From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 803-805
 
HENRY ANTON ROBERS.  Among the strong and influential citizens of the eastern 
part of Walworth county whose lives have become an essential part of the 
history of this section, Henry A. ROBERS, one of the leading farmers and stock 
men of Lyons township, occupies a prominent place and for years has exerted a 
beneficial influence in the locality honored by his residence.  His everyday 
common sense, persistence and honesty of purpose have enable him to advance 
his own interests and also largely to contribute to the material and moral as 
well as civic advancement of the county.
 
Mr. ROBERS as born at Burlington, Wisconsin, November 2, 1855, and is the son 
of Herman and Mary (EFFING) ROBERS.  Both parents came to Burlington in an 
early day and here followed farming the rest of their lives, and there Henry 
A. ROBERS grew to manhood and was educated, living at home until his marriage, 
on June 24, 1879, to Anna GIES, daughter of Lorenz and Elizabeth (GIES) GIES; 
although of the same name, they were no relation.  Mrs. ROBERS was born on the 
home farm in Lyons township.  Her parents were born and reared in Kur-Hessen, 
Germany, and married there in 1839, emigrating to America bout 1841 and 
located in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where they 
entered land from the government, which they later sold and moved to Lyons 
township, entering one hundred and sixty-one acres in section 23, of that 
township, from the government.  This land has never been out of the family 
from that time to this.  The death of Mr. GIES occurred in 1865, his widow 
surviving until January 24, 1889.  Their family consisted of eight children, 
namely: Frank died when twelve years old; Catherine is the widow of John HACK 
and lives in Lyons; Mary died when six years old; Susan died when four years 
of age; John died in infancy; the sixth child, a son, also died in infancy, as 
did also Pater, the next in order of birth; Anna, wife of Mr. ROBERS of this 
sketch, was the youngest of the family.
 
The parents of the above-named children were true pioneers.  Mr. GIES built a 
log cabin upon his arrival here which was the family home for some time until 
a better could be built and the place generally improved.  Their neighbors 
were few and remote, and the wide-stretching forests were filled with wild 
animals, wolves, lynxes, panthers, deer, etc.  The roads over the country were 
little more than Indian trails.  Oxen traveling so slowly the family preferred 
walking long distances, even to Milwaukee, whither Mrs. GIES made a number of 
trips afoot, caring eggs to market.  Once she was pursued by a panther, having 
a very narrow escape, barely reaching a settler's cabin before the beast 
overtook her.  Indians frequently came to their home, begging for something to 
eat. The GIES family moved from their log cabin into the stone house which 
they built about twelve years after they took up their residence in the 
wilderness here, in due course of time having a comfortable home and a good 
farm.  Mrs. ROBERS' parents both plowed with eight yoke of oxen, breaking new 
ground, he driving the oxen while she held the plow handles.  They endured the 
usual hardships and privations incident to pioneer life.  The death of Mr. 
GIES occurred in 1865, his widow surviving until 1888.
 
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. ROBERS lived on a farm immediately south of 
that of her father in section 23, owning one hundred and thirty-nine acres 
there, on which they remained until 1906, successfully engaged in general 
farming and stock raising.
 
Seven children have been born to Henry A. ROBERS and wife, named as follows: 
Elizabeth, died August 20, 1896, when sixteen years old; Louis, who rents the 
farm on which his parents lived so many years, married Agnes BURGETT, a native 
of Minnesota, and they have one son, Irvin; Lornse, who is farming with his 
brother Louis, married a sister of the latter's wife, Gertrude BURGETT, and 
they have two children, Odelia and Evaline; George is at home with his 
parents; Anna married John ELEN and lives in Lyons; Henry and Friedland are 
both at home.
 
Mr. and Mrs. ROBERS now live on the farm her parents entered from the 
government in section 23 Lyons township, owning three hundred acres of 
valuable, productive land which they have kept well improved and in a high 
state of cultivation.  They and their children belong to the Catholic church, 
and the family stands high in all circles in the community.
 
Submitted by Carol