Page:One of a thousand.djvu/651

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WEBB. WEBBER. 637 During his pastorate the present com- modious house of worship was erected — begun February 10, 1863, and dedicated February n, 1864. The war at this time was the one exacting, absorbing thing, ex- hausting the sympathies and resources of loyal men. Though not legally liable to the draft, Dr. Webb placed a substitute in the field, and spent some time with others amid the armed camps, studying the sani- tary and moral conditions of the soldiers, perceiving and reporting necessities which were afterwards met, as far as possible, by the sanitary and Christian commissions. Dr. Webb spoke often for the soldiers, in addition to his great pastoral and pulpit labors. In 1864 Williams College con- ferred upon him the degree of D. D., an honor repeated by his alma mater a few years later. Soon after coming to Boston, he was chosen a member of the executive commit- tee of tlie Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, a position which, with slight inter- ruption, he has held ever since. He traveled extensively through the West, and from southern California to the British Provin- ces, with the cause of home missions on his heart. He also felt the necessity for the education of the freedmen, and fre- quently and earnestly pleaded for their moral and spiritual elevation. In 1S76 he was elected a member of the prudential committee of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Mis- sions, having previously visited many of the missionary stations in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor, Constantinople, Athens, etc. As a preacher, he loved to dwell upon the distinguishing doctrines of Christianity. Decidedly evangelical, he threw the warmth and magnetism of his own heart into the teachings of the pulpit and the prayer- meeting. 1 >r. Webb retired from his charge on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his settlement with Shawmut church, October 4, 1885. At a meeting of the church and society, November 10, he was declared pastor emer- itus. In parting, Dr. Webb presented the church with his valuable theological library. His present residence is Wellesley. En- gaged in special pastoral service, he still labors in the various departments of his life work — preaching nearly every Sabbath, an active member of missionary boards and councils, full of zeal and gifts. 1 )r. Webb was married in Augusta, Maine, in 1852, to Elizabeth Temple, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Tappan. D. D., and Eliza- beth Bowdoin Temple (Winthrop) Tappan. Of this union were three children : Anna Winthrop, Elizabeth Temple, and Mary Bowdoin. WEBBER, Wallace Gleason, son of Marcus B. and Elizabeth F. Gleason Web- ber, was born in Bedford, Middlesex county, August 13, 1856. His early education was received in the public schools of his native town, and in a commercial college in Boston. In 1874 he entered the Blackstone National Bank of Boston, as messenger. His promotion through the various positions to that of assistant teller was rapid. In the fall of 1880 he left the bank to enarasre in business for himself under the WALLACE G. WE8BER. firm name of Paine, Webber & Co., banking and brokerage — first located at 48 Con- gress Street, then at 53 Devonshire Street, lastly at 52 Devonshire Street, where they still remain. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Webber was elected a member of the governing com- mittee of the Boston Stock Exchange As- sociation, being at the time the youngest man upon the committee. Mr. Webber was married in 1882, to Mary A., daughter of William A. and Mary A. Smith Putnam, of Bedford. Of this union are three children : Carrie P., Paul B., and Marcus B. Webber.