My Family Tree

from http://members.tripod.com/debmurray/indybios/gibbioref.htm
W. L. McROBERTS, of Washington township, ex-County Commissioner of Gibson County, and a gentleman whose social and business ties bind him to his neighbors and friends closer than a brother, is a successful farmer, a useful citizen and a Christian man. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, August 8, 1837. In the year 1840 his father, the late David McRoberts, left the old Ohio home and turned his head toward the Hoosier state and stopped only when he had set foot upon the soil of this county. In his young days he was employed upon a canal in Ohio, and while so engaged his "boss" proposed to sell him a ninety-acre tract of land which he owned in Indiana, and this proposition led to its purchase and to the removal of the family to Gibson County. He lived and labored on this farm till 1870, when he died. He was born in New York in 1805. His wife, nee Rebecca Abbott, died in 1873. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom the following are living: Lucy, widow of Jerry Hillman; A. D.; Barnard; William L.; and Marinda, wife of Calvin Minnier. The paternal grandfather of these children was David McRoberts, a soldier of the war of 1812. Their mother's people, the Abbotts, were from the State of Maryland. Our subject was educated in the common schools. He began life for himself at twenty-two as a farmer. He was married in 1861 to Mrs. Mary France, daughter of James Kirk. They have reared their family on their present beautiful homestead, made so by their own efforts. Their children are: William A., who married Cynthia Hoover; Ambrose U., whose wife was Ella Finney; Ethel D. O. Mr. McRoberts is a staunch Republican, and was elected Commissioner in 1888 and served six years, succeeding Josiah Kightly. The board of which he was a member finished paying off the indebtedness contracted by the building of the court house, bought the county farm of 208 acres and improved it. All his public acts were such as to meet the just approval of the public and he retired from the office with the best wishes of a grateful populace. Mr. McRoberts has been for many years engaged in ministerial work on behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His work has been largely that of a supply in this and the adjoining counties, and his sermons and work have been of such character as to mark him as a sincere and earnest Christian worker.

Submitted by: Terry Nolcox
History of Gibson County, Indiana. Elia W. Peattie. 1897. Page 147-148.

Another biography references family in "History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions"