Asaph B. Webb

            ASAPH B. WEBB, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 4, 1811. His father was Samuel Barrack Webb. He was born in one of the Eastern Colonies in 1758, and died in Ohio, in 1845, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His mother’s maiden name was Mary Bull. She was born in 1775, and died in 1847, at the age of seventy-two years. His father was born during the French and Indian war, while the French and English nations were contending in a fierce struggle for supremacy upon the Western Continent, and there is a tradition to the effect that the father of Samuel B. Webb, or the great-grandfather of the present generation of Webb’s served in that war. Samuel B. Webb left his home before he was seventeen years old to enter the Revolutionary army. He served through the war, and received an honorable discharge. He took part in some of the principal battles of the Revolution; participated in the siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. He served again in the war of 1812. He belonged to the Army of the Center, and was with Gen. Pike at Toronto, when the British magazine exploded, resulting in the death of that brave officer. He was at the storming of Fort George, and accompanied the army on its second invasion of Canada. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged.

    Asaph B. Webb was his own unaided exertions, and by the light of the hickory bark torch. Many a night did he study until near midnight, lying flat upon his back, with his head toward the fire, holding his slate and arithmetic so the torch-light could fall upon them, and shielding his head from the heat of the fire by a board. Thus did he become one of the best mathematicians of the common schools.

    He removed to Jay County, Ind., in 1849, and to Emmettsville, Randolph County in 1851. He was a prominent country school teacher until near the meridian of life, and was also engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He served three terms as Justice of the Peace, and one term as Trustee of Green Township.

    He married his first wife, Margaret Rook, August 20, 1837. Her parents were Samuel and Eleanor Rook. By the first marriage, Mr. Webb and wife had seven children –three sons and four daughters. Mary Eleanor was born May 26, 1838. She married William Williamson, and now resides at Chester, Wayne Co., Ind. Samuel Harrison was born February 28, 1840. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, three months’ service, but before his term had expired he became a veteran by re-enlisting in the three years’ service. While in the three months’ service he took part in the battle of Rich Mountain and minor engagements. He was afterward with Gen. Curtis during his campaign in Missouri and Arkansas, and was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark. He was with Gen. Grant during his Mississippi campaign, and participated in the battle and siege of Jackson, the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills and Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg. At Vicksburg he distinguished himself in the terrible assault made upon the fortifications. At one time he seized the old flag when it was falling from the nerveless grasp of its third bearer, and carried it at the head of the column to the very walls of the fort. He was with Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, during the campaign that resulted in the disorganization of Early’s army. But he sacrificed his life on his country’s altar in the final struggle at Cedar Creek. He lived long enough to know that the victory had been gained by the Union arms. He died October 22, 1864, aged twenty-four years seven months and twenty-four days. Thomas J. was born June 3, 1843. In 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and fell in his first battle, Richmond, Ky., August 29, 1862, aged nineteen years two months and twenty-six days. Malinda N. was born January 6, 1845; Isabella was born November 14, 1846, and died August 16, 1847. William W. was born July 23, 1848 and died July 23, 1849; Margaret, wife of Mr. Webb, died May 18, 1849, in the thirty-fourth year of her age. On the 1^st of January 1850, Mr. Webb was married to Phebe R. Kelley. She was born in Southern Ohio October 29, 1819. She is the daughter of Jason and Phebe R. Havens. Her mother’s maiden name was Harris. The children by the second marriage are as follows: Lycurgus H., born November 19, 1850, died August 27, 1862; A. Benton, born March 17, 1852, a school teacher by profession. He is at present located at Washington, Wayne Co., Ind. He married Lucy L. Conn, March 23, 1882; Prudence was born November 14, 1854, and died October 3, 1855; Laura R. was born March 22, 1856. She married John V. Thornbury, and now resides near the old home. Lucetta D. was born November 3, 1857, she married Henry Bickner and resides at Ridgeville; Lola was born September 29,1 860. She is a successful school teacher and is at present located at Emmettsville. She was married to Frank R. Thornburg, October 30, 1881. Mr. Webb, the subject of this memoir, died December 20, 1872, aged sixty-one years. His widow married Jacob Rook, January 19, 1880.

Source: History of Randolph County, Indiana by E. Tucker, 1882. Page 503, 504.