The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-21
AN INpIANIAN SELECTED.
Rev. ID. #. Roberts, of Evansville, Appoint
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special 10 the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON. Nov 2O.-President Har-
rison to-day appointed the Rev. Dolphin p.
Roberts, of Evansville, the successor to the
Rev. J. NJ. Townsend. of Richmond, regis
ter of the General Land Office. The Rev.
Mr. Townsend resigned some weeks ago. to
take effect at the end of this month. Mr..
Roberts is a man of culture and high
character. and good representative of the
colored population in southern Indiana.
The New Recorder.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. Nov. 20.-The ap-
pointment of Rev. ID. z. Roberts to the
General Land Office recordership was un-
solicited by that gentleman. In fact, he
was for time unable to decide whether or
not to accept it. About week ago word
was received in this city that change was
about to be made in the Office to which he
has been appointed, and if a man could be
selected who would be acceptable to the
coIored people and others here the appoint
ment would come to Evansville. The
subject was generally canvassed, and
the unanimous selection of DR..
Roberts was made. He was then
accosted and the matter laid be-
fore him. He declined at first to con-
slider the matter. but the committee was
urgent. and he was given twenty-four
hours to decide. After sleeping on the sub
ject he came TO the conclusion that should
the appointment be given he would ac-
ceDt, with the understanding that If his
friends were unsuccessful the disappolnt-
ment would be theirs and not his. Now
that the appointment has come to him his
friends are much more elated than he is
In leaving here he relinqulshes not only a
lucrative medical practice. bnt also will be
forced To sever many close ties OF friend
ship made especially binding by his min
istry.
DIP Roberts was born in Hamilton county.
Indiana, on his fathers farm, March IL,
1852. There he remained until his nine
teenth year. serving his father on the farm
and gaining the rudiments of his education
in the free schools of his county. 1t was
always his ambition to gain an education
AMI enter professional life, and his thirst
for knowledge led hlm to hoard his earn
inns; so when ne had arrived at the age of
nineteen and announced his intention of
leaving the farm. his father objected
claiming that he was entitled to the boys
services until he was twenty-one years of
age. The son then proudly laid the price
of a mans wages in his fathers hand and
thus purchased his release.
At nineteen young Roberts entered Spice
land Academy. Quaker institution, whore
he completed i've years course. and was
Rrauuateu ihto tne ministry Mf. nOperts
first came to Evansville in 1882, and spent
two years here In the pastorate of Alexan-
der Chapel. While here he studied medi-
cine. and took two courses of lectures in
the Evansville Medical College.
Closing his pastorate here. he went to
Fremont-street Methodist Church, Indian
apolis, for two years. thence to Toledo.
Terre Haute. Richmond, and back to Evans
vile, where he is now serving his third
year at Mcfarland Chapel. In connection
with his ministerial duties Mr.. Roberts has
also practiced medicine and has lucrative
business in this line.
Mr.. Roberts has been twice married, his
first wife dying on the day after President
Harrison was elected. One year later he
was married at Richmond. Ind, to Miss
Mamie B. Gee Mr.. Roberts will leave for
Washington on receipt of his commission.