J. J. Webster

James Jefferson Webster Sr.
Born	Template:Birth date Patrick County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	May 24, 1965(1965-05-24) (aged 66)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, farmer, public official
Years active	1927–1965
Known for	Ownership of dairy and tobacco farm; operation of tobacco storage facilities; management of general merchandise store; partnership in automobile dealership; Rockingham County commissioner (1942–1952)

This article is about the American politician. For his grandson, the checkers competitor of the same name, see Jeff Webster (checkers player).

James Jefferson Webster Sr. (September 27, 1898 – May 24, 1965) was a prominent American entrepreneur, farmer, and public official. His business ventures included ownership of a dairy and tobacco farm, operation of tobacco storage facilities, management of a general merchandise store, and partnership in an automobile dealership located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, Webster held the office of Rockingham County commissioner between 1942 and 1952. During his tenure, he contributed to the advancement of North Carolina Highway 135, which was later named in his honor after his passing. Additionally, he supported the gubernatorial campaign of W. Kerr Scott.

Biography

Born on September 27, 1898, in Patrick County, Virginia, Webster was the son of James Thomas Webster and Lillie Holt Davis and one among six siblings. The family moved to Rockingham County, North Carolina, where it is believed his father worked on the construction of the Avalon Mill. Orphaned by age six, Webster spent his early years living with his brothers and various families. On December 24, 1923, he wed Nannie Hurt Strong in Martinsville, Virginia, and together they had five children: James Jefferson II, Nancy Lucille, Margaret Ann, Robert Penn, and John Ray.

In 1927, Webster acquired a wooden building situated at the crossroads of North Carolina Highway 135 and Settle Bridge Road in Rockingham County and established J.J. Webster's Store. This general store became a central meeting place for the Shiloh community. As proprietor, Webster supported local families facing financial difficulties by extending credit for purchases and deferring payment collection until after their tobacco crops were sold. Beyond retail, he was involved in tobacco and dairy farming and managed tobacco warehouses located in both Stoneville and Clarkton. On May 1, 1937, he partnered with George Amos Dillon, Robert Smith, and Clyde Smith to launch an Oldsmobile dealership named W.D.S. Motors in a metal garage facility in Madison. A new facility for W.D.S. Motors was inaugurated on October 5, 1940. In 1955, the original wooden structure housing J.J. Webster Store was relocated to make way for a new brick building.

On March 19, 1936, Webster appeared as a witness alongside J.S. Carter and J.S. Doyle at the execution in Raleigh of Jake Johnston—a Black man accused of assaulting an elderly white schoolteacher in Rockingham County during 1935.

Political career

James Jefferson Webster and his spouse, Nannie Hurt Strong, beside their automobile

On November 3, 1942, Webster was elected to the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners as a Democratic Party representative, securing 241 votes from Madison. During the late 1940s, he contributed to W. Kerr Scott’s victorious campaign for governor. Following Scott’s approval of a significant road construction initiative by the state legislature, Webster leveraged his role as county commissioner to facilitate the paving of N.C. Highway 135 and Settle Bridge Road. He served on the Board of Commissioners until 1952.

Death

Webster experienced a heart attack and passed away on May 24, 1965. He was laid to rest at Centenary United Methodist Church in Stoneville, where he had been an active member.

Legacy

J.J. Webster Highway road sign

Following Webster’s death, his family continued operating J.J. Webster's Store. After the passing of his son, James Jefferson Webster II, the business was managed by his widow, Mary Comer Webster, until its inventory was sold to a close family friend in 1978. The brick building housing the store ceased operations on December 31, 1994, and was subsequently demolished to accommodate the expansion of N.C. Highway 135.

Bill Crewes, Stoneville’s mayor and a mentee of Webster during his own mayoral campaign, suggested dedicating N.C. Highway 135 in Webster’s honor. In May 1995, with unanimous support from Rockingham County municipalities, the county commissioners passed a resolution officially naming N.C. Highway 135 after Webster. Subsequently, on July 7, 1995, acting on Douglas Galyon’s recommendation, the North Carolina Board of Transportation adopted a resolution to rename the highway. The dedication ceremony took place at Dalton L. McMichael High School at 11:00 a.m. on October 28, 1998.