Frank W. Webb Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 325-326

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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HON. FRANK W. WEBB. South Dakota owes her high standing among the newer 
states of the Union to the high character and dauntless spirit of the 
settlers who made their home within her borders in pioneer days. To 
their inspiration and work is due her wonderful progress along various 
lines. Among the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Brown 
county, Frank W. Webb occupies a prominent position. For almost twenty 
years he has been actively identified with her agricultural interests 
and is now successfully engaged in farming on section 15, Aberdeen 
township. 

He was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, April 22, 1851, and is a 
son of Erastus and Jane (Clute) Webb, both natives of New York. The 
father was born in Sacket's Harbor, and in early life was a sailor on 
the lakes, but' later engaged in farming. In 1846 he moved with his 
family to Wisconsin, where he made his home until coming to Brown 
county, South Dakota, in 1882. He took up from the government the 
southeast quarter of section 34, Aberdeen-township, which he 
transformed into a good farm, and there continued to reside until his 
death, which occurred in October, 1894. His wife still survives him, 
and of the nine children born to them, eight are living. One son was a 
soldier of the Civil war. 

Our subject began his education in the schools of Green Lake county, 
Wisconsin, and was later a student in a normal school, after which he 
successfully engaged in teaching for one year. On attaining his 
majority he started out in life for himself, and in 1873 went to 
Nevada, where he worked on a farm and in the mills and furnaces for 
some time. Returning to Wisconsin, he was married, September 28, 1879, 
to Miss Ellen Wilson, who was born in that state, September 13, 1853. 

The winter of 1879-80 Mr. Webb spent in his native state, and the 
following spring came to Brown county, South Dakota, locating on the 
south half of section 15, Aberdeen township, he and Charles Holmes 
being the first settlers west of the town of Aberdeen. After living in 
a sod house for six years, he built his present comfortable residence 
and has made many useful and valuable improvements upon his place which 
add to its beauty. His first wife died here in 1882, leaving three 
children, namely: Sadie, and Flossie and Frantie, twins. He was again 
married, January 17, 1884, his second union being with Miss Penila 
Wilson, by whom he has one son, Roy Wilson Webb. His wife owns three 
quarter-sections of land, which together with the three hundred and 
twenty acres that our subject owns, make a fine farm of eight hundred 
acres. 

Fraternally, Mr. Webb is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Aberdeen, 
in which he has passed all the chairs, and has also been a delegate to 
the grand lodge. He was president of the local Farmers Alliance for 
several years and treasurer of the County Alliance. He supported the 
Republican party until the reform party was organized, and has since 
been a Populist. In the fall of 1896 he was elected to the state 
senate, and was an honored member of that body in 1897 and 1898, 
serving as chairman of the committee on military affairs. He has been 
chairman of the board of supervisors for nine years, and a member of 
the same ever since Aberdeen township was organized. During the entire 
time he has also served as school treasurer, and his various official 
duties have always been discharged with the utmost promptness and 
fidelity. As a citizen he merits and receives the respect and esteem of 
all who know him, and he has made a host of warm friends during his 
residence in Brown county.