From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 203-204
 
THOMAS R. ROBERTS.  The estate owned and operated by this gentleman comprises 200 
acres in Sections 6, 7 and 18, and is one of the most valuable and well-kept places of Dodge 
County.  Mr. ROBERTS is a native of Carnarvonshire, Wales, where he was born in 1826, and 
where he grew to manhood.  He was of an enterprising and ambitious disposition, and life in the 
old country proving too tame and monotonous for him, he decided to seek his fortune in America, 
of which he had heard so much, and in 1844, when but eighteen years of age, he emigrated 
thither, taking passage on board a vessel at Liverpool for the city of New York, where he arrived 
in August, three weeks after starting.  He came west via the Hudson River, the Erie Canal and the 
great lakes to Racine, Wis., and after looking over the country for some time, finally bought the 
farm where he now resides, of a Mr. ROWLEY, the place then consisting of 120 acres.  A few 
acres had been cleared, and Mr. ROBERTS continued this work and tilling the soil up to 1852, 
when he started to California with an ox team, accompanied by eight men, and they were six 
months crossing the plains.  Three of the eight men died on the way, and Mr. ROBERTS' brother, 
David, died after they had reached California.  Mr. ROBERTS began working in the mines of that 
State and followed this occupation for about nine years, when he decided to return to Wisconsin 
and came via the Isthmus of Panama and New York.  He was fairly successful in his search for 
gold, but afterward loaned out his money and lost heavily.  He arrived home in May 1861, and 
again resumed work on the farm, and by judicious economy and earnest effort he has become 
one of the wealthy farmers of the county and has a fine and valuable farm.  He has a handsome 
new frame residence, a fine large barn, granaries,etc., and it is only necessary to give a glance 
over his farm to know that he thoroughly understands his business.  He was married in this 
county in 1877 to Mrs. Jane JONES, a daughter of Fowlk WILLIAMS.  She was born in Wales, 
and came to this country when sixteen years of age, and here died in 1886.  Politically Mr. 
ROBERTS was a Democrat up to 1851, but since the organization of the Republican party has 
supported its men and measures.  He has always refused to hold office, for the political arena has 
had no charms for him, and he has much preferred to give his attention to his farm.  He attends 
the Calvinistic Methodist Church.  Through the fifty years that Wisconsin has been his home he 
has endeavored to do as he would be done by, has lived an upright and useful life, and of him it 
may be said, "well done, thou good and faithful servant."
 
Submitted by Carol