James Jefferson Webster Sr.
| 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 (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Centenary United Methodist Church, Stoneville, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Nannie Hurt Strong |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | Stoneville, Rockingham County, North Carolina, United States |
James Jefferson Webster Sr. (September 27, 1898 – May 24, 1965) was a North Carolinian businessman, farmer, and politician. He ran a general store and co-ran a car dealership in Rockingham County. He also served as a county commissioner for 10 years.
James Jefferson Webster was born on September 27, 1898 in Patrick County, Virginia to James William Webster and Lillie Frances Davis.
In 1927 Webster purchased a wood-built store at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 135 and Settle Bridge Road in Rockingham County, North Carolina and opened J.J. Webster's Store. 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; he allowed farmers to purchase goods on credit and would wait to call their tab after their tobacco had been sold. Webster was also a dairy farmer. 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 W.D.S. Motors, Incorporated. A new W.D.S. Motors building opened on October 5, 1940.
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. 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.
In 1955 the wooden J.J. Webster Store building was moved and a brick structure was erected in its place.
Webster was married to Nannie Hurt Strong. He died on May 24, 1965 from a heart attack. He was buried at Centenary United Methodist Church in Stoneville.
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.
...
Wikipedia