Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-20
OBITUARY.



Hon. William l.. Webster died at his
home in Franklin, Idaho, on Wednes-
day, April 18th. About two weeks ago
he was kicked in the stomach by horse.
He became insensible, but IN little
while felt all right and walked home.
About Il week nfier he was taken with
crampsin the stomach and continued to
grow worse until the timo of his death.
The funeral was held saturday, April
10th, at p. M, in the Franklin meeting
house.
w. L. Webster, who has represented
his county in the Idaho legislature, was
born at sandy Lane Bottom, Yorkshire,
England, October 81, 1884, At the age
OF III he was npprentiCed to the boot and
shoe business at the town of Clayton,
Yorkshire, England, at which he served
seven years. Just before he was
out OF his appren iceship he
Joined the Mormon Church, being
bap lied by Elder George Robin
ministry Tor the next two years. Ho
sailed from Liverpool on board the
George Washing on on tho 10Th OF
March, 1851, and landed in Boston after
| n twenty. days pa sage. He wen. TO
work at his business at Worchester,
about three miles from Boston; removed
back TO Boston in the fail and engaged
HIS foreman for n Mr.. Wilson, formerly
of London, England. Shortly after this
he went into partnership with Mr..
James Slack and opened u boot and shoe
establishment.
In may. 1859, Miss Emma Whayley, OF
Clayton, England, arrived in Boston, and
on the l3tn OF June she and Mr.. Wob-
ster We're married by Elder John Eard-
ley, president of tho Boston branch.
He did good business aud made suf-
iicient means to bring him to U all. He
left Boston early in May, 1860, and
star ed from Florence on the 9th of June
in an independent company, Jesse Muir
ply captain, aud arrived In Salt Lake
City about The LIST OF September. He
Immediately went into the shoe business,
working first Tor L. b. Frederick, afer-
wards Tor Mr.. Riser, and then for him
self until October 20 h, when nc left Salt
Lake Ci y for Franklin, which was then
a frontier town.
In Franklin Brother Webster followed
his occupation in the boot and shoe trade
and in 1875 connected wi IN IL tho harness
branch; in 1877 he added merchandising
on small scale, buying his bills OF
goods on credit When tho Utah North
ern was in process Of construction from
Franklin north, he removed to Oneida,
now Aramo. In 1879 he removed to
Eagle Rock, where he flourished in
business, and next LAoved to Beaver
Canyon, during which time he made
many satlsfac DRY relations along the
line and grew in commercial reputation.
He removed 10 Franklin in the iall of
1879 and resumed his mercantile BUSH
ness there.
lie was elected by the Peoples party
10 the Idaho legislature. lie went to
Boise City in December OF 1880, and
served in the house in the winter OF 1880
Sc, aud he was elected 10 the council in
1882, and served his term defending the
rgh of his constl uenta and giving
general satisfaction. While in the lsgis.
lature he assisted in passing several
popular bills and withstood the bitter
fight OF the an.i-Mormons. sill he made
many friends at Boise City aud was re-
spocted by the opposition for his manly
defense OF his people. IL 1884 his name
was placed In nomination for the ,hIrd
term, but his son William, who was a
partner with him, being on mission in
the Southern States, ne could not leave
tue management OF his business, and in
consequence he declined tho nomination.
Mr.. Webster continued in the mercan-
tile business until June 1889, his house
being one OF The leading houses In Cache
Valley. At this time the merchnn of
Franklin agreed to consolidate their yari-
GUS businesses into one mercantile lnsu-
tuition, now known As the Oneida Mer-
chhtlle bhloni anu, no Mllnatanding
Webster's prosperity and influence with
the citizens, he sacrificed hi, own busi-
ness to join this commercial union.
AT the organization OF the Oneida s AXE,
Elder Webster was ordained u member
oil The High Council and also set apart
as superintendenl OF Sunday schools, and
devoted much time and energy to the
Sunday school cause In which he took
much pleasure until the day OF his death.
-P-estUn, Idaho, Herald.