My Genealogy Hound

C. G. Webb, who follows farming on section 22, Union township, has spent his entire life in Iowa, his birth having occurred in Keokuk county on the 31st of March, 1861. His father, John Webb, was a native of Tennessee, in which state he was reared. When a young man he removed northward to Springfield, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and in Sangamon county was married to Miss Susan Taylor, a native of that county. Following their marriage they left Illinois and went to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1844. There the father secured land and engaged in farming for a time, while later he conducted a store and shipped stock for several years. In 1880 he arrived in Union county, settling in Sand Creek township, where he developed a farm of eighty acres, afterward adding to his original holdings until he had one hundred and twenty acres, still in possession of his family. In his later years he lived retired in Alton, enjoying there a well earned rest up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898 when he was seventy-eight years of age. His widow still survives and is now making her home with her son, C. G. Webb, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom eight reached adult age.

C. G. Webb spent his youth as a farm lad, his time being divided between the acquirement of an education, the enjoyment of the pleasures of the playground and assistance rendered his father. He remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated January 25, 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna K. Jackson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Asa Jackson, who came to Iowa in 1877. They have had no children of their own but have reared a child of Mrs. Webb’s brother.

Following his marriage Mr. Webb engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for several years. He has been a resident of this county since 1880, when he came with his parents and in the intervening period has contributed in substantial measure to the agricultural development. After cultivating rented land for some time he invested his savings in one hundred and ten acres of land in Sand Creek township. This he improved, erecting thereon a good dwelling and making the place his home for six years, after which he sold out and took up his abode in Creston. A year later, however, he purchased forty acres of land in Highland township which he also improved, and he likewise owned two town properties in Creston. His next purchase made him owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sand Creek township. This he brought under a high state of cultivation and made it his place of residence for four years, after which he sold that property and accepted the position of manager of the county poor farm, to which he was appointed by the board of supervisors. For four years he remained in charge, during which time he made some good improvements there, while his record as an official was most commendable. From that place he removed to his present farm in 1902, becoming owner of eighty acres. He has since added forty acres to the original purchase and the present farm includes the old fair grounds. Here he has built a two-story modern residence equipped with furnace, bathroom and other up-to-date conveniences and accessories. He has good barns and substantial outbuildings on his place and in fact the farm presents an excellent appearance, its many improvements and richly cultivated fields forming an attractive feature in the landscape. For nine years he has been engaged successfully and extensively in raising fine Percheron and English Shire horses, has two good stallions and makes exhibits of his stock at the county fairs, where he has won various premiums. His home is pleasantly and conveniently located within a mile of Afton and is superior to the great majority of farms, it’s neat and well kept appearance indicating his careful management and marked business ability.

Mr. Webb has been a life-long democrat where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. He is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Afton, and both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. They attend the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed in this part of the county, having a host of warm friends. Mr. Webb, during the twenty-eight years of his residence here, has contributed in substantial measure to the general progress, especially along agricultural lines, having improved four different places. He started out in business life empty-handed but soon came to recognize the fact that energy and determination are the basis of success and upon this foundation he has builded his prosperity.