My Genealogy Hound

Dr. J. P. Webb, a well-known citizen and prominent chair manufacturer of Little Rock, was born in Caldwell County, Ky., in 1831, and is a son of Charles H. and Cassandra (Ford) Webb, both natives of the same State. The father was one of the leading physicians in Princeton, Ky., and in fact considered one of the most skillful in that part of the State. His death occurred in 1844 at the age of fifty years, while the mother survived him until the year 1865, shortly after the Civil War had ended. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three daughters and one son are yet living. J. P. Webb was reared in his native county and graduated from the old Cumberland College at Princeton. Choosing medicine as his profession, he commenced that study in the office of the noted Dr. James A. Carr, and also attended medical lectures at the University of Louisville, Ky., from which institute he graduated in 1851, although he never practiced any but simply used his knowledge of medicine for his own benefit, and a natural desire to know the secrets of that profession. In early life the Doctor was engaged in the commission business for eight years, and afterward spent ten years in the dry-goods business with great success. His next venture was in steam-boating on the Cumberland, Tennessee and Ohio Rivers until 1869, when he came to Little Rock, where he embarked in the wholesale boot and shoe business, but was forced to sell out some time later, on account of his wife’s failing health, and return to Kentucky, where she died. On his return to Little Rock he formed a partnership with Mr. T. W. Wilson, in the book and stationery business, under the firm name of Wilson & Webb, and continued at that with success for eighteen years, selling out the business in May, 1888. The Doctor then became interested in the manufacture of chairs, and has been secretary and treasurer of the Little Rock Chair Company since its incorporation. Dr. Webb was married to Miss Nannie Machen, whose father, Frank Machen, was one of the largest planters in Caldwell County, Ky., before the war. One child was born to this union, Augusta. Mrs. Webb died in 1870. The Doctor is of a modest and retiring nature, and it is only his intimate friends who are cognizant of the kindly, affectionate spirit he possesses. He is a citizen of unexcelled standing and true worth.