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ALBERT C. WEBB, of Mt. Vernon, Master in Chancery of Jefferson County, was born in Franklin County, ILL., July 18, 1856. His father, Elijah T. Webb, was one of the first children born in that county, the date being January 4, 1818. He was a prominent Baptist minister and came of good old Virginia stock. The grandfather, Eli Webb, was born to the Old Dominion, and the family, which was of English origin, dates its residence in Virginia to early Colonial days. The descendants of Eli Webb are numbered among the prominent and leading citizens of Franklin County. He had eight children, who were married and who reared families of their own. His brother Lazarus had fourteen children, who grew to mature years and had families. Their descendants now number more than three thousand, and the greater part are now living in Franklin County. Elijah Webb was a preacher of the Baptist Church during the greater part of his life. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and force of character and was also quite prominent in local politics. He served as County Surveyor and Assessor, and held other offices. He was instrumental in the building of Ewing College, was one of its first Board of Trustees, and devoted his energies, as well as much of his fortune, to making the institution a success. He died in 1879, at which time Ewing College lost one of its best friends. He married Nancy Clark, who was born in Franklin County, ILL., April 30, 1824; she was a daughter of John Clark, who was born in Kentucky in November, 1799. The grandfather, Jacob Clark, was born in North Carolina in 1761. Her father came to Illinois in an early day and followed farming; he served as Justice of the Peace, and was a soldier in the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars. Two of his sons, William and John, were also in the Mexican War and lost their lives in the service. Mrs. Webb died in 1884. Our subject is the seventh in a family of ten children who grew to mature years. His sister Eliza is the widow of Hon. R. R. Link, late candidate for Governor of Illinois on the Prohibition ticket, who is now living in Ewing. Elizabeth is the wife of Willis B. King, an extensive farmer of Ewing. Emeline is the wife of William Pierce, a soldier in the Civil War and a prominent farmer near Ewing. Matilda is the wife of Thomas Neal, a prominent stockman of Ewing, who is now Vice-President of the Royal Loan and Building Company of Mt. Vernon, and who was for twenty years Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Ewing College. Lewis M. is a physician and druggist of Ewing. Eli follows farming near that place. John C. is a druggist and a prominent politician of Ewing. Andrew D. is a member of the firm of Webb & Webb, lawyers of Mt. Vernon, is a graduate of Shurtleff College, of Alton, and is Secretary of the Royal Loan and Building Company of Mt. Vernon. Robert L. is a druggist of Ewing. Albert C. Webb, whose name heads this record, acquired his literary education in Ewing College, being graduated therefrom in 1879, and then served as one of its teachers for two years, after which he studied law in the Washington University of St. Louis, graduating in 1885. He was at once admitted to the Bar and the same year opened an office in Mt. Vernon. He was for two years business manager of the Baptist Banner, a religious paper, and aided in the establishment of The Progressive Farmer, a powerful third-party paper of Mt. Vernon, but has not been connected with it for some years. He has conducted an extive real-estate and abstract business, and is doing much toward bringing southern Illinois to the attention of the outside world, thus aiding in its development. Since December, 1893, he has served as Master in Chancery. In 1886 Mr. Webb married Miss Cora, daughter of Robert W. Carpenter, a well known attorney of Mt. Vernon. They have four children, Ralph D., Nell, Frank Clark and Albert Evarts. The parents are members of the Baptist Church and are highly respected throughout the community. In politics Mr. Webb is a Democrat, and at the election April 21, 1894, was chosen President of the Board of Education of Mt. Vernon. Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Modern Woodmen of America. His life has been well spent. He is a worthy representative of an honored family, and by his many excellencies of character he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer