Lewis Franklin Webster

E.F. Webster's 2-Room Homestead House

• General Notes
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    Lewis Franklin Webster was the youngest son of Elijah F. and Mary Elizabeth Webster. He was born in Highland Co. Ohio and came with his parents as a seven year old to Sumner County, Kansas in 1885 where they settled near Caldwell, Kansas. Lewis attended school at Corbin, Kansas until 1893. His father made the run for a Homestead in the Cherokee Strip Opening in September 1893. The family then moved to the homestead in Grant Co. Oklahoma Territory near the future towns of Deer Creek and Lamont. Lewis grew to adulthood on the homestead. About 1904 he acquired a relinquished Claim and married December 11, 1904. Lewis and his wife, Minnie Dorman Webster resided on their farm for many years until a tornado destroyed their home and other buildings in May 1955.
    
    They then moved into Lamont, Oklahoma in 1955 where they resided until their deaths.Lewis operated his farm until age 72, retired, rented his land. His farm was in the same general area as the other Webster families. It was about a mile north of his parents farm.
    
    Lewis took the County Teachers Examination in 1899 to apply for a Teaching Certificate but was not approved. His youngest daughter, Betty Lou, tells me that Lew was an avid Chess player and was always looking for an opponent. He enjoyed playing her husband, Frosty Maxwell, and she said her father usually defeated Frosty.
    
    A grand daughter, Donna Currier Garner reports that Lewis and Minnie played Dominoes and Backgammon often. She says that Dominoes were always on the table ready for a game. They played only with Double Twelves. Their Dominoes were on the table when the Tornado hit. Donna found all but two of them during the clean-up. She has these Dominoes in her possession. The white was gone from the dots so she has restored the white dots.
    
    The newspaper account of their wedding is of interest: Wedding Bells------- Married, at the Baptist Church at Nardin on Sunday evening, December 11, 1904, Mr. Lewis F. Webster of Deer Creek and Miss Minnie I. Dorman, of Nardin, Rev. Edmond of Blackwell officiating.
    
    The Church was packed to the door with friends of the couple and after an able sermon all witnessed the solemn ceremony that made this man and woman one.
    
    Mr. Webster is well known in our vicinity as a man whom we all respect for his open-hearted, straight forward ways; a gentlemen to the core. In fact he is a "Webster" which tells the whole story. While the bride, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. W. W. Dorman, is an accomplished young lady and loved by a circle of Nardin's young people on account of her winning disposition and lovable character.
    
    Certainly in thinking of the bright future which lays before Mr. and Mrs. Webster, we have the right to congratulate both of them in their happy union. We along with their host of friends and relatives, wish them a long and prosperous journey through life.
    
    RECEPTION:
    "On Monday the grandest reception ever held here was given in honor of the newly married couple at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Webster, parents of the groom. Eighty two invited guests gathered to spend the day and partake of a most elaborate nuptial feast. It seemed that everything that is good to eat was there in abundance and all present seemed to think it was prepared to eat.
    
    The couple received an abundance of wedding presents. Among the many gifts, were Silver Spoons, Teapots, bowels, trays, etc. Other gifts included China Dishes, Plates, Tea Cups; Table Cloth. Sets of Napkins, Bon Bon Dishes, Soup Plates, Jewelry Case, Several Water Sets, and many other appropriate gifts. E. F. Webster gave the couple a Fat Hog to butcher."