GEORGE H WEBB, b 24 Jul 1835

WEBB, REED, DUPREY, BANNING, WEBSTER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 07:12:33

It has come to pass that we find amid the farming community, some of the most intelligent men in the world, and among them may be properly classed the subject of this notice. He has ever delighted in watching the changes of the seasons, the spring opening from the stormy winter, and the green shoots developing into bud and flower. These things speak to him of a higher life to which he seems to be honestly attaining. He is a man practical in his business ideas, and thoroughly well informed, one who from his boyhood has made a companion of good books. such works as "Blaine's Twenty Years of Congress," "Grant's Memoirs," and scores of other first-class publications closely associated with Governmental affairs, find their way to his library. He is the owner of one of the finest farms in Van Buren Township, pleasantly located on section 17, and comprising 155 acres under a thorough state of cultivation. His improvements consist of good fences, a comfortable dwelling which is remarkably bright within, barns, sheds, and everything necessary for the prosperity of the modern agriculturist. The household is presided over by a most excellent and amiable lady who dispenses a graceful hospitality to both friend and stranger. The homestead with its appurtenances presents a delightful picture of rural life, and those most directly interested in it, count their friends by the score in this part of the county.

We will now glance at the paternal history of our subject, who was born July 24, 1835, in Essex Co., Maria Township, N.Y., his home lying near the shores of Lake Champlain. His father, Harvey Webb, was one of Maquoketa's early pioneers. The latter was born in Vermont, and was a son of one of the leading physicians of the Green Mountain State, who carried on a lucrative practice prior to the Revolutionary War. The family is of Scotch ancestry, and was first represented in this country during the Colonial days. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sally Reed, was born in Granville, N.Y., to which Harvey Webb had emigrated early in life, and where they were married. They settled on a farm in Essex County, and became the parents of eleven children, nine sons and two daughters, only four of whom are living: Hiland, the eldest, is a resident of Maquoketa; Nancy, Mrs. Duprey, lives in Nebraska; George Harvey, our subject, is the next eldest living; Edgar is also a resident of Nebraska.

Our subject grew up amid the quiet scenes of pioneer life in his native county, and enjoyed many an excursion on the beautiful lake near his home, especially on Independence days. He also at one time made an excursion to Crown Point, Vt. He was given the advantages of a common-school education, walking two and one-half miles from his home to the temple of learning. He remembers many incidents of the removal from New York State to Iowa. The family started from Erie County in the fall of 1845, traveling with wagons and horses until reaching Marshall, Mich., where they wintered. In the spring of 1846, they resumed their journey, crossing Lake Michigan on a steamer to Chicago, and thence traveled overland in wagons until reaching the Mississippi, which they crossed at Sabula about the 1st of May.

Three years prior to this, Leonard Webb, an elder brother of our subject, had journeyed to this county and had been living most of the time at La Motte. The father settled with his family at Maquoketa, purchasing a farm near the city, which land now lies within the corporate limits. There were then only two stores in the place, and but few other buildings. The hotel was kept in a log cabin, by J.E. Goodenow. The Franklin House was the first brick structure erected there, and was put up in the summer of 1846. Deer and other wild game was plentiful. The settlers frequently battled with prairie fires, and Indians still roamed over the country. As many as 200 of these were seen by our subject in the camp near the town.

Young Webb remained with his father on the farm until twenty years of age, and then the father sold out and went to Nebraska. George H., however, remained in this county, and worked out for the different farmers of his acquaintance. After accumulating a little money, he invested it in land in Van Buren Township, and at the time of reaching his majority, was the owner of forty acres in Clinton County. Thus having made a good start toward the establishment of a home, he was married Oct. 28, 1859, when twenty-three years old, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Nelson Banning, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Mrs. Ellen Webb was born in Genessee County, N.Y., and was but a child at the time her parents came to Iowa. After marriage the young people settled on their own land, and were prospered. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Webb decided that he must go and fight the battles of Union and freedom, and accordingly on the 9th of August, 1862, enlisted in Company I, 31st Iowa Infantry for three years, or during the war. They rendezvoused at Andrew, and drilled at Davenport four months. They then proceeded South, and participated in the first battle of Vicksburg, under command of Gen. Grant. They next met the enemy at Arkansas Post, Jackson, Champion Hill, and Ft. Gibson, and skirmished all the way through, being at Vicksburg again, which was finally captured July 4, 1863. The day following they returned to Jackson, where they gained another victory over the rebels, and later took part in the battle of Corinth and Iuka, and finally moving through Tennessee, engaged in the battle of Lookout Mountain, which Mr. Webb remembers as one of the most eventful of any during that campaign, when they fought above the clouds. He was present at most of the important battles which followed, marching with Sherman to the sea, and was at Raleigh, S.C., at the time of Lee's surrender. His regiment was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and afterward he participated in the Grand Review at Washington. Mr. Webb received his final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, July 2, 1865. His experience was somewhat remarkable, he never having missed a roll call, was never wounded or taken prisoner, was never sick, and did not receive any furlough. Few can produce such a record as this.

After a three years' absence from his farm, Mr. Webb returned, and resumed operations thereon. He completed a new residence in the summer of 1866, and this the family have since occupied. He has been fortunate in his investments, and remarkably successful in his farming operations. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a member of the G.A.R., belonging to Scofield Post, at Miles. He is also identified with the I.O.O.F., and has passed all the Chairs in his lodge. The Republican party has always received his enthusiastic support. He has ever maintained a warm interest in the general welfare of his community, and has for some time officiated as School Director in his district, as Secretary and Treasurer, and also has served as Township Trustee.

Mr. and Mrs. Webb became the parents of one child only, a daughter, Ida May, who was born Dec. 7, 1866, and died Sept. 28, 1877. They, however, adopted Leigh Webster when four months old, and he is now known as Leigh W. Webb. Mr. Webb began at the foot of the ladder in life, and has arisen to his present position solely through his own efforts, and by the assistance of his excellent and amiable wife, who has stood bravely by his side, and proved at all times a safe counsellor and faithful companion.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)