J.J. Webster

James Jefferson Webster
Rockingham County Commissioner
In office
November 3, 1942 – 1952
Preceded by Harvey Glenn
Personal details
Born September 27, 1898
Patrick County, Virginia
Died May 24, 1965(1965-05-24) (aged 66)
Resting place Centenary United Methodist Church, Stoneville, North Carolina
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Nannie Hurt Strong
Children 5

James Jefferson Webster Sr. (September 27, 1898 – May 24, 1965) was a North Carolinian businessman, farmer, and politician. He owned a general store and co-ran a car dealership in Rockingham County. He also served as a county commissioner for 10 years.

Biography

James Jefferson Webster was born on September 27, 1898 in Patrick County, Virginia to James William Webster and Lillie Frances Davis. He was one of six children. The family relocated to Rockingham County, North Carolina where his father was possibly employed in the construction of the Avalon Mill. By the time he was six, Webster was orphaned, and he spent the next few years living with his brothers and other families. On December 24, 1923, he married Nannie Hurt Strong in Martinsville, Virginia and had five children with her.[1]

In 1927 Webster purchased a wood-built store at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 135 and Settle Bridge Road in Rockingham County and opened J.J. Webster's Store.[2] As the local general store, it served as a gathering point for the Shiloh community. Webster used his position as the store's owner to assist struggling families in the area;[3] he allowed farmers to purchase goods on credit and would wait to call their tab after their tobacco had been sold.[2] Webster was also a dairy farmer[3] and operated tobacco warehouses in Stoneville and Clarkton.[1] On May 1, 1937 Webster, together with George Amos Dillon, Robert Smith, and Clyde Smith, opened an Oldsmobile car dealership in a sheet-metal garage building in Madison under the name of W.D.S. Motors, Incorporated. A new W.D.S. Motors building opened on October 5, 1940.[4] In 1955 the wooden J.J. Webster Store building was moved and a brick structure was erected in its place.[2]

Political career

James Jefferson Webster and his wife, Nannie Hurt Strong, with their car

On November 3, 1942 Webster (receiving 241 votes from Madison) was elected as a member of the Democratic Party to the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners.[5] In the late 1940s he managed W. Kerr Scott's successful gubernatorial campaign. When Scott passed a large road construction project through the state legislature, Webster used his position as county commissioner to ensure that N.C. Highway 135 and Settle Bridge Road were paved. He remained on the Board of Commissioners until 1952.[3]

Death

Webster suffered a heart attack[2] and died on May 24, 1965. He was buried at Centenary United Methodist Church in Stoneville, where he was a parishioner.[1]

Legacy

J.J. Webster Highway sign

J.J. Webster's Store was run by Webster's family after his death. After his son James Jefferson Webster II died the stock of the business was sold to a family friend in 1978. The brick store was closed on December 31, 1994 and soon thereafter demolished to make room for an expansion of N.C. Highway 135.[2][3]

In May 1995 following the concurrence of Rockingham County's municipalities, the Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to dedicate N.C. Highway 135 in Webster's name.[3] On July 7, 1995 at the recommendation of Douglas Galyon, the North Carolina Board of Transportation passed a resolution renaming the highway.[6] A formal dedication ceremony took place at 11:00 A.M. on October 28, 1998 at Dalton L. McMichael High School.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 King, Nancy Webster (1983). "James Jefferson Webster". The Heritage of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 1983. Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Rockingham County Historical Society in cooperation with Hunter Publishing Company. p. 676. ISBN 0-89459-212-2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Maria C. (17 December 1994). "PROGRESS FORCES STORE OFF BEATEN PATH". News & Record. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Proposed Highway Name Honors Store Owner". News & Record. Eden. May 5, 1995. p. R1.
  4. ↑ Dillon, Vera W. (1983). "Seaborn Archibald Dillon Family". The Heritage of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 1983. Rockingham County Historical Society in cooperation with Hunter Publishing Company. p. 241.
  5. ↑ "Democrats Sweep Rockingham". Madison Messenger. XXXIX. Madison. November 5, 1942. p. 1.
  6. ↑ J. J. Webster Dedication, North Carolina Department of Transportation Public Information Office, 1998
  7. ↑ The North Carolina Department of Transportation Cordially Invites You To Attend A Dedication Ceremony Naming N.C. 135 Between N.C. 770 And U.S. 220 Business in Mayodan The J.J. Webster Highway, Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1998
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