Charles  F. Webster


          Charles F. Webster, was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, December 9, 1837; son of George  and  Martha (Gath) Webster.  The parents of Mr. Webster were also born in the same English State.  Father born in 1809, and died in 1874; mother born in 1810, and died in 1862.  The Webster family came to America in 1843, and and settled in Shelby County, Ind., and here the parents of our subject died at the time as stated above.  The subject is the fifth of seven children.  Received a common school education.  At the age of nineteen he began teaching school and continued in the occupation for six terms, and during this time studied surveying, which in after years became so beneficial to him.  Later, he held the position of Deputy county Surveyor of this county.  In 1874, he was elected Surveyor of Shelby County; re-elected in 1878, and elected again in 1880--serving three full terms.  For quite a number of years he held the office of City Engineer of Shelbyville.  It is stating the fact without exaggeration to say, that Mr. Webster was one of the most efficient Surveyors the county has ever had.  During 1870, Mr. Webster made and had copyrighted a Surveyor's Record.  During the winter of 1885, he made and had copyrighted a General Index of Roads.  Mr. Webster continued surveying and engineering until April, 1886, when he engaged in the grocery business, which he now continues.  He was married in 1861 to  Miss Minerva Shaffer, a native of Pennsylvania.  To this union seven children were born:  Cora M.,  Fannie M.,  George W.,  Gracie,  Daisy, Gertrude H.,  and  Bessie.  He is a Democrat and an honorable man.
History of Shelby County, Indiana,  "Shelbyville Sketches,"  Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, page 544.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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