages 42 for Wm B Akins and Rebeca Akins
4. page 52 mentions being in Fort donelson
5. Page 153 - family doctor treated him 1866-1868 may hold clues

DNA Notes

This line must be confirmed by YDNA to ensure accuracy and there are not just a lot of correlations. Possible Lines for matches below for later research in trying to identify living individual that may be willing to assist.

1. William Sherman Roberts LIne
   1. Walter William Roberts (1933-2019)
   2. Unlikely either of the other children did
2. Alphues Roberts Line - No YDNA options
3. Albert Roberts Line - No known YDNA Options
4. James Walter Robets - No Known YDNA options
5. John Charles Roberts - No known ydna options
6. Edgar Roberts- uncertain if there are possible children
7. George Clinton - no Known waiting for obituary.

Sources

1. ↑ The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Township 6 Range 12, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 111; Page: 14b
2. ↑ Military Service - Civil War - Union Additional military record
3. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGQ-X68 : 19 February 2021), Zephaniah Roberts and Martha J Willhite, 30 Aug 1864; citing Hancock, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,533,001.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8} Year: 1880; Census Place: Caney, Montgomery, Kansas; Roll: 389; Page: 172C; Enumeration District: 149 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF5Z-2C3 : 14 January 2022), Zaph Robart, Caney, Montgomery, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8} Standard History of Kansas and Kansans transcribed by Sandra Gorin accessed by Kristina Wheeler 29 March 2023
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} Year: 1870; Census Place: Westralia, Montgomery, Kansas; Roll: M593_439; Page: 671A
7. ↑ Oregon, U.S., State Deaths, 1864-1971; Ancestry Database Alphuse Elsworth Roberts 4 Nov 1926 county of Klamath; accessed 29 March 2023
8. ↑ "Oregon, Oregon State Archives, Births, 1842-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WQ7L-TFZM : 2 August 2021), Zeph Roberts in entry for James Walter Roberts, 8 Mar 1870; records extracted by partner or FamilySearch, images digitized by partner or FamilySearch; citing Birth, Coffeyville, Montgomery, Kansas, United States, Oregon State Archives, Salem; FHL microfilm 106193671.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Year: 1920; Census Place: Garden, Finney, Kansas; Roll: T625_532; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 44
10. ↑ "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K4X-HG53 : 11 February 2023), Zephaniah Roberts in entry for George Clinton Roberts, .
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3} BLM Land File for Zephaniah Roberts - Timber Culture Application 2116 Zephania Roberts - Obtained by Gopher Records for Kristina Wheeler; accessed 22 May 2023, copies uploaded
12. ↑ Santa Fe Monitor Fri Jan 31, 1890; transcription provided by the Finney County Historical Society, accessed 10 May 2023
13. ↑ Newspaper clipping provided by the Finney County Historical society 27 Feb 1891 Invahoe, Kansas; exact citation not available; accessed 10 May 2023.
14. ↑ BLM File #2 for Zephaniah Roberts, claimed through Land Bounty Warrant #97037 for Service of father William Roberts Jr. Obtained by Gopher Records for Kristina Wheeler Accessed 30 May 2023 - See uploaded documents
15. ↑ "United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2M2B-6CR : 19 February 2021), Zephaniah Roberts, 1907-1933; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,635,944.
16. ↑ Garden City Herald, Garden City Kansas, February 18, 1905 P1; Finney County Historical Society; accessed 9 May 2023
17. ↑ RYear: 1910; Census Place: Garden City Ward 1, Finney, Kansas; Roll: T624_439; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 0040; FHL microfilm: 1374452
18. ↑ Garden City herald Jan 18,1912, clipping provided by the Finney County Historical society, copy on file; accessed 10 May 2023
19. ↑ Newspaper clipping provided by the Finney County Historical society; Garden City herald Thursday 3 Sep 1914; accessed 10 May 2023
20. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #112283646 Find a Grave, database and images ( Find A Grave: Memorial #112283646 zephaniah-roberts: accessed 29 March 2023), memorial page for Zephaniah "Zeph." Roberts (29 Apr 1841–21 Jun 1925), Find a Grave Memorial ID 112283646, citing Valley View Cemetery, Garden City, Finney County, Kansas, USA; Maintained by tom moore (contributor ).
21. ↑ The Iola Register, Iola, Kansas, 25 Jun 1925, Thu • Page 8 accessed 29 March 2023
22. ↑ Garden City Tel[???]; Garden City, Finney County, Kansas, Thursday June 25th, 1925 P1; Clipping of article without full details provided by the Finney County Historical Society, accessed 9 May 2023

1. Wilhite/Wilhoit & Allied Descendants of Johann Michael and Anna Maria (Hengsteler) Wilheit 1671-1994 Compiled by Mary F. Mickey

1850 Census [1]