Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Webster, Simon G August 24, 1843 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 27, 2009, 1:56 am

Author: 1883 Mecosta Co. Portrait & Bio Album

SIMON G. WEBSTER, County Treasurer, resident at Big Rapids, was born at 
Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., Aug. 

24, 1843, and is son of Roswell and Harriet (Townsend) Webster.  He alternated 
farm labor summers with 

school duties winters until he was 16 years of age, and three years later came 
to Big Rapids.  He found 

employment as a clerk and teamster, and at that period his and another team 
drew all the goods that were 

sold in Big Rapids, from Grand Rapids, via Newaygo, each trip consuming from a 
week to ten days.  Mr. 

Webster was himself a driver for two years.

In February, 1864, he enlisted at Big Rapids, enrolling in Company M, 3d 
Michigan Cavalry, under Capt. Ives. 

 The regiment was detailed for special service among the bushwhackers of the 
West, and proceeded thence to 

Texas, where he was mustered out on special order in November, 1865, at San 
Antonio.  Mr. Webster came back 

to Big Rapids, and was employed in the general merchandise establishment of G. 
F. Stearns, who discontinued 

his business in the spring of 1866.  He then went to Middleville, Barry Co., 
Mich., and again engaged as 

clerk.  In 1868 he began mercantile business for himself, in partnership with 
F. H. Degolia, continuing 

until 1871, operating with success.  In the year named, because of the 
impaired health of Mr. Degolia, the 

firm disposed of the stock by sale.  Mr. Webster returned to Big Rapids and 
opened a grocery and produce 

store, managing alone one year, then admitted J. F. Clark to an equal 
interest; they closed their business 

in 1876.  In 1877 Mr. Webster received an appointment as Under-Sheriff with 
Col. Vincent, and held the 

position until January, 1881; was elected Supervisor of the Fourth Ward in 
1875; and remained the incumbent 

of the office until 1882; served two years as Chairman of the Board.  In 1882 
he was Republican nominee for 

County Treasurer, running against C. B. Hannum, candidate of the Fusion 
party.  The vote stood 1705 to 950, 

in favor of Mr. Webster.  He is a member of the Order of Masonry, and is at 
this writing (1883) Commander of 

Pilgrim Commandery, No. 23; has held the place of Captain General of the same 
division three years.  He is 

also an active and prominent member of the Fire Department; was Chief 
Engineer, and organized the Alert Hose 

Co., which took the second National prize at the tournament at Chicago in 
1877.  The prize included $300, 

and the cart which was manufactured for the Centennial Exposition by the 
Silsby Manufacturing Company.

The marriage of Mr. Webster to Alice McDowell took place Dec. 25, 1867.  She 
is a daughter of Addison and 

Lavina McDowell, of Allegan Co., Mich., and was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan.  
Mr. and Mrs. Webster have one 

daughter, Ethel M., born May 10, 1872, at Middleville, Barry Co., Mich.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/webster183nbs.txt

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