Not to be confused with John Roberts.

Civil War: Company D, 1st Battalion, California Cavalry

Comrade, Frank Bartlett Post, No. 6, G.A.R., Los Angeles, California

Juan Robarts y Vallejo was born at Sonoma, Alta California, México, in 1843. He was the son of John "Juan" Robarts (born Somerset, England) and Inés Vallejo y Lugo(?). Juan became a U.S. citizen with the transfer of California's sovereignty in 1848 and soon became known as "John." During the Civil War John enlisted as a sergeant at Los Angeles September 4, 1864. He was mustered into Company D, 1st Battalion, Native California Cavalry, at Drum Barracks, September 20, 1864. He gave his occupation as miner. John was 21 years old and 5 feet 8 inches tall with a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair. At his enlistment John gave his birthplace as "Winchester, Hampshire, England," but later indicated he was born in "Somerset County, England," his father's birthplace (However, this conflicts with his pension records, voter registration, and obituaries, which all indicate he was born in Sonoma, California). He was appointed 1st sergeant May 1, 1865, but reduced to the ranks for two weeks by sentence of a Garrison Court-Martial for being absent without leave June 30, 1865. He was re-appointed 1st sergeant July 14, 1865. First Sergeant Robarts was posted to Fort Mason, Arizona, from September 1865 until January 1866. He was mustered out at Drum Barracks March 20, 1866 (Evans, 596; Orton, 317). After the war he remained in Los Angeles County. According to Los Angeles County Great Registers from 1866 to 1890, he indicated he was a "native of California" and "naturalized by treaty in 1848."

John Roberts [sic], age 27 years and single, occupation [County] Deputy Assessor [1870-73], was enumerated at Los Angeles in the 1870 U. S. Census. His birthplace appears as California and that census indicated that his father was foreign born, that the value of his personal property was $500, and he was eligible to vote (1870 U.S. Census). He also served as Los Angeles City Assessor 1871-72 (Los Angeles Herald, Mar. 2, 1889; 10:2).

John married (1) Francisca Dominga Ávila y Romero (born Oct. 5, bap. Oct. 6, 1856 [LA Baptism 1431 per Gostin, pp. 50-51]) at Los Angeles on April 24, 1876. Francisca was the daughter of Pedro Antonio Ávila y Ruíz (SG Baptism 07120) and María Concepción Romero y Lisalde (LA Baptism 00944) (LA Casamiento 01417). Francisca died before 1880, apparently childless.

After passing the State Bar Examination, John Robarts applied to be admitted to practice. His application was received in the District Court of Judge Ygnacio Sepúlveda August 28, 1879. Isaac Hartman and C. E. Thorn, Esquires, were appointed Examining Committee, with Thorn later replaced by John Mansfield (Los Angeles Herald, Aug. 29, 1879, 3:3; Sep. 18, 1879, 3:4). He was admitted to the bar and became a partner at Eastman, Haley, King & Robarts, whose offices were in the Strelitz Block on Spring Street, Los Angeles, in 1879 (Herald, Oct. 1, 1879, 2:5). Attorney Robarts is mentioned by Paul Bryan Gray in his 'Forester vs. Pico, The Struggle for the Rancho Santa Margarita' (Spokane, WA: The Arthur H. Clark Co., 1998: 123).

John was charged with 'Assault with a deadly weapon' after a confrontation in a barbershop on February 3, 1883, that led to a gunshot wound to the hand of Colonel Walter S. Moore, who had intervened to prevent Robarts from shooting Thomas O'Campo after O'Campo insulted Robarts (Los Angeles Herald, Vol. 18, No. 142, Sunday, February 4, 1883; 3:7). Apparently acquitted of this charge, he shortly thereafter formed a law partnership with "Colonel" [James G.] Howard in 1883 that ended upon Howard's death in September 1890. John Robarts served as one of Howard's pall bearers.

John Robarts joined the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans' organization. He was listed as a member of Frank Bartlett Post, No. 6, Grand Army of the Republic, Los Angeles, California (Register of the Department of California, G.A.R., 1886).

John Robarts married (2) the widow María del Refugio de la Luz Domínguez y López de Reyes in Los Angeles on April 25, 1888, and became the stepfather of her 7 surviving children. They never had any children of their own. Later that same year Robarts formed a partnership with Henry Tifft Gage. They had their law office on the Wilcox Block, Los Angeles (Lawyers Directory for California, compiled by J. S. Williams 1889; pg. 36). After María Refugio's death the following year in June 1889, John married (3) Leonides Machado y Chapman at Los Angeles August 4, 1890, with whom he had two children.

John provided the following information in a disposition supporting a pension application for the widow of Sergeant Francisco Gómez, dated November 24, 1891: "My name is John Robarts, age 48 years, occupation Attorney-at-Law, post office address 138½ N. Spring St., Los Angeles, Cal. I served during the late war in Company D, 1st Battalion, Native Cal. Cav., and was discharged as Orderly Sergeant."

John Robarts, age 51 years, died unexpectedly July 17, 1894, at Phoenix House, North Spring Street. His private residence at the time of his death was 143 W. 24th Street. His death records indicated that he was born in California, married, color White, and that he was an 8-[sic, 28-]year resident of Los Angeles County. The cause of his death was heart disease. He was buried at Rosedale Cemetery July 20, 1894. (Death Records, Los Angeles County Recorder). Two years after his death his stepson Juan "John" Ranolfo Reyes y Domínguez married Robarts' widow, Leonides Machado, on June 27, 1896, thereby becoming the stepfather of his own half brother and half sister, Thomas and Emily Reyes, and step brother and step sister, Rafael and Laura Robarts.
---
PROMINENT ATTORNEY A VICTIM OF HEART DISEASE
John Robarts, a leading attorney of this city, was found dead in his office chair in the Vickery Block [sic] this morning at 7:30 by the janitor. Mr. Robarts was seated in his chair; his coat was lying on a table nearby, his shirt open at the throat, a glass of water on a chair near him. He was still warm, showing life, but was extinct. Mr. Robarts was last seen by his wife at 1 o'clock yesterday. At 9 p.m. he sent word he would not be at home at night, that he was going to the Hammam baths. Mrs. Robarts did not see him again until summoned this morning to find him dead. At the coroner's office this morning a verdict of fatty degeneration of the heart was brought in by the jury. Mr. Robarts has been long a resident of Los Angeles. He was born in Sonoma County in 1843. He commenced practicing law in 1882 with the firm of Eastman, Hawley, King, & Robarts. He was afterwards partner of the late Jim G. Howard, Judge Robertson, Henry T. Gage, and D. L. Russell. He leaves a wife and two children, who reside at 143 Twenty-fourth Street. Mr. Robarts was in the Army during the civil war. He served in the California Hundred [sic, Native Cavalry]. He carried a heavy insurance on his life. He was insured in the Banker's Alliance for $10,000; in the Maccabees for $3,000; in the Foresters for $2,000 and in the Northwestern Mutual for $5,000. Appropriate action will be taken by the Los Angeles bar today, which deceased was a respected member.
(Daily Journal [LA], July 18, 1894, 1:3)
---
HEART FAILURE, SUDDEN DEATH OF JOHN ROBARTS, THE ATTORNEY, AT HIS OFFICE
John Robarts, a well-known attorney of this city, died suddenly while seated in a chair in his office at No. 138½ North Spring Street early this morning. Death was due to heart failure. When Charles F. Simonds, the janitor of the Wilcox Block, entered Mr. Robert's office as usual about 7:30 o'clock, to put it in order for the day, the deceased was seated in an armchair with his coat off and a glass of water near at hand, but quite dead. The body was still warm showing that life had been extinct only a few moments. Simonds at once gave the alarm and Dr. Nadeau was called in, but could only confirm the fact of his death. The remains were then removed to the undertaking parlors of Orr & Bird where the Coroner's inquest was held at 11 o'clock. The evidence introduced disclosed the fact that Mr. Roberts, after spending the night at Hammam baths, had gone to his office as usual at an early hour in the morning. He must have died almost immediately upon his arrival there, and the verdict rendered by the coroner's jury was that death was caused by the fatty degeneration of his heart. He leaves a widow and two little children who reside at No. 143 Twenty-fourth Street. The deceased was a native son and was born in Sonoma county in 1843. He served in the California Hundred [sic, Native Cavalry] during the civil war and was a member of the G.A.R. In 1872 [sic] he began practicing law and has since been a member of the Los Angeles Bar. Mr. Robarts life was insured for $20,000, principally in the Banker's Alliance, Northwestern Mutual, the Maccabees and Foresters.
(Times [Los Angeles], July 18, 1894, 10:2)
---
DEATHS.
Los Angeles.
John Roberts [sic, Robarts], a well-known attorney of this city, was found dead in his office this morning. He was seen on the street half an hour before, apparently well. Roberts was one time associated with Henry T. Gage. A prominent lawyer and politician, and in the early days in this county Roberts was one of the leading spirits here.
(San Francisco Call, July 18, 1894, 4:4)
---
Children:
(with [1] Francisca Dominga Ávila y Romero)
NONE

(Step Children with [2] Refugio Domínguez; father: Angel Reyes)
- Francisco León "Frank" REYES (Apr. 11, 1865-Aug. 1, 1930; m. Nov. 25, 1916 Orange Co., Marie S. Schumacher [Nov. 16, 1872, IN-Apr. 26, 1961, CA])
- María Antonia Christina REYES (Oct. 25, bap. Nov. 25, 1866, LAPC-1902; m. S. Watson)
- José Manuel Ignacio REYES (Jul. 21, bap. Oct. 11, 1868, LAPC-After Apr. 1888)
- María Ysidra "Sadie" REYES (May 20, bap. Jun. 27, 1870, LAPC-Nov. 1, 1950, LA Co, CA)
- Juan Ranolfo "John" REYES (1872-1942; m. Leonides Machado de Robarts)
- Adela Taritia REYES (1874-1911; m. C. Randolph)
- Rosario Francis (1875-1948; m. William John Vejar; ch: Reggie Vejar [1899-1969])

(Step children with [2] Refugio Domínguez; father: unknown; assumed surname "Reyes"; both born Los Angeles)
- Thomas Stephen REYES (Mar. 1878-Aug. 1943)
- Emily REYES (Nov. 1883-Jan. 1946)

(with [3] Leonides Machado y Chapman; both born Los Angeles)
- Rafael (June 1891-19??; m. Margaret Ward)
- Laura A. (Oct. 1892-Oct 23, 1925, Taft, CA; m. Frederick Irving Fleharty [1886, KS-Feb 13, 1930, LA Co.])

Biography by Steve