Franklin Laberee

As printed in 1894

FRANKLIN LABEREE, deceased, was born in Whitefield, Me., on the 17th of November, 1828, and died in Winona on the 23d of July, 1893, respected by all who knew him. While in his native state he served an apprenticeship to a ship-carpenter, and became an expert workman, gaining great proficiency. For twenty-eight years he was an employe of the North-Western Railway, doing carpenter work. His services were used for the fine interior finishing work on the palace cars until that branch of the business was transferred to Chicago, after which he was employed for the interior finishing of depots, etc. During the late war Mr. Laberee responded to the call for troops, enlisting in Company F, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, on the 11th of August, 1862. He served for three years and one month, and when the war was over was honorably discharged, on the 20th of September, 1865.

Mr. Laberee was married on the 4th of March, 1869, in Winona, to Mrs. Sarah Jane Eastey, whose maiden name was Alden. She is a native of Milo, Yates County, N. Y., but was reared in Steuben County, that state. To them was born one son.

Rolla J., who is now in the employ of the Chicago & North- Western Railway Company.

Mr. Laberee was a trusted employe, and the confidence reposed in him was well deserved, for he was always faithful to the company and its best interests. His time and attention were almost entirely given to the work, which was in no way neglected. He voted with the Democratic party, but was not actively interested in politics.

Marshall Bailey Webber.

MARSHALL BAILEY WEBBER is a worthy representative of the Bar of Winona County, and is successfully engaged in practice in the city of Winona. He was born in Raymond, Racine County, Wis., on the 2d of August, 1850, and is the son of Samuel and Sabra A. (Bailey) Webber. Their family numbered four children, three of whom are yet living. He is descended from the Puritan forefathers who founded the colony of IMassachusetts. His grandfather, Loriug Webber, was a native of the old Bay State, and was a Puritan Baptist of the strictest type. He was born February 16, 1791, and in 1837 emigrated to the territory of Wisconsin, where he secured from the Government a large tract of land, and engaged in farming, locating in Racine County-, Raymond Township, at which place he died on the ist of.January, 1885, at the advanced age of ninctj-four years. The grandmother on the father's side was Sarah Upham, who was born in Brimfield, Mass., January 18, 1794, and died March 21, 1886. The grandfather and grandmother on hia mother's side were of New

Hampshire stock, his grandfather being Jonathan Bailey, who was born in Weare, N. H., January 19, 1792, and was engaged in teaching and farming. His grandmother was Sarah Marshall, who was born in Deerfleld, N. H., January 28, 1790. Jonathan Bailey and wife emigrated from New Hampshire to the state of Wisconsin in September, 1841. with a family of several children, including the m(other of the subject of this sketch, who was then but a small girl. Jonathan Baileydied in Clifton, Pierce County, Wis., June 11, 1866, and his wife died in the same place, January 17, 1865. Sabra Amelia Bailey, mother of Marshall B., was born in Unity, Sullivan County, N. H., July 13, 1826, and was united in marriage with Samuel Webber October 2, 1842. Samuel Webber, the father of Marshall B., was born July 11, 1822, in Holland, Hampton Counts', in the state of Massachubetls, and for three years previous to his father's emigration to Wisconsin worked in the cotton factory at Sturbridge, Mass. On coining to the then territory of Wisconsin, he engaged in farming with his father, Loring Webber, upon a section of langt upon which he now resides in Raymond, Racine County, Wis. He is now the oldest resident in that county, and has always been one of the public-spirited, leading and influential citizens of his county, throughout the community being held in the highest esteem by old and young, rich and peoi alike.

Marshall B. Webber was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, and lived with his parents upon the home farm until eighteen jearsof age, assisting in the work of his father's farm. His early education was acquired in the common schools, which he attended during boyhood, subsequently entering the Racine High School. After leaving the latter, he continued his studies for a couple of j'ears in the Rochester Academy, preparatory to his entering Hinsdale (Mich.) College, from which institution he was graduated with honor, carrying off the prize membership of his class, June 17, 187,5. Thus he obtained an excellent literary education, which furnished the solid foundation on which to rest the knowledge he would gain along special lines.

September, 1875, witnessed the arrival of Mr. Webber in Winona, Minn. Here he began reading law in the office of Hon. W. H. Yale, and in the fall of 1877 was admitted to the Bar of Winona County, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He first formed a partnership with Governor Yale, which continued for about three years, when he was elected Prosecuting State's Attorney, which position he filled for two years. On being elected

Prosecuting Attorney, the partnership existing between himself and Governor Yale was dissolved, since wiiich time he has been alone, devoting his energies entirely to his increasing legal business, and is now recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the state. He is attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and also for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern, and has been extremely successful in the trial of cases, his ability, both natural and acquired, being such as to command the admiration of all, and justly winning for him a well earned reputation as a lawyer and citizen. On the 2d of January, 1879, Mr. Webber was united in marriage with Miss Agnes M. Robertson, daughter of John and Matilda (Goheen) Robertson, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. She is a most estimable and cultured lady, and. like her husband, holds an enviable position in social circles. Where true worth and intelligence are received as passports into good society, Mr. and Mis. Webber are always found.

In his political views Mr. Webber has always been a Republican and a firm protectionist, but is not what may be termed a politician. He is a member of the order of the Knights of Pythias, being one of the first members of Winona Lodge No. 21, in which lodge he has occupied all the chairs. He is an earnest and enterprising young man, devoted to the interests of the city and state, and his support and co-operation are withheld from nothing that tends to benefit the community.

John Staniels French.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.