NameWilliam “Clark” Roberts
Birth12 Aug 1850, Grayson Co., Virginia
Death8 Jan 1939, Big Creek, Logan Co., West Virginia
FatherMinetry Roberts (~1825-1869)
MotherEuphamy Combs (~1823-<1865)
Marriage3 Dec 1902 (license), Rowan Co., Kentucky
SpouseMary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Winkleman
Birth30 Jul 1876, Elliott Co., Kentucky
Death3 Apr 1904, Rowan Co., Kentucky
FatherJohn T. Winkleman (~1854-<1900)
MotherCharity Shouse (~1845-)
Notes for William “Clark” Roberts
According to Hall family tradition, Clark Roberts was a brother of Susan Roberts who married John M. Hall. This tradition is supported by the fact that the John M. Hall and Clark Roberts families are adjacent in the 1880 census, and that Clark and both of his parents were born in Virginia, as is true of the Minetry Clark family. But the 1860 census for Minetry Roberts shows no son named Clark. It shows a son named Isaac age 6 and one named James age 4, but both of those are listed separately in 1880. The other son of Minetry Roberts listed in 1860 under 10 was a son William, age 9. There is no William Roberts in 1870 in Rowan, Bath, Morgan or surrounding counties. Finally, the marriage license for his second marriage refers to him as William Clark Roberts. I think together all of this is pretty good evidence that the Clark Roberts who was listed as 25 in the 1880 census with wife Sarah is the same person as William Roberts son of Minetry.

His death certificate records Clark Roberts, age 91 years 4 months 27 days, born 12 Aug 1847 in Virginia, died 8 Jan 1939 in Big Creek, Logan Co., W. Va., residence Wharton, Boone Co., W. Va., married, husband of Josie Roberts, farmer, father Minter Roberts, mother’s maiden name not known, cause of death lobar pneumonia, informant Claud Roberts, Wharton, W. Va., burial in Morehead, Ky.

The birthdate and reported age are incorrect, since he was not listed in the 1950 census at all, and his age was given as 9 in the 1960 census.

The Rowan County News of Jan. 19, 1939 contains this notice of his death: “Funeral Rites Held For Former Pioneer Citizen - Clark Roberts, 91, Dies At West Virginia Home Funeral Conducted Here - Funeral rites for Clark Roberts, 91, pioneer citizen of Eastern Kentucky, who died at his home on Big Creek, W. Va., were conducted here last week with burial in the Baldwin cemetery in Morgan Fork. Funeral rites were conducted by Rev. T. F. Lyons and Rev. Henry Hall. Surviving are his wife and 22 children and about 60 grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is the grandfather of Eddie Roberts and the grandfather of Mrs. Woodrow Horn.”

I only know of 21 children, of whom at least four predeceased him. I may well have missed a few, but I don’t think there is room to fit five more children who survived to adulthood yet appeared in no censuses. So most likely the obituary is in error and he was the father of 22 children, not all of whom were surviving.
Notes for Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Winkleman
The annual report of deaths to the Kentucky state auditor for 1904 lists Eliza Roberts, age 26, married, died 3 April 1904 in Morgan Co., cause of death neuralgia, born in Morgan Co., daughter of J. T. Winkleman, both parents born in Morgan Co.
Census
1880 census of Elliott Co., Ky, Devils Fork precinct, enumerated 10 June, lists on p. 9 as family #67/68:
Winkleman, John T., 26, b. Ohio Pa Pa, farmer; Charity, 35, wife, b. Tenn Tenn Tenn; Mary E., dau, 4, b. Ky Ohio Tenn.
Notes for William “Clark” & Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Family)
Rowan Co. Ky marriage book 4, p. 373 records license issued for marriage to be on 3 Dec 1902 of William Clark Roberts, age 50, second marriage, farmer, residence Blairs Mill, born and both parents born in Virginia, to Mary L. Maze, 25, second marriage, residence Morehead, born and mother born in Elliott Co., father born Osley Co. (Owsley). No return.

I do not know of any children born to this marriage, but it is possible that they had one or two children who were raised by relatives of Lizzie’s or who died in infancy.
Last Modified 23 Dec 2012Created 21 Feb 2014 using Reunion for Macintosh