Webb, Henry

Henry Webb holds the distinction of being one of the longest serving aldermen ever to be elected to the Toowoomba City Council.

Excepting his position as Mayor in 1908 and 1915, he was alderman between 1897 and 1935, a total of 36 years. He earned the title of “Father of the City Council” because of his long period of service to the city.

Henry Gent Webb came to Toowoomba as an infant and lived most of his life in the city.

He was the son of Mr T C Webb, a Downs pioneer and builder who, in the early days of Toowoomba, built the old Toowoomba jail in Margaret Street.

Born in Dungog, New South Wales, he was educated at a private school. He left school at an early age (as was the custom in those days) and was apprenticed to the bakery trade at the age of 12, working in the bakery of Messrs Davis, Harnett and Burge.

At the age of 17, he established a bakery business in Ruthven Street with his brother Thomas. The brothers dissolved their partnership after a few years and Henry Webb started a general store and bakery in Ruthven Street opposite the present day Shamrock Hotel.

After a number of years he left the storekeeping business and engaged in stock dealing and grazing. He moved from his Wylie Street home to Middle Ridge and continued to handle stock until his retirement in 1909.

Although in retirement, he turned his attention to land and building. He built many cottages in Toowoomba for selling and renting purposes and at the time of this death was a large landholder in the city.

He was a great admirer of blood horses and owned several racehorses as well as showing an interest in polo when it flourished on the Downs.

Henry Webb died on October 16, 1936, aged 77. He was survived by his wife Catherine, two sons and a daughter.