Homer Roberts, whose fair and fruitful farm and pleasant home are in Otsego,
the town of his birth, is classed among the representative citizens of his
native county, who are closely identified with its progress and prosperity
as farmers of intelligence, business tact and enterprise.  He was born
January 29, 1846, springing from the old pioneer stock of this section.  He
is a son of Jonathan P. Roberts, who was likewise a native of Otsego, and
was for many years prior to his death a respected resident of the town.  His
father, who was born in New England, was a pioneer of the town, coming here
in the early days of its settlement, and reclaiming a farm from the forests
that then prevailed in this region, and making it his home until he departed
this life.
 
Jonathan P. Roberts commenced to earn his own living with no other capital
than muscle and brain.  For a time he worked by the month, receiving $10 per
month and his board in return for his services.  He wisely determined to
economize his means and become independent, and in due time had money enough
to buy a tract of land.  He purchased a farm in the town of Otsego, but did
not occupy it long before he sold it at and advance price on the original
cost.  He bought another estate, and changed farms two or three times
previous to 1852, when he purchased the farm where our subject now resides.
He occupied it several years, and then, removing to Cooperstown, lived in
retirement until his death, May 20, 1892.  His wife, who died March 10, 1882
  was Eveline Beadle before her marriage, and the daughter of Homer Beadle,
who was of New England birth, and a farmer by occupation.
 
Our subject is one of five children, of whom the others are:  Frederick; N.
Louisa, wife of Thomas Taylor, Jr., of whom a sketch appears on another page
  Delos and Horace B.  Homer Roberts was well educated in the public schools,
and thoroughly drilled in all that pertains to agriculture on the old
homestead.  He lived with his parents until his marriage, and then took
possession of his father's farm, that he now owns and lives upon.  He has
here a valuable and well managed property.  The soil is kept in a fine
condition by the most approved methods of tillage, the improvements are
substantial and in the best of order, and the comfortable and commodious
dwelling in which the family resides is a true home, the center of good
cheer and a generous hospitality.
 
December 23, 1874, a Mr. Roberts' marriage with Miss Laura J. Ellsworth was
solemnized.  Mrs. Roberts is also a native of Otego, and was born December 7
  1848.  Her father was Jedediah Ellsworth, who was a native of Columbus,
Ohio.  His father, Sylvester S. Ellsworth, who is thought to have been a
native of Ohio, kept a hotel at Columbus a number of years, but on account
of ill health, sold his property there, and coming to New York, died in this
State when his son Jedediah was but five years old.  His wife was Elizabeth
Harwick, a native of Herkimer County, and a daughter of Nelson Harwick.  She
married a second time, and died in Herkimer County.  Mrs. Roberts' father
was very young when his parents brought him to New York, and he was reared
and married in Herkimer County.  He subsequently came to Otsego County, and
resided on the farm that he bought in the town of Otsego until his demise,
October 29, 1872.  His wife, a native of the town of Stark, Herkimer County,
was Anna Smith before her marriage, and was a daughter of William and Katie
(Bourst) Smith, who were natives respectively of Herkimer and Schoharie
Counties.  The mother of Mrs. Roberts now lives at Mohawk, Herkimer County.
She has reared ten children, as follows:  Sylvester S., Emily A., James M.,
laura J., Sanford S., John W., Esther M., Mary C., Elmer J. and Cora R.
 
Our subject and his wife have three children Eva E., Homer Guy and Myrtle J. Mr. 
and Mrs. Roberts are universally esteemed throughout the community where they 
have always lived, for those fine traits of character that are manifest in their 
courteous intercourse with all the helpfulness and kindly consideration for 
others; and in their culture, which gives them a broad outlook on life.  They are 
attendants at the Universalist Church, in full sympathy with its tenets, and cordially 
supporting its good work.  Politically, Mr. Roberts is a democrat.