Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 770
R.L. WEBB

R. L. WEBB, a farmer living on section 9, Cincinnati Township, forms the subject of this sketch. He came to Harrison County in the spring of 1882, and settled on the farm he now occupies. At first he bought eighty acres of improved land, to which he has added forty acres.

Mr. WEBB was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 18, 1832. His mother died when he was a small boy, and as soon as he was old enough, shifted for himself, at whatever he could get to do. About 1854, he went on the road selling boots, shoes and rubber goods, and was on the road for about sixteen years, traveling over nearly every State east of the Mississippi River. He traveled from Utica, N. Y., and after leaving the road, engaged in the boot and shoe business, at Marathon, Cortland County, N. Y., and was there until 1882, when he came to Harrison County, Iowa.

He was united in marriage, in Cortland County, N. Y. , April 5, 1865, to Miss Avis M. HUNTLY, the daughter of John D. and Louisa (FRENCH) HUNTLY, by which marriage three children were born: Frank H., January 25, 1867; Ritchie H., September 28, 1873, and Victoria L., July 11, 18980. Mrs. WEBB was born in Cortland County, N. Y., June 15, 1847, and remained at home with her parents until the date of her marriage. Her parents were members of the Baptist Church.

Charles H. WEBB, father of our subject, was a native of England, and came to America when a boy, and settled in Otsego County. He was somewhat of a speculator in lands and had at one time five hundred acres in Otsego County. About 1838 he sold out and went to Michigan was there only a short time when his wife died, and he returned to Otsego County, where subsequently he was married and went to Bradford County, Pa., where he purchased five hundred acres of pine land, and was there engaged for a number of years in sawing up this timber. He finally sold out and went to Winnebago County, Ill., where he died about 1854. Our subject's mother was a native of Otsego County, N. Y. Here maiden name was Lucinda HITCHCOCK, and she died in Michigan, about 1838. They were the parents of five children, of whom our subject was the fourth.

Politically Mr. WEBB is an out and out Democrat. His early education was received in the common schools. In addition to his farm property he has a residence in Missouri Valley, located on Seventh Street, and now occupied by Mr. HUFF. It is the intention of our subject to remove to Missouri Valley for the purpose of giving his daughter better educational advantages.

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