William C. Webster, vice-president of the First National Bank of Marion, was born in this city in the old homestead at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets March 16, 1839.

        George W. Webster, father of William C., was born at Fairfax, Vermont, near St. Albans, where he lived until about twenty years of age, when he went to New Orleans, thence went to Piqua, Ohio, and later came to Marion. Here he followed his trade of carpenter and builder, building many houses, bridges, etc., including a dwelling for his father-in-law, Dr. McKinney, in 1836 or 1837, and was one of the contractors to build the first railroad through Marion. He built a college edifice in Chicago, and many bridges in Illinois and Iowa, as well as church edifices. In politics he was a stanch Republican and once served out an unexpired term as county treasurer. He died February 13, 1892, at the age of eighty years and seven months.

        George W. Webster married Maria J. McKinney, who was born May 12, 1816, in Miami county, Ohio, and died in June, 1893; both were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Webster bore her husband eight children, of whom five attained maturity: William C., the subject of this sketch; Euretta, wife of Dr. Milton Jay, of Chicago; Elery C., M. D., of Marion; George, Jr., cashier of the Marion Bank and Marietta, wife of George W. Spencer, of Chicago.

        William C. Webster passed his boyhood days in what is now the city of Marion, when it was a wooded country place, and grew up with the city. When quite young he began clerking in a dry-goods store for his father and others, then went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and was associated with J. W. Lowell & Co. as junior partner in the wholesale grocery trade. While in St. Joseph, in 1865, he took a contract to supply the United States government with fifty thousand bushels of corn at Denver and Fort Laramie, to deliver which he made two trips across the plains by stage.

        After about a year passed in St. Joseph Mr. Webster went to the vicinity of Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he leased a large cotton plantation, in the management of which he lost all the money he had made in St. Joseph. He next passed a year in Chicago, Illinois, and made some money on the board of trade, but lost it. He then returned to Marion and engaged in the grocery trade for several years. He then spent one year in Chicago in a successful lumber trade, and then returned to Marion, re-engaged in the grocery business, in which he prospered for several years.

        The next venture of Mr. Webster was in the real-estate business in 1888, when he united with G. N. Winchel and laid out one hundred and eighty-nine acres in building lots, and helped locate a number of factories on the grounds, including the Stewart & Estep glass factory. He still owns several houses and lots in this division.

        Mr. Webster was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, was one of the first directors, and is now its vice-president. He is one of the stockholders and directors of the Marion Brick Company and its vice-president. He was the first president of the improvement committee to boom the city of Marion, and likewise a pioneer promoter and president of the Commercial Club. He and Mr. Winchel started the subscription list to induce the officials to locate the Soldiers Home at Marion. He was also a prime mover in securing the construction of the street-car lines, and it may be truly said that he has done his share to make Marion what it is to-day.

        Mr. Webster was married, in Marion, December 22, 1868, to Miss Caroline Hall, who was born in the vicinity of the city and is a daughter of Stephen D. and Philadelphia Hall. To this union have been born three children, namely: Frank, who died in infancy; Jesse and Nellie, who are still under the parental roof.

        In politics Mr. Webster has ever been a stanch Republican and an active and influential worker for the party, but would never accept public office. Mrs. Webster and her daughters are members of the Christian church, and of this body Mr. Webster is a trustee.