Wichita Falls Times 10-14-1956
(C. Avis Catalog entry #623)
Pioneer Rancher's Widow Dies Here
Funeral services for 90-year-old Mrs. Mart Roberson, pioneer of this area, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Floral Heights Methodist Church.
She died early Sunday morning at her home at 3012 Speedway.
She was described recently as "typical of pioneers who opened the way for the modern civilization of Texas." Mrs. Roberson and her husband, who died in 1934, long were known as leaders in the cattle business in Texas.
Mrs. Roberson had lived in Clay, Archer and Wichita Counties since coming to this area 77 years ago.
The Mart Robersons were recognized by fellow North Texans for their role in the history of this area when special tribute was paid them at the 50th anniversary celebration of Wichita Falls in. 1932.
Dr. Earl Hoggard, pastor, will officiate at the funeral services. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery directed by Hampton-Vaughan-Merkle Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Oral Jones, Joe B. McNiel, Walter Morgan, Walter Ehlert Jr., Leon Denton, 1. W. Karrenbrock, P. S. Richardson, all of Wichita Falls, and Bruce Campbell of Knox City.
Survivors include three daughters, Miss Jennie Roberson of 3012 Speedway, director of art education in the Wichita Falls public schools; Mrs., Jake Avis and Mrs. R. H. Gracey, both of Austin; two sons, L. C. Roberson of Houston, and H. R., Roberson of Albuquerque, N. M.; one brother, R. B. Thompson of Pampa; six grandchildren, and 11 greatgrandchildren.
The administrative offices of the public schools will be closed from 9:45 a. m. until noon out of respect to public schools art director, Miss Roberson.
Mrs. Roberson, the former Nora Herring, was born Aug. 28, 1866, at Savannah, Tenn. She came to Grayson County, with her family at the age of four, in 1870. In 1879 the Herrings sought additional western territory, and moved to Henrietta where young Nora Herring met young Range Rider Mart Roberson.
When the Herrings came to Texas in 1870, they traveled from Memphis, Tenn., to, Little Rock, Ark., by train. There a train of 17 wagons was formed by this and other families who came to Sherman by this mode of travel. For many years Mrs. Roberson entertained friends and family by recalling numerous incidents of these pioneer times in Texas.
Nora Herring and Mart Roberson were married in 1885 and for a year following, Roberson worked with the Franklin Land and Cattle Company in Greer County - then a part of Texas, but now forming several Oklahoma counties. From there the couple went to the Indian Territory where they remained for some time while Roberson continued in the ranching business.
From there the couple moved to the Davis Ranch on Turkey Creek where they remained five years. Later they moved to the L. F. Wilson Ranch in Archer County, remaining there 10 years.
They then moved to Wichita Falls and until his death In 1934, Roberson remained active in the cattle industry. This pioneer cattleman had ranged the open country here more than half a century before that time, participating in long cattle drives north to market.
Mrs. Roberson shared in the pioneer life of her husband, often remaining behind at home for as long as six months at a time when he was riding herd in broad unfenced areas in Texas and Oklahoma.
Long a leader in her Floral Heights Methodist Church, Mrs. Roberson was elected official "mother" for the Women's Wesley Bible Class there several years ago.