The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-11-01
JAMES A. WEBB
DIED TN CITY
Death 0vertakes Aged Philan-
thropist on Saturday in
New York City.
DID MUCH GOOD FOR MADISON

suddenly in New York city on Satur-
day afternoon last Of heart disease.
He left his home for the city that
morning apparently in good health
spent the morning down town where
he met and chatted with several
friends. He was with his grandson, e.
p. Holden, jr, just before twelve
O'Clock saying that he must 90 up
town to attend to two or three err
rands.
His physician and his family had
for some time known that be was sub
ject to these heart attacks and had
been anxious about the matter. His
first need at such times was glass of
water and more than once had stepped
from the street into whatever place
he was passing seeking relief.
On Saturday afternoon going
through West Sixty-frst street the
attack was severe, the need great and
dazed by the acute pain he went into
the first open door, that of. plain
apartment house and knocked on the
first available door, that of Mrs. Law
lor. She heard Mr. Webb's groans,
his feeble request for water and realiz-
| ing that the stranger was very sick
man summoned DIR. Wynne, who
chanced to be close at hand. He did
his best to give relief but the end
came almost Immediately.
The family in Madison were at once
notified OF Mr.. Webbs sudden illness
and death and as soon as the necessary
formalities could be complied with the
body was brought to Madison by mem
bers of the family in special car at
tached to one OF the regular trains.
Mr. Webb was born in Norwich, N.
Y, February 5, 1880, son of Angus
tus Van Horn and Phoebe (Baker)
Webb, of New York City.
Augustus Van Horn Webb was
reared in New York city, and in early
life engaged in the dry-goods business.
He removed to Norwich, in 1880, and
engaged in the manufacture of wooden
goods. From ois father he inherited
considerable inventive genius, and
during his residence in Norwich he in
vented fluid and lamp for lighting
purposes,-a substitute for candles
and whale-oil, then in general use for
illuminating. In 1886 he resumed his
residences in New York city, and
about that time he invented "Camp-
hene," and lamp known thereafter
throughout the world as Webb's
burner"
James A. Webb was educated at the
academy of Barry a. Lockwood, and
began his business career with his
father, where he remained but a few
months. In August, 1843 he entered
the establishment OF Doremus, Suy-
dam & Nixon, wholesale dry.goods
merchants, located at the corner of
Nassau and Liberty streets, opposite
the old South Dutch church. There
he continued faithful to the interests
Of his employers until August, l848,
when he enterec the employ of Arnold,
Southworth & Company, wholesale
jobbers and importers OF fancy goods.
He was the accountant for this firm
for some five years, when, in March,
1858, he gave up his position in order
to embark in business on his own ac-
count. His father. though in failing
health, rendered valuable assistance
to the young man in his new under
J taking, which codsisted la the refining
Of camphene and alcohol and the man
ufacture Of burning fluid, the elder
man having invented some important
/ Improvements 10 the 4 production Of
the articles of commerce mentioned.
Mr.. Webb built and operated refineries
in Newark, N. j., and in New York
city.
Mr.. Webb confined his residence in
New York city until 1862, when he re-
moved to Madison He was married in
1852 TO Margaretta Baker, daughter
Of Jacob and Anna Maria (Brittin)
Baker. Mrs. Webb is native OF
Westfeld, N. ]. The two children of
Mr.. and Mrs. Webb are Ella Zebra
and James Augustus. The daughter
was educated at Vassar college and is
now the wife Of Edward Packard
Holden. of Madison, who for years has
bren connected with the Mutual Life
Insurance company, OF New York city.
James Augustus Webb, jr., died on
the 9Th Of April, 1887. In his memory
his father built the Webb Memorial
chapel in Madison.
James A. Webb, sr. !. was active In
tht work that developes the character
and lifts man from the sordid things
Of life to "a purer and broader view. >
He was one OF the organizers of the
Young Mems Christian association OF
Madison, and was It's second presi-
dent. A lifelong member OF the
Presbyterian church, he was treasurer
OF his home church and was superin-
tendent Of the Sunday school for
many years.
Mr.. Webb was 4 director and vice.
president Of the First National Band
Of Madison; was one of the organizers
and directors OF the M0rristown Trust
c0nnt,Anv n dirartor nf kha Cofa ~