J. S. Roberts, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of White County, was born February 25, 1832, in Overton County, the eldest child of William and Sarah (Matthews) Roberts. The father was born February 28, 1806, in Charlotte County, Va., and married in 1880. He was a saddler at Livingston, Tenn., and a Democrat. His death occurred in 1872. The mother was born February 20, 1805, in Overton County, and died in 1883; both were of English descent and members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch worked at the saddler’s trade in his youth, but began farming when he attained his majority. In 1856, he was elected trustee of Overton County; at same time was postmaster at Livingston. In the fall of 1862, he entered the Confederate Army, under Forrest’s command, and served until 1864. In 1870 he was elected circuit court clerk of Overton County, and held that office three terms in succession, in connection with which he was engaged in the lumber business and farming. In 1882 he abandoned the lumber trade, and has since devoted his time exclusively to farming and stock raising. July 3, 1858, he married Mary, daughter of Carter and Margaret (Shelly) Allison, of Overton County. Five sons and five daughters are the fruits of this union. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat. He and wife are both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.