Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Thomas F. Webster *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** Thomas F. Webster, a successful farmer, was born in Fayetteville, Ark., in 1838, the son of John B. and Margaret S. Webster. The father was born in Tennessee, and at a very early date moved to Arkansas, settling in Fayetteville, where he assisted in erecting the first court-house in the county. He was also in charge of the United States arsenal at that place when the Indians were removed from Georgia to the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. He was justice of the peace for many years, and was an excellent citizen. He died in 1883. His son, Thomas F., was educated in Fayetteville and Elm Springs, and received the best schooling that the county afforded. In 1862 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Poer, daughter of David and Rachel Poer, and ten children were the result of this union, eight of whom are yet living: Mrs. Maggie Crocksdale, David, John, Ada. Ruth, Orlando, Maude and Cleveland. The same year of his marriage Mr. Webster enlisted in the Confederate army, Company H. Seventh Missouri Infantry, and served with this company until the close of the war. During the latter part of the war he was sent to Texas, in the ordnance department, and during his long term of enlistment was never wounded or captured. He returned to his family and resumed agricultural pursuits, which occupation he has since continued. Later he purchased his present home place, which consists of 270 acres, of his brothers and sisters, who held an undivided interest. This farm is one of the best in Northwest Arkansas, and is well improved and well cultivated. Mr. Webster is a Democrat in politics; is a member of the Masonic and Temperance lodges, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.