Virgil Roberts
Encyclopedia
Virgil Roberts was an American
train dispatcher
, farmer and Democratic
politician and legislator from Wisconsin
.
, Roberts was a train dispatcher
and farmer. Later, Roberts served as a bank director. Roberts was rejected for military service during World War II
, because of a heart problem, but help the war effort by being a train dispatcher and worked for 37 years. He became interested in public service when he took a course at what is now Winona State University
. He served on the local school board.
(he was an unsuccessful nominee for the Wisconsin State Senate
in the 1984 election). He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
train dispatcher
Train dispatcher
A train dispatcher is employed by a railroad to direct and facilitate the movement of trains over an assigned territory, which is usually part, or all, of a railroad operating division. In Canada the train dispatcher is known as the rail traffic controller...
, farmer and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician and legislator from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
Background
Born in Mindoro, WisconsinMindoro, Wisconsin
Mindoro is a small unincorporated community in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, in the town of Farmington. It is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Landmarks:...
, Roberts was a train dispatcher
Train dispatcher
A train dispatcher is employed by a railroad to direct and facilitate the movement of trains over an assigned territory, which is usually part, or all, of a railroad operating division. In Canada the train dispatcher is known as the rail traffic controller...
and farmer. Later, Roberts served as a bank director. Roberts was rejected for military service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, because of a heart problem, but help the war effort by being a train dispatcher and worked for 37 years. He became interested in public service when he took a course at what is now Winona State University
Winona State University
Winona State University is a comprehensive public university in Winona, Minnesota, United States, a college and river town located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, with around 8,900 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students...
. He served on the local school board.
Legislative service
From 1971 until 1985 and then from 1987 until 1993, Roberts served in the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
(he was an unsuccessful nominee for the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
in the 1984 election). He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
.