Webster, W. J. 1861-1945

WEBSTER, TODD, DEWITT, JONES, LEMON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/25/2013 at 16:01:05

Source: The Howard County Times January 10, 1945, Page 3

W. J. Webster, the son of William Webster and Mary Todd, was born north of Kendallville, Iowa, in Winneshiek county, on September 6, 1861. He was one of a family of eleven children.

He received his education in the country schools of Winneshiek county, the Cresco school and at Decorah, later teaching in the rural school system of Winneshiek county.

For several years he was employed as a craftsman in the Elgin National Watch Company at Elgin, Ill., but his roots were deep in the soil of Iowa and he returned to the state in 1894, this time to Howard county, where he resumed farming about 7 miles north of Cresco, finally to locate at the eastern city limits of Cresco and spend his declining years there.

Worked in Watch Factory

In 1893, while employed by the Elgin Watch Company, he met and married Lillian May DeWitt, and two years ago they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

To this union was born four children, all living. They are: William DeWitt Webster, of Hoodsport, Washington; Donald Kenneth Webster of Cresco; Hazel Elizabeth Webster of Waterloo, Ia., and Lloyd Todd Webster of Olympia, Wash.

All of the 10 brothers and sisters of the deceased have passed on with the exception of three sisters. They are: Miss Hattie Webster, of St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Tom Jones, of St. Paul and Mrs. C. P. Lemon of Cresco.

In addition to his widow, three sons and a daughter, Mr. Webster is survived by 10 grandchildren.

Was Master Mason

He was a member of the Congregational church, and a member of the Cresco Masonic Lodge for 32 years.

For more than a half century, W. J. Webster tilled and produced on the soil which he loved, hundreds of head of purebred livestock. This part in the sustenance of mankind, with the aid and comfort of his wife and their family, was his life’s work – a life that was full and complete.

W. J. Webster will be missed in the community in which he lived for his was the happy faculty of obtaining the respect of the young and old alike.

Relatives attending the funeral from a distance were Miss Hattie Webster, St. Paul, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Gross, Phil and Alan Gross, Waterloo, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Todd Webster, Olympia, Wash.; Mrs. Otis DeWitt, Minneapolis; Mrs. A. W. River, Riceville; Mr. and Mrs. Elton Chas, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Todd, Mrs. Ida Todd, Harmony, Minn.

Card of Thanks

To our many friends who extended a helping hand in any way during Mr. Webster’s illness and at his death, we are indeed grateful

The W. J. Webster Family.

Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.