George H. Webb

WEBB, BANNING, HOGGERMANN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 12:56:53

GEORGE H. WEBB.
No man was ever more respected and none more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held than George H. Webb, now deceased, who was actively engaged in farming in Van Buren township. Having come to Jackson county in pioneer days, his diligent work contributed to small part toward developing this section of the state and the tenor of his life was such as made for a higher standard of manhood and citizenship. Nor did he fail the nation in its hour of need, but when there was call for brave men he left his work and his home and went forth to danger or death upon the battlefields of the south. Indeed, in every relation, he measured up to high ideals, and his memory is enshrined in the minds of the citizens of Van Buren township, where the greater part of his life was passed.
A native of the state of New York, he was born in Essex county, near Lake Champlain, July 24, 1836. His father, Harvey Webb, was born in Vermont and was a physician well known in that state and in New York. He believed, however, that life farther west would be more to his liking and accordingly came to Jackson county, Iowa, reaching Maquoketa township May i, 1846. He settled there, being one of the pioneers of that section, and there resided for about a decade, when he sold his farm and went to Nebraska. After a few years, however, he returned to Iowa, taking up his residence in Page county, where he spent the remainder of his life.
George H. Webb remained at home until he was twenty years of age, assisting his father in the work on the home farm and obtaining a fair education in the district schools of the township. Having been about ten when his parents removed to this county, he well remembered the tedious journey from his native state and the many hardships attendant upon the pioneer life of Jackson county. Conditions had much improved, however, by the time he reached his majority and when his father went to Nebraska he remained, finding employment at farm work in this county. He was frugal as well as industrious and invested in land in Van Buren township and also bought some property in Clinton county. He was married in 1859 and, bringing his bride to his farm in the former locality, he cultivated the place until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was a participant in the siege of Vicksburg and in a number of other notable engagements, among them being Arkansas Post, Champion's Hill, Port Gibson and Lookout Mountain, and he never faltered in the performance of any duty, his valor and loyalty inspiring those who served beside him. Nor was he ever absent from roll call during the entire time he was in the service, but with a most creditable military record he was mustered out July 2, 1865.
When the nation no longer needed his aid, Mr. Webb returned to his home in Van Buren township, and as the years passed carefully, systematically and successfully carried on farming until his death, which was brought about by an attack of a vicious bull. There was no esoteric phase in his life and there was no ostentation, but the work of each day was performed conscientiously, the broad expanse of his fields indicating his success as judged by worldly standards, while the respect of many friends manifested the more durable and enviable success of years well spent.
On the 28th of October, 1859, Mr. Webb was married to Miss Ellen Banning, a daughter of Nelson Banning, who was born in Monroe county, New York, October 4, 1818, and came to Jackson county, Iowa. April 22, 1844. One daughter, Ida, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Webb, but she died September 28, 1877, and they adopted a son, Leigh W. Webb, who is living on the home
farm with Mrs. Webb. He married Miss Minnie Hoggermann and they have two children: George H. and Leroy.
Mr. Webb was always a stalwart champion of the republican party, although he never desired public office in recognition of party fealty. He was a noble exemplar of the principles and ideals of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and filled all the chairs in that society, and as a member of Miles Post, G. A. R., with his fellow soldiers revived the memories of war days. His was throughout an earnest and consistent Christian life, and the many who knew him only at a distance, as well as those who were near to him, respected him and realized that in his death the county lost one of her esteemed citizens.
-History of Jackson County, Iowa, J. W. Ellis, 1910