Jesse Franklin Webb, my great-grandfather, was born June 2, 1893 in North Carolina.

On December 4, 1898, when Jesse was just five years-old, his mom died (Mary Jane Palmer – b. 1855). Then in 1901, his half-sister, Esta M. Webb, was born. Half-brother Lester Webb was born in 1906.

The 1910 Census shows a 19 year-old Jesse listed as a boarder in Slab Fork, Raleigh Co, WV with occupation: coal miner.

Jesse served in World War I, PVT 53rd Infantry:

His headstone application shows his date of enlistment as March 8, 1918:

His WWI Draft Registration lists his occupation as farming:

In 1919, Jesse married Florence Ann Martin.

On the 1920 Census, Jesse is listed as a farmer on a “Truck farm” in Laurel Fork, Carrol Co, VA:

Jesse welcomed son Roy C. Webb in 1921, and son James F. Webb in 1924. Then on October 23, 1925, Jesse’s dad (Legrand F. Webb – b. 1855) passed away. In 1927, son Herman T. Webb was born.

The 1930 Census shows Jesse working on his own farm in Forest Hill, Summers Co, WV but notes that he doesn’t have a radio:

In 1931, son Donald Webb was born, and son Jack William Webb, Sr was welcomed to the family in 1932. In 1936, son Melvin Webb was born, and then in 1939 my grandfather – Leonard Alvin Webb.

On the 1940 Census, Jesse is listed as a farm owner whose highest level of education was “High School, 1st year”:

In 1941, Jesse lost his sister, Sarah Elizabeth Webb.

Jesse is listed as self-employed in 1942 on his World War II Draft Registration:

On June 17, 1945, son Herman T. Webb died. In 1949, at the age of 56, Jesse is listed as living in Mount Airy, NC:

Jesse Franklin Webb is listed on son Roy Calvin Webb’s marriage certificate in 1952:

Jesse died March 2, 1960 in Beckley, Raleigh Co, WV. His cause of death is listed as congestive heart failure due to rheumatic heart disease.

He is buried at Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery, Forest Hill, Summers Co, WV.