William C. Webb was born in the county where he now lives in 1840, the only living child of a family of seven children of John L. and Polly K (McAnally) Webb. The father was born in North Carolina in May, 1811, and with his parents, John and Elizabeth Webb, came to Tennessee about 1820. Here he married and farmed. He was sheriff of the county a number of years, and died in January, 1884. The mother died about 1874. William C. Webb attended the commercial college in St. Louis, Mo., during the session of 1859-60, and from the latter date and until the breaking out of the war was engaged in the mercantile business. He enlisted in the Sixth Tennessee Federal Cavalry as a private, and served until the close of the war, and was discharged as captain of Company G, of his regiment. On his return home he was elected sheriff of Perry County, which position he resigned after two months' service, and resumed his former occupation of merchandising, following it in Decatur County twelve months. He then returned to Perry County, and in 1867 was appointed collector of revenues for the Sixth Congressional District, comprising twelve counties, and held the position two years. In 1873 he erected his fine merchant, grist, planing and saw-mill on the sources of Buffalo River, one mile from Linden, and is doing a good business. In 1860 he married Martha A. Dodson, of Perry County, and to their union twelve children were born, seven of whom are living. In 1883 Mr. Webb was appointed chancery court clerk of the county, and is filling the office faithfully and efficiently. He and family are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the K. of H. and F. & A. M. He is a Prohibitionist, casting the only vote in the county for St. John in 1884.