Reuben Cougil Webster

REUBEN COUGIL WEBSTER was born September 24, 1843, in Grant County, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. When twenty-three years old he moved to Missouri, living there eight years, after which he moved to Stafford County, Kansas, where he resided eighteen years, living in the town five years. He was once mayor of that town. Later he moved to Ottawa, Kansas, in order to send the children to college, living there one year, after which he moved to Ness County, two miles from Utica, Kansas, where he lived until coming to Scott County, residing one-half mile west of Scott City, Kansas, for fifteen years. He was recognized in each community in which he lived as one of the best citizens, esteemed and held in highest regard by all.

A great reader and student he took a great interest in public affairs, but his greatest interest was devoted to his family. He was a republican in politics until the last fifteen years of his life, and from that time leaned toward the socialist party. He was a corporal in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and fought in the war from October 28, 1862, to April 4, 1865, in the great Civil war.

June 9, 1867, he was married to Georgia Ann Sechrist, daughter of William and Mary Jane Sechrist. To this union four children were born: Ida G., Reuben Cornelius, Ada E. and Daniel LaFayette. October 25, 1847, following the death of his wife, he was married to Harriette Alin Sechrist, a younger sister of his first wife. To this union were born eight children: Ora Ann, Ulysses, Era, Cleora, Ura Mildred, Olla S., Ara Dee, Ina Fortner and Leo I. D. Reuben Cornelius, the eldest son, now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was engaged in the mercantile business with M. E. Boulware as a partner for fifteen years at Utica, Kansas. He now has extensive oil interests in three eastern Kansas counties. Daniel LaFayette resides in Eastern Kansas. He was converted when sixteen years of age and his greatest wish was to become a minister of the gospel. Leo I. D., the youngest son of Reuben Congil Webster, resides on a ranch near Lamar, Colorado. He is engaged in farming and livestock raising.

After a lingering illness of eighteen months Reuben Cougil Webster died Tuesday evening, April 8, 1918, at the Webster farm home, just one half mile west of Scott City, Kansas. He was buried in the Utica Cemetery by the side of two of his daughters, Era Cleora and Olla S. His lifetime occupation was farming and livestock raising and he was an extensive land holder at the time of his death.