Archibald L. Roberts

Archibald L. "Arch" Roberts was born August 1862, in Arkansas, the son of Henry Roberts and Rebecca Jane Holden.   Henry Roberts was born about 1838, in Arkansas and died of measles in Februaby 1863, while stationed at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, during the Civil War.  Rebecca Holden was born about 1826, in Tennessee and died about 1905, in Stone County, the daughter of Archibald Holden and Jemima (last name unknown).   Archibald Roberts was probably named for his grandfather, Archibald Holden.

Arch married Josephine Victoria Cole on December 22, 1880, in Stone County, Arkansas. Josephine Cole was born February 1862, in Izard County, Arkansas, the daughter of John Cole and Permelia Catharine George.

The story has been told that Arch and one of his Holden cousins was making moonshine whiskey. It has been speculated that Holden got picked up by the sheriff and Arch thought he was about to get caught, so he left his family and ran away so the law couldn't get him.    Whatever the case, Arch left Josephine and their two children between 1884 and abt 1889. 

Arch married Melissa (last name unknown) about 1890.   Melissa was born January 1860, in Indiana according to census. 

Arch appears on the 1900 Sebastian County, Arkansas, census as Arch Robards.  With him on the census was his wife, Milissa and Isaac Posey, age 20, who is listed as a servant. Arch was living near his uncle, Aaron Holden, and his family.

Josephine appears on the 1900 Stone County, Arkansas, census in Sylamore Township. The census shows Josephine Roberts, head, 38, born February 1862, in Arkansas, widowed, given birth to 2 children, 2 children still living; William H., son, 18, born January 1882, in Arkansas, and Elizabeth, daughter, 16, born April 1884, in Arkansas. They were living next door to Josephine's sister, Sarah Delilah Ingram and her family.

The 1910 LeFlore County, Oklahoma, census shows Arch and his family living at Shady Point.  His wife was listed as Elissia on the census.  Also living with them was Jessie H. Holt, age 57, husband of Betty (Holden) Holt, who was a first cousin to Arch.

 The 1920 Jackson County, Arkansas census, Bird Township, shows Josephine living with her daughter Dorothy and her family.  The census shows Oliver Sutterfield, 37, a farmer; Dorothy, wife, 36; Aughtsie (her name was Augustie), daughter, 14; Maudie, daughter, 11; Virgil, son, 6; Irvin, son, 4 and Victoria Roberts, mother-in-law, 56, widow. 

The 1930 Fulton County, Arkansas census, Pleasant Ridge Township, shows Josephine living with her son Henry and his family.  The census shows Henry J. Roberts, 48, a farmer; Atha, wife, 30; H. Howard, son, 9; Ruth A., daughter, 5; Ruby E., daughter, 4 1/2; Hubert R., son,  10 mo; J. Victora Roberts, mother, 68, widow and Nancy Brewer, niece, 14 years old.

Josephine's brother-in-law, William James Roberts, never married and was said to have helped Josephine raise her children after Arch left her.

Josephine died after 1930.

Children of Archibald Roberts and Josephine Cole