JOHN W. WEBB representative engineer of the Quincy Railroad, living at Beardstown, was born in Estill county, Kentucky, January 22, 1858. He was reared there until twelve years of age, when his parents moved to Daviess county, Missouri, and settled on a farm. Here he grew up on the farm with only ordinary school advantages. His father is Elijah Webb, son of Richard Webb, of North Carolina. The family came of old Maryland stock, and Richard was brought to Kentucky when eight years old by his parents, who settled on a farm. Here they died after improving the land to a considerable extent. Here Richard grew up and married Miss Clemy Tipton, born in Kentucky, in 1804. After their three children were grown up they removed to Daviess county, Missouri, and joined their son Elijah. They both died in this place, the wife in 1872, her husband ten years later. They both were Baptists. Their son Elijah, born in 1827, was a farmer in Kentucky and followed that profession all his life. He married Sallie A. Brinegar, born in 1841 in Kentucky. They now live in Harrison county, Missouri. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Christian Church, but Mr. Webb is a member of another organization.
John Webb is one of twelve children, of whom nine are yet living. He began his career in the railroad service in 1876 as a brakeman on the Iowa division of the Quincy road. He was then living in Iowa. When he was located at Eldon, Iowa, he was brakeman and extra conductor. Later he was a farmer in DeKalb, Missouri, for two years, and from there returned to the Quincy road, and has been employed by them ever since. He has gained the confidence of the road by his faithful service and good habits. He has been associated with the St. Louis division since June 10, 1886. He was a conductor of local and through freight trains and extra passenger conductor, and only had one wreck. That occurred in the winter of 1884, when engine 194 and eleven cars left the track at Vermont, Illinois. He is a practical man and has made money at his business.
He was married in Wapello county, Iowa, to Miss Hattie Smock, who was born in the same county and was there reared and educated. She is the daughter of Archibald and Hannah (More) Smock, natives of Ohio. They were married near Indianapolis, where Miss More and her parents had settled when she was a small child. Mr. Smock followed his vocation of farming, first in Indiana and then moved to Iowa, and, settling on a farm in Wapello county, remained there the rest of his life with his wife. They were both faithful members of the Baptist Church and were esteemed by all who knew them.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb have had four children, two of whom are dead. Those living are: Maude and Ernest E., two bright little children. Mr. and Mrs. Webb are attendants on the services of the Christian Church, of which Mrs. Webb is a member. Mr. Webb is a K. of P., being a member of the Beardstown Lodge, and he is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are worthy citizens and are greatly liked for their many good qualities. Mr. Webb is a genial, warm-hearted man, with hosts of friends, and his good natured wife is equally esteemed.