WEBB, Thomas Smith - Putnam

REV. T. S. WEBB. Another good man well known by this community as a remarkably successful and popular minister of the M. E. church has fallen before the destroyer. Thomas Smith Webb, the subject of this sketch was born in the village of Bellebrook, Ohio, Oct 28, 1813, and died at Lebanon, Ind., on Saturday, March 31, 1877, at 8 o'clock A. M., after a brief illness characterized in its last stages by extreme nervous exhaustion. He was a descendant of Capt. Thomas Webb, well known in early Methodist history as a preacher in the New York barracks in 1766. His mother was a grand-daughter of Rev. Benjamin Abbott, a celebrated evangelist of olden times. He was married to Rebecca J. Lynn in 1834, and was the father of Mrs. Dr. Tingley, Mrs. Samuel L. Southard, and Mrs. Judge Wm. Irvin, of Danville. His labors as a christian minister began in the year 1839 and ended only with his life. He was admitted to the North Indiana Conference in 1846 and has filled the following appointments in the order named, vis.: Richmond: Attica, Lafayette, Greencastle, Indianapolis, South Bend district, Terre Haute, Greencastle again, Valparaiso, Crawfordsville, Laporte, Danville, Attica again, Perrysville, and Lebanon, in all thirty one years as pastor and elder. All of these important appointments he filled with marked success, and with a zeal for the cause of Christ that never flagged. The fruit of his labors during this time amounts to over three thousand additions to the church. His brilliant and outgoing active christianity, his benevolet character, and his remarkably winning social qualities endeared him to every community among whom he resided, his warm friends among the "outsiders" being scarcely less numerous or ardent that those whom he especially served in the church. This was especially the case in Lebanon, the affection and friendship of whose citizens was manifested by the bestowal of every possible kindness during his late sickness, and of every token of respect after his death.

The church was richly draped throughout, and decorated with flowers long before the hour for the memorial service on the Sabbath following his death. Crowds of people were unable to procure seats in the already crowded house. The other churches suspended their services, and the pastor of the Presbyterian church, Rev. M. Bishop, who had been very attentive to the deceased during his illness, and had been strongly attached to him, assisted in the services, which were conducted by Rev. john L. Smith of Lafayette. Rev. M. Bower, of Morton, also was present, and participated in the exercises.

It being the wish of the family to have their dead buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, the Masonic Fraternity of Lebanon, of which the deceased was a prominent member, kindly took charge of the remains, and with an escort of six members of the lodge and six ladies, members of the Eastern Start, accompanied them to Greencastle, where they were delivered to the care of the Greencastle lodge, and buried iwht the honors of Masonry on Monday.

Services were held at Roberts Chapel, conducted by Dr. Wiley, Rev. A. A. Gee, of Lafayette district, and Rev. S. Beck. A number of ministers and others from adjoining cities were present. Among them Rev. Darwood, of Terre Haute, Rev. Buckles of Crafordsville, Rev. Pavey of Terre Haute, Elder Brooke of Greencastle, Rev. Colvin of Danville, Mr. Myers of Crawfordsville, Rev. McManis of Lodoga, and Rev Lawhorn of Morton. The escort from Lebanon consisted of Dr. Harrison and wife, Mr. Peters and wife, Messers, Baker, Daily, Ritchie, Busby, Aylsworth, Mrs. Wood, Miss Nichols, Mrs. Titus and Mrs. Snow. These with the citizens of Greencastle accompanied the remains to Forest Hill Cemetery, where, after the impressive Masonic rites conducted by Grand Master McNally and the services of the M. E. Ritual by Dr. Willey, they were deposited in their last resting place to await the "sweet bye and bye" of the song so sweetly chanted by the choir on the occasion.

==========

The funeral sermon over the dead pastor at Lebanon - Rev. TS Webb - was preached by his life-long friend, Dr. John L. Smith, Sunday morning. The church was crowded, and all the pastors of other denominations took part. Monday morning the Masons of Lebanon escorted the remains to Greencastle where services were conducted by Dr. Wiley and Rev. Mr. Beck. The Masonic lodge at that place consigned the body to the tomb. It will be remembered that Mr. Webb officiated at quarterly meeting in Trinity Church, this city (Lafayette Courier) a few Sabbaths ago since. His sermon upon that occasion was his last. --- transcribed by kbz