William H. Webb

WILLIAM H. WEBB. - Among the honored pioneers of Wyandotte county assuredly must be mentioned William H. Webb, who came to Kansas in 1864, making the journey across the western plains in the covered wagon drawn by oxen, which mode of travel preceded the railroads. This good citizen is one of the prosperous agriculturists of the section, his activities being principally devoted to general farming and gardening. He made his own way through the many difficulties and hardships which beset the way of the pioneer. Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success; it carries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character, and acts as a powerful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means, implying the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every day life with its cares, necessities and duties affords ample opportunities for acquiring experiences of the best kind, and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and self improvement.

Mr. Webb, by the circumstance of birth is a Virginian, his birth having occurred in 1845, in the Old Dominion. His father was John Webb, who was born in Virginia in 1816, and the mother, whose maiden name was Barbara Cunningham, was a native of that state, and survived her husband by one year, her demise occurring in 1900 and his in 1899. Of the seven children born to that worthy couple, two survive, Mr. Webb and Sarah E., widow of J. S. Payne of this county.

Mr. Webb was reared in his native state and under the excellent tutelage of his father became versed in the various departments of the great basic industry. In 1864, some two years previous to the attainment of his majority, he was seized with western fever and crossed the plains to Kansas, making the journey in the primitive frontier manner of that day. He came not from Virginia, but from Jackson county, Missouri, whence his father had removed with his family in 1855 and where the older man remained in the useful capacity of a farmer until his death. Young Webb became favorably impressed with the charms and advantages of Wyandotte county and made the location here which was to prove permanent.

In 1871, Mr. Webb chose a loyal and devoted companion and helpmeet in the person of Miss Martha Graves, a daughter of John B. Graves, of Iowa, their union being solemnized in 1871. They became the parents of six children, the four eldest, Sarah E., Minnie B., Annie B. and William H., being deceased. John W. is an employe of the Kansas City belt line; and Eugene has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and pursues farming operations in Wyandotte county.

In his religious views Mr. Webb is Methodist and politically he is a Socialist, exemplifying in his own life the Socialist ideas of moral and social justice and brotherly love.