WEBB, (Col.) James, Acadia Parish, Louisiana ---------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted for the LA GenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, Nov. 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ COL. JAMES WEBB, RAYNE.--Col. James Webb, a prominent citizen of Rayne and the operator of the rice mill at this place, was born in what is now Acadia parish, February 21, 1833. He is the son of John and Anne (Myers) Webb, natives of England and Mississippi, respectively. John Webb came to the United States when a young man, and for a time traveled in Texas and through portions of the country, and early in the twenties located in what is now Acadia parish, Louisiana. He came to the United States as a sailor and was on board the ship of which Nelson was in command at the battle of Trafalgar, in which Nelson fell. After coming to Louisiana he learned the tanner and saddler trade, at which he worked during most of his life. He died in 1857, at the age of seventy years. He was a member of the Church of England. Col. Webb's mother was born in Mississippi in 1792. She was of Irish ancestry. She died in 1874 at the age of seventy-four years. Col. James Webb and his two sisters, Sarah A., widow of Cornelius Duson, now wife of W. W. Burton, of Acadia parish, and Mary E. (deceased), wife of C. Larmand, composed the family of which he is a member. Col. Webb spent his school days in this section, obtaining his education in the neighboring schools and from private tutorage. He first began business as a saddler, and later turned his attention to stock raising, in which he was engaged until the beginning of the war. He enlisted, in 1862, in Col. Bratigie's regiment, Seventh Louisiana Cavalry, Company D, and was in service during the whole war. After his return from the army Col. Webb gave his attention to saw-milling and merchandising, in which he continued until the last four years. He sold his mill interests in 1886, and upon the erection of the rice mill at Rayne he took charge of it as manager. Col. Webb also owns a plantation on Plaquemine Brulee and a cattle range west of Rayne upon which he grazes about six hundred head of stock. Col. Webb has taken an active part in the local public affairs since being engaged in business at this place. Before the war he served for fourteen years as justice of the peace, and in 1874 was a State representative of St. Landry parish in the lower house. lie was a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis in 1888 that nominated Grover Cleveland for President. Col. Webb married, in 1853, Miss Nancy Laughlin, of St. Landry parish. To them four children, three of whom are living, have been born, viz.: Rufus C., M. D., Rayne ; Hines C., M.D., Crowley; Laura Bertha, at home. John (deceased) was a merchant of Plaquemine Brulee. He died in 1881. C. Webb has given each of his children a thorough collegiate education. His family are members of the M. F. Church, South. Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp. 274-275. Edited by William Henry Perrin. Published in 1891, by The Gulf Publishing Company. # # #