Ora Lee Roby

The following sketch is taken from History of Kentucky, Volume 5 by William Elsey Connelley and Ellis Merton Coulter; Judge Charles Kerr, editor. The volume is copyright 1922 by American Historical Society. This sketch is on page 403.

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Ora Lee Roby. Trained faculties and an enlightened understanding, in these modern days, contribute materially to individual success, and more and more is the world at large asking for educated men not only for the accepted professions, but also for those along agricultural lines and in the field of public life. The trained thinker is demanded for the deciding of public questions which, while they may be perplexing to the general public, must be clear to the lawmaker. Thus it is seen that the work of the educator is becoming increasingly important and that only men of sound ability should be placed in positions where they are called upon to accept the responsibility for the education of the youth of our land. In Ora Lee Roby, Bullitt County has a County Superintendent of Schools whose long experience, thorough training and natural abilities qualify him thoroughly for the discharge of the duties of his position and in support of this statement is given the evidence of the elevated standards and increased efficiency of the school system in the county during his regime.

Mr. Roby was born on a farm in Bullitt County, Kentucky, September 15, 1881, a son of William J. and Joan (Hibbs) Roby, natives of the same county. His paternal grandfather was William Roby, who was born in Virginia, while his maternal grandparents were Isaac C. and Annie Elizabeth (Goldsmith) Hibbs, natives of Kentucky. William J. Roby was a farmer during his earlier years, but eventually disposed of his property and turned his attention to salesmanship, in which he spent the closing period of his life. Mrs. Roby, who survives her husband, is a resident of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. She and her husband were the parents of two sons and one daughter.

The eldest of his parents' children, Ora Lee Roby was reared on farms in Kentucky and Missouri in his boyhood, and his education was acquired in the rural and town schools, several normal schools and a Baptist Co-Educational College, at Bardstown, Kentucky. After leaving the latter, at the age of twenty-four years, he adopted the profession of teaching, and has been engaged in educational work ever since. Mr. Roby served his apprenticeship in the rural districts of this state, but after his probationary period was over his abilities were recognized and his appointments became more important in character. Eventually, in 1911, he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools of Bullitt County, a post which he has since filled to the entire satisfaction of the people of this locality. He is earnest, enthusiastic and energetic in his methods, practical in his aims and successful in the application of his principles. In his work he is able to secure the co-operation of his fellow-workers, the teachers, and this spirit of helpfulness has done much to raise the standards and to advance the general system. Mr. Roby is a democrat in his political views, is a Master Mason fraternally, and in his religious connection belongs to the Baptist denomination. Since locating at Shepherdstown [sic] he has made and retained numerous warm friendships.

Mr. Roby was married in 1908 to Miss Cora B. Hardy, daughter of George W. Hardy, for a number of years a prominent merchant at Pitts Point, Kentucky. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Roby was engaged in educational work for several years, and still takes a great interest therein, in that way being of material assistance to her husband.

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