From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library
Webb City Area Genealogical Society
On May 11, 2025, the former home of early Webb City settler, Elizabeth Jane Webb, was damaged by fire. The house, located at 302 S. Pennsylvania St., was purchased by Evan Slaughter and demolished in October.
Before the demolition, volunteers from Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc., obtained salvage rights to the house and removed woodwork, doors, transoms, hardware, windows and more, with the intention to sell or donate the items so they can be repurposed into area historical homes and buildings.
The group offered the etched glass transom that was mounted over the entry door that faced Third Street to the Webb City Area Genealogical Society. The transom was presented to the society at their Tuesday, Nov. 4, evening meeting at the Webb City Public Library. It is believed the initials of Jane’s second husband, Daniel J. Stewart, are etched into the glass.
Elizabeth Jane “Eliza” Webb was born on June 27, 1829, in Overton County, Tenn. She was the daughter of James Crittenden and Clarissa (Curtis) Webb. In 1853, Jane married Benjamin Webb in Jasper County, Mo. Benjamin was the brother of Webb City founder, John C. Webb. Benjamin died in 1880 at Webb City. In 1891, Jane married Daniel J. Stewart. They constructed their home at 302 S. Pennsylvania St. about 1893. Daniel Stewart died in 1895. Jane married Charles Raleigh Chinn in 1897. She died Dec. 31, 1913. This is her obituary that ran in the Joplin Daily Globe.
Mrs. Eliza Jane Chinn, founder of Jane Chinn Hospital, a pioneer resident of Webb City, died at the family home at Third street and Pennsylvania avenue at 3 o’clock yesterday morning. Death was from stomach trouble after an illness of eighteen months. Mrs. Jane Chinn was one of the wealthiest women of Jasper County and a prominent member of the Central Methodist Church South. Several years ago she spent $40,000 in establishing Jane Chinn Hospital, which was a gift to Webb City, with an endowment of $60,000. She was the largest contributor to the Central Methodist church building fund of $110,000. The Methodist Church of Prosperity was built and furnished by her at a cost of $3,000.
During her early life she obtained a number of acres of land near Prosperity. It proved to be rich with ore. On it now is the Eleventh Hour Mine, which in years past was one of the largest producers in the district. Mrs. Chinn was born in Tennessee, June 27, 1829. She moved to Jasper County with her parents in 1845, settling on Turkey Creek, southeast of Webb City. When she was 19 years old she married Benjamin C. Webb, brother of J. C. Webb. Shortly before the Civil War they moved to Texas, where they resided until 1866, when they moved to Webb City. In 1869, Mr. Webb died and five years later his widow married Daniel F. Stewart, deceased. Sixteen years ago she was married to Charles R. Chinn, Sr.
The surviving relatives are a husband, C.R. Chinn, Sr.; foster daughter, Mrs. R. M. Gale; two brothers, Thomas Webb of Texas and John Webb of Newton County, and the following nieces and nephews: Mrs. S. Nilson and Ben C. Aylor of Webb City, Mrs. J. L. Walker of Duenweg, Lee Webb and Eliza Webb of Saginaw, Clara Gage of Newton County, Eli Glasscock of Jasper County, Mrs. Victoria Buzan of Neosho and a step-grandson, C.R. Chinn, Jr.
Funeral services will be at 2 o’clock this afternoon in the Central Methodist Church. The Rev. Dr. C. C. Wood of St. Louis will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Joplin Daily Globe, January 1, 1914
The Historic Murphysburg Residential District is located in Joplin and is on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information about Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. please visit their website at https://murphysburg.org.