Simon Webb

Simon Webb was born Aug 3, 1831 in Crewkerne, England to Samuel and Anne Furzer Webb. Simon is a Pioneer of Richmond. Simon was a veteran of the Indian Wars.

History

At an early age, Simon began working as an apprentice in a local factory. He was unable to receive an extensive education at an early age.

Simon married Elizabeth Rowsell on Sep 18, 1851 in Crewkerne, England. The Webb family made their home in Crewkerne. While in their home, they were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Simon's grandaughter relates:

"Although Simon was not overly religious, he was a good man and attended his church duties and paid all his obligations. His chief reason for wanting to come to Utah was to be near the Church and to better his condition for his family."

The Webb family began their journey to Utah right after their baptism. While gathering to move to Utah, the Webb family made their way to visit Simon's brothers in Wales. From this visit, Simon's brothers later joined the Church in the 1870s. The Webb family sailed on the Manchester on May 6, 1862 from Liverpool, arriving in New York City, New York, on June 12. 

The Webb family made their way to Florence, Nebraska, joining the Henry W. Miller Company on Aug 5, 1862, and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Oct 17. In their company was Judson Shepard, who had been called by the Church of help Saints move across the plains. He became acquainted with the Webb family and invited them to move to Richmond. During their crossing of the plains, Simon had to bury his 11-month-old child. 

Once the Webb family arrived in Richmond, they moved to the home of Bishop Marriner W. Merrill for a few days before being invited by Thomas Titensor to live in his home within the Richmond Fort. They lived with the Titensor family until the spring of 1863 when they built their own home. Once conflicts between the Saints and the Native Americans had been settled, the Webb family moved out into their city plot.

Simon entered the practice of polygamy on Aug 3, 1882 when he married Harrite Brooks Skidmore. In 1888, Simon was arrested for his practice of polygamy and served in the State Penitentiary in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a few months.

In 1903, Simon sold a few acres of land to construct the Utah Condensed Milk Co., later called the Sego Milk Co. He leased a water reservoir on the property for 99 years at $10/year.

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. Simon was appointed as a Private.

Member of the City Council (1897 - 1899)

Epilogue