WEBB-Dave - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Dave Webb, livery, Covington, is a native of Fountain county. His father, Harmon Webb, settled in Attica in 1827, where the subject of this sketch was born in 1828. Mr. Harmon Webb operated the first ferry-boat across the Wabash River, kept hotel, and farmed. In 1832 he removed to Covington, at that time a village of less than 100 inhabitants. Here he began keeping a hotel, which was located on the west side of the public square. This was lost during the fire of 1838, which burned the whole row of buildings on the west side. But few opportunities were afforded young Webb for acquiring an education, but he has, however, through business experience attained a good education. In 1848 he began in the livery business, in which he has been interested most of the time since that date. In 1857 he was nominated by the democratic party and elected to the office of county recorder for a four years' term. This was only done by the best of political maneuvering. The Hon. D. W. Voorhees was one of the parties to "stump" the county by road districts; the majority then being only seventeen votes. This was a hotly contested victory, but it gave promise of a repetition. Satisfied of this fact Mr. Webb, in 1861, again became the candidate of the democratic party for reelection, and was elected by a majority of 365. In 1865 he once more retained his position by a majority of fifty-six. In 1863 he became interested in the livery business, sold in 1864, bought again in 1865, and has since continued. In 1865 he was one of four of the seven county officers who were drafted for service in the Federal army. He, however, paid $1,000 for a substitute. In 1857 he was appointed collector of tolls at this point, by the officers of the Wabash and Erie canal. He held this position until the close of the traffic done by the canal company. The last boat cleared through from Lodi to Toledo was the "Rocky Mountain," date of clearance October 26, 1872. The last of the local traffic was the clearance of the boat Godman, November 13, 1875, bound from Lodi to LaFayette. Mr. Webb is a member and ex-officer in both the Masonic and Odd-Fellows lodges of Covington. He was married December 23, 1850, to Miss Maria L. Lawson, whose people were among the old and prominent pioneers of Fountain county.

David Webb. Among the active enterprises of a city like Covington the business of livery, sale and feedings tables occupies, necessarily, an importnat place, contributing as they do to the pleasure, convenience and actual necessities of the community. Among the most notable establishments of this class in the city was that conducted by David Webb, one of the pominent and most successful business men of the place. This stable was one of the most popular establishments of the kind in the city and met with deserved success. As there are few features of metropolitan enterprise which contribute a larger quota to the convenience of the residential and transient, public, it was considered a valuable acquisition to the place. Mr. Webb was a native of this county, born in Attica July 8, 1828. His father, Harmon Webb, who was a native of one of the Eastern states, came to Indiana about 1821 and married Miss Abigail Putnam a native of Indianapolis. They settled in Covington in 1832 and here the father's death occurred in 1836. Four children were born to this union but only our subject now survives. A sister, Sarah J, married Dr. L.D. Rush and died in 1864. Another sister, Eliza A married George S. Shanklin, ex-county Surveyor and died in 1887. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Webb married again and became the mother of one child, Eleda. After the death of her second husband, which occurred in 1839, she married Robert Hitchfield, who died in 1869. She died at Lebanon, Indiana in 1888. David Webb was reared in his native county, accured a fair education and on the 23rd of December 1850, he married Miss Martha L. Lawson. He first engaged in the livery business in 1849 and in 1857 he was elected County Recorder holding that position for four years. In 1861 he was elected Count Auditor by the Democratic party and in 1865 he was reelected serving 9 years in that capacity. Previous to this, in 1857, he was made collector to toll on the Wabash & Erie Canal and held that position until the canal was abandoned. In 1870 he engaged in buying and handling horses and was engaged very extensively in this business until March 1885 when he was appointeed by President Cleveland Register of Land Office at Salt Lake City. He assumed the duties of this office January 18, 1886 and served until June 30, 1889. Following this he engaged in politics in Salt Lake City and assisted in carrying that city over the Mormons. He was given full charge of the campaign in the city by the Anti-Mormons, and carried the city by a majority of 42. The following February the entire city campaign was swept clean, a complete organization being effected and great excitement prevailed. Judge Power was commander in chief, with Mr. Webb as conductor. On the 15th of April 1890, our subject returned to Covington and from then on was engaged in the livery business. He gave much attention to horse racing and had a noted reputation as a horse starter in races. He was a professional and made three trips to Salt Lake races in that capacity. Mr. Webb was connected with the local Horse Breeders' Association and had a "Blue Bull" stallion with a record of 2:36, a fine producer. Our subject attended state and district conventions and took an active interest in the Democratic party. He was one of the prominent men of the county and took a leading part in all worthy or laudable enterprises. The children of our subject are as follows: Frank R of Saunton, VA, Principal of the Musical Academy at that place and a fine musician. He was organist at St. Paul's Church at Staunton. He is the leader of the Stonewall Jackson Band, a band noted far and wide. David Webb, Jr., has been chief clerk in the land department at the Missouri, Kansas & Texas RR with his office at Sedalia, MO and is now a banker at Casey, Ill and Josie, who is at home, is a stenographer and teacher. Our subject became a member of the Ancient Free & Accept Masons, and the Independt Order of Odd Fellows in 1850 and held connection with them until his death. He owned a farm one and one-half miles from Covington. Mrs. webb is a member of the Presbyterian Church.