Who's Who in Texas - edited by Emory E. Bailey, p. 155 
(C. Avis Catalog entry #64) 
 

MARTIN BOWERS ROBERSON, ranchman and cattle man: was born in Eliasville, near Graham, Texas, on August 24, 1859, the son of Sharp and Rebecca (Kennedy) Roberson, both natives of Tennessee. The family moved to Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where Mr. Roberson's father was engaged as a farmer, stockman, wheelwright, and carpenter.

Returning to his native state at the age of seventeen, Mr. Roberson, who became more generally known to his friends and acquaintances as "Mart" Roberson, became interested in the cattle and ranching industry and during the remainder of his life was active in the various phases of that field of endeavor. His first connection after his return to Texas was as an employee of his two cousins who were owners of the H. & N. Ranch near Olney, Texas. It was during this time that Mr. Roberson pioneered in the driving of cattle to the northern markets. The first drive he made, however, was not successful be cause of a shortage of feed. The herd of one thousand steers was almost a total loss. Some years later he made several successful trips from North Texas to the shipping points in Kansas.

After leaving the ranch near Olney, Mr. Roberson came to Wichita Falls, Texas, and remained there a short time before going to Greer County, which was at that time a part of Texas but now a part of Oklahoma, as a result of various border changes. There he became associated with the Franklin Land & Cattle Company and spent several successful years in that connection. In 1885, as a result of Mr. Roberson's rapidly growing reputation for practical knowledge and executive ability, he was placed in charge of the Foster-Ikard & Phelps Cattle Company, in the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Later he also became manager of Davidson's Ranch in Clay County, Texas, and was there for six years. Again broadening his interest in the cattle business, Mr. Roberson became a partner and had charge of the Wilson Ranch in Archer County, Texas, and the two Wilson Ranches in New Mexico, one at Texaco and the other at Ft. Sumner. He continued in this capacity until 1917, at which time he established his own cattle business, with headquarters in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Although his extensive cattle and ranching interests occupied the majority of his time and attention, he took an active part in the civic growth and development of Wichita Falls, and was a generous contributor to many worthy causes. When the Golden Jubilee was held in that city, September 26-28, 1932, the Roberson family was honored as an important factor in the development of the country from an uninhabited and new land into its present place of prestige.

When Mr. Roberson passed away on April 24, 1934, his death was deeply mourned throughout the entire state. His kindly, wholesome personality won for him many friends by whom he was held in the highest esteem.

He was married in Henrietta, Texas, on November 12, 1885, to Miss Nora Herring. Mrs. Roberson is a daughter of Harry Herring, a well known lawyer of Savannah, Tennessee, and Martha (Broyles) Herring. Her mother moved to Texas with her two children when Mrs. Roberson was four years of age. The trip was made via wagon train from Little Rock, Arkansas, and had seventeen wagons in the company. Mr. and Mrs. Roberson became the parents of the following children: Clyde, who is married and lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is the father of one son, Clyde, Jr.; Harry, of Durango, Colorado, who is married and the father of two children, Jeanne and Carolyn; Jennie, who is supervisor of art in the public schools of Wichita Falls and who resides with her mother in the family home; Gladys, now Mrs. Jake Avis of Austin, Texas, and the mother of one son, Jake, Jr.; and Zola, now Mrs. R. H. Gracey and the mother of two children, Jeanne and Nancy Ann. There were two other children, Martin (deceased at the age of two), and one child who died in infancy.