William Webster was born in Ralls County, Mo. June 18, 1828 to Elizure and Jane (Foreman) Webster. In 1846 he moved to Stone County  where he resided until his death in January, 1897. In February, 1849, he married Elizabeth J. Reed of Jackson County, Mo.

Prior to his marriage, William spent a year on the plains and after his marriage, he hired out as a train boss over the plains and followed this for some years.

He and  wife settled on the James River within a mile of where Cape Fair is located where he farmed from 1858 to 1892. At that date, he moved to Cape Fair and bought 40 acres on the edge of town.  Farming had been his life's work , but in connection with it he followed other enterprises, saw milling, smithing, etc. He eventually owned about 600 acres of productive land.

He served in the Seventh Provisional Calvary under Capt. Smith  and took part in Price's raid at Big and Little Blue River.  He was discharged in 1865 and returned home to find his holdings in ruins. In 1873-1874, he was sheriff and collector of Stone County.

William and Elizabeth had ten children, Millie P., Malinda, William D (Buck), Elizabeth (Sarah), Larue, Amanda, Eliza, Mathers, Margret, and Vina.

William and Elizabeth are buried in the Cape Fair Cemetery.

Of historical interest is the fact that in November, 1892, William and Elizabeth Webster, Silas and Malinda Carr conveyed the title to all the streets and alleys of Cape Fair to the town of Cape Fair. The conveyance was acknowledged by Judge J.A. Melton.