Wm. R. WEBB, died at the home of his son, Thomas M. WEBB, in Belleville at 9 o'clock last night, after an illness of several months. Deceased was born in Webb's Prairie, Franklin county, February 23rd, 1840, consequently was in the 59th year of his age at the time of death.

In November 1860 he was married to Miss Rebecca MOONEYHAM, daughter of Major Wm. MOONEYHAM, of Benton.

Of this union a large family of children were born, ten of whom are still living. In point of seniority they are as follows: Daniel R., of East St. Louis; Thomas M., of Belleville; Mrs. Willis PHILLIPS, and Mrs. Jas. M. HILL, of Mt. Vernon; Charles, Miss Sallie and Elmer, of Belleville; Dick, Barnie and Miss BECK, of this city.

Mr. Webb was an exceptionally strong and robust type of manhood and knew but little of illness until seven or eight months ago, when his health began to decline. When the wane of his physical energies began he went to St. Louis where he was treated for some time at the Baptist Sanitarium but without any noticable improvement. He returned to this city and later visited successively his sons at Belleville and East St. Louis, but in spite of everything he was able to do he was unable to arrest the progress of the disease which had fastened itself upon him. He was sufficiently strong on Thursday to drive about the streets of Belleville without assistance and dined with his son Charles, night before last, apparently enjoying his supper. About 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon his condition became alarming and it became evident that he could not live more than a few hours at most.

The out-of-town members of the family were notified by telegraph of his condition and with the exception of Mrs.Phillips, all were present at the time of death. Mr. WEBB was one of the best known men in Mt. Vernon through his management of the Jeffersson House on East Broadway, of which he had been proprietor for many years.

The remains were brought here on the L & N train at noon today and taken to the Seffer House, where they will remain till the departure of the C & EI this evening when they will be taken to Ewing, where a halt will be made till tomorrow when they will be taken to Webb's Prairie church, where the funeral services will be held and where the interment will take place.

Mr. WEBB was a member of the Baptist church having been connected with that denomination for fifteen or twenty years.

All of the family came over from Belleville this morning and will pay the last solemn rites of respect to the memory of their dead parent at Webb's Prairie church tomorrow.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: July 8, 1899
Submitted by: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera - Nov 5, 1997