Labette County Biographies
From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1894
HON. HENRY G. WEBB, attorney-at-law and
a prominent citizen of Parsons, was born in
Ridgebury Township, Bradford County, Pa.
He is a son of Hon. John Leland Webb, a
native of Fairfield County, Conn., who was there
reared, removing thence to Pennsylvania and becoming an active business man of Bradford County.
He engaged in contracting and building, and was
one of the first contractors of the North Branch
Canal in northern Pennsylvania. Politically he
was a Democrat, firm in his allegiance to party
principles and nominees.
Among the positions in which John L. Webb
served may be mentioned those of Commissioner
and Sheriff of the county of Bradford. He was
twice elected to the State Legislature, and in that
responsible position served with credit to himself
and to the satisfaction of his constituents. In his
religious belief he was identified with the Christian
Church, and was devoted to the success and growth
of that religious organization. He married Miss
Anise Hammond, a native of Chemung, N. Y.,and
they became the parents of seven children, four of
whom are now living.
Reared to manhood in Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch received a fair education in the
common schools. In September, 1848, he was admitted to the Bar at Wellsboro, Pa., having studied
law after the death of his father in October, 1846.
He conducted his readings in the office of John C.
Knox, who afterward was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. After having
been admitted to the Bar, Mr. Webb removed to
Wisconsin in 1849 and located at Princeton, Marquette County, removing thence to Wautoma,
Waushara County, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until the spring of 1868.
That year witnessed his arrival in Kansas, where
for a time he resided in Mound City.
In the spring of 1870 Mr. Webb came to Oswego,
Labette County, and in the fall of the same year
he was chosen Judge of this judicial district, retaining that position until 1873, when he resigned.
He then formed a legal partnership with W. B.
Glass, and the connection continued for about nine
years, when it was dissolved. The Judge then
associated with himself L. C. True, under the firm
name of Webb & True, and this partnership continued for fifteen months. Judge Webb then
removed to Cherokee County, and made his home
there until January, 1889, when he came to Parsons. Here he formed a partnership with C. L.
Caldwell, under the firm title of Webb & Caldwell,
and the two conducted an extensive legal practice
until the 20th of May, 1893.
On the 20th of May, 1849, Judge Webb and
Miss Susan J. Abbott were united in marriage.
Mrs. Webb was born and reared in Lorain County,
Ohio, and was a daughter of Justin Abbott. She
died on the 3d of September, 1864. The Judge
was again married, April 13, 1866, his bride being
Miss Amanda J., daughter of Linford Gower. She
was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied her
parents to Wisconsin when a child, growing to
womanhood in Plainfield Township, Waushara
County. Of his first union, the Judge has one
child, Emma E., wife of Christopher C. Wenzell, a
builder and contractor residing in Kansas City,
Mo.
An independent Republican in politics, Judge
Webb has been elected upon the ticket of his party
to numerous positions of trust. In 1860 he was
elected to represent his district in Wisconsin in
the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1864 he
was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and two
years later re-elected to that position. In the fall
of 1876 he was chosen to represent this district in
the State Legislature, and while an incumbent of
that honored position was instrumental in advancing the interests of his constituents.
In his social affiliations the Judge is identified
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the chapter.
He is a man who has ever maintained a deep interest in the welfare of the people and the progress
of the county and state, and his labors have
been instrumental in accomplishing many greatly
needed reforms. Having been the incumbent of
various important positions, he has been situated
so as to lender the people much valuable service,
and with justice it may be said that no citizen of
Parsons has accomplished more for the development of the resources of the city and county than
has he. While residing in Wisconsin he served as
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and by virtue of that office became a member of the County
Commissioners' Board.
Judge Webb has ever been prominent in the
cause of truth and justice. His legal attainments
are widely known, and have been recognized by
the Bar of the state, his position among those of
his profession being one of eminence and influence. His opinions in important cases are eagerly
sought, and, as given, are indicative of his ability
and thorough knowledge of legal technicalities.
His decisions in important matters are well worthy
to be placed side by side with those of the past.
which have sustained the dignity of the highest
judicial tribunals of the state.
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This website created September 18, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
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