John Roberts, son of Hugh and Mary Owens Roberts, was born March 16, 1849 at Eglwysbach, Wales. He was one of a family of ten children. During his childhood he worked with his brothers and sisters in assisting to support the family, often helping grandfather who was a shoemaker.
Grandfather and Grandmother, previous to my father's birth, had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, so as their children attained the proper age, they were baptized members of the same. My father received baptism at the hands of his father, Hugh Roberts on May 9, 1857 and was confirmed the same day by his father.
The persecutions of the saints in Wales had reached such a point that at times they were almost unbearable. Even their lives were sometimes in danger. Consequently, my father received very little education in the common schools, as he was molested terribly by his associates and he remained away from school to avoid their taunts. As a result, his schooling throughout his whole life was on of experience, but he was one who lived and learned.
When father was at the age of fifteen, grandfather emigrated to America, bringing with him grandmother and five children; Aunt Betsey and Aunt Margaret having previously come. Father was the only son in grandfather's family to come to Zion; Uncle Robert preferring to remain in Wales. Thus according to the patriarchal order, father became the head of the Hugh Roberts Family upon grandfather's death.
Grandfather's family arrived in Salt Lake City in the year 1864 after a hard and strenuous journey across the plains, my father having walked all the way. Times were hard during the first winter father hauled wood for a man, from a nearby canyon, taking every third load as his pay.
Circumstances grew no better by spring so grandfather decided to move his family to Smithfield, Utah, as conditions there seemed more favorable for making a living. At this place father was engaged mostly in farming and logging in the canyons. He always had time to perform his duties in the church, having taught the deacons for several years and was active as choir member. Father loved music very much. It was a natural gift and art which had been developed as a child in his home, as all Welsh children are taught good music from their infancy.
Father was ordained an Elder, May 16, 1868 by William White. Six years later on July 9, 1874 he married Eliza Marie Sorensen in the old Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Twelve Children were born thru this union.
On April 7, 1881 father married in the Endowment House, Fannie Lazell Akins. Polygamy was generally practiced throughout the Church at this time. Thirteen children were born to them. Plural marriage, being against the law, it became necessary for father and his families to seek new homes as the Untied States Marshals had been sent to molest and imprison all polygamists. Many were the nights father spent away from home in secret places to avoid them, even remaining in hiding for several days at a time.
To gain more security from the officers of the law, the family moved to Bear Lake Valley, Idaho, arriving there September 7, 1883. They located on a farm father had previously purchased which was then a part of the Liberty Ward, but came within the boundaries of the Lanark Ward when a division of the Ward was made.
Imagine if you can, their feelings as they arrived at their new home. It was eleven o'clock at night when they reached their journey's end. No one to greet or welcome them. They built a camp fire and ate a supper of hot milk and bread which had been purchased at Bishop Austin's on the way.
Their supplies had run low as they had been three days on the way. A rude house without doors or window sheltered them that night and amid the howls of coyotes on the near-by hills, they spent their first night on the now old ranch.
For along time one cow furnished a scanty supply of milk for the two families and their main diet besides milk consisted of bread, butter at times, and potatoes, with wild game occasionally. Sickness often came and even death, but thru their courage and faith they were able to withstand all of the trials.
The original farm was made up of 160 acres and purchased for around $400 to $500. Years later 320 acres were homesteaded above what was known as the Miles Creek Canal. Father spent all his spare time in the canyons getting our material for building barns, fences, corrals, ect. On the additional land father built one of the best farm houses in that part of the valley and out into it all the conveniences and comforts within his means. This was mother's first home after the original two-room log house in which both families lived several years. Father also purchased the Peter Beck home adjoining his land and Aunt Fannie lived there.
Father's first machinery consisted of a mower, a cradle, and a scythe. But at the time of the sale of his farm, he had every kind of farm implement and tool necessary to carry on the work of a modern up-to-date farm. The machinery was always the best and well cared for. Father was considered one of the most successful farmers in Bear Lake Valley. His crops were among the best and his livestock often won prizes at the county fairs.
For many years there was no money with which to transact business. Father often paid a bushel of wheat for a dance ticket. At one time father drove a herd of sheep thru the mountains to Smithfield to obtain money to liquidate some of his debts. Working-bees were organized among the neighbors for the purpose of building fences and other work.
As father became more prosperous he made yearly trips to Brigham City after fruit, requiring about a week to go and return. As a child I recall the thrill I would feel when I would see father returning with a load of fruit.
He also went regularly to Salt Lake to conference usually in the spring. Father always took one of the children on his trips until each had had his turn. Father hauled rock for building the Logan Temple and was present at the dedication of both the Logan and the Salt Lake Temples.
In the year 1900 Father built a reservoir on his land, enabling his to retain the spring flow for all his land especially his garden. He took great pride in this and often he would show visitors thru it pointing out the fact that there were few weeds. Many vegetables were sold in nearby towns, especially Montpelier.
When Lanark Ward was organized, Father was made leader if the choir, which position he held for many years. In the year 1900 father was ordained a High Priest, having been ordained a Seventy August 21, 1886 by Thomas Minson.
In the fall of 1902 father moved my mother to Paris, so that his children might have the opportunity of attending the Fielding Academy. Father was a firm believer in education and delighted in his children's scholastic attainments, four of them received college training.
Father joined the Bear Lake Stake Choir after moving to Paris. He had a wonderful bass voice, being able to sing lower than any one else in the choir. Father loved good music, he disliked ragtime and jazz. His idea of a pleasant evening was on of music, especially singing. All of his children are more or less musically inclined.
In the fall of 1917 father sold his farm to Ernest Hymas. Reuben, Milford, and Lyman had been called into the armies of the United States in World War I, and he could no longer run it without them. He purchased a home in Paris for Aunt Fannie and took a well-earned rest.
Father loved the Gospel and taught his children the principles of the Gospel and delighted when he saw his children in the line of duty.
Father was a large man, at one time he weighing as much as two hundred sixty pounds. He and mother made several trips to Salt Lake and Logan Temples and performed work for their kindred dead. It was in the fall of 1923 that his health broke down entirely. He had been suffering for many years from Bright's disease. He and mother had been to October conference in Salt Lake City, they stopped in Ogden to visit Milford and his family, then they came to our home and stayed for a week and he insisted on seeing Elsie in St. Anthony before returning home even though the physical strain was too severe for a man of 74. Shortly after they arrived home, he said to mother, "Well, I have been to see all my children living outside of Bear Lake and I feel that something is going to happen." Within a month he was dead. His old ailments appeared with complications and after less than one week of illness he passes away on December 3, 1923. During the last day or two his knowledge of the Welsh language, his mother tongue, came back to him and he talked fluently in Welsh as he had done as a boy.
He was a great man, a good neighbor and friend, a good husband and father. His great example will be felt.