Webb City in Jasper County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Colonel James O'Neill House

6 South Pennsylvania Street • Circa 1900

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

1. Colonel James O'Neill House Marker

Inscription. James O'Neill was born in New York on October 31, 1836. He showed talent at an early age and began working at the age of 12. At the age of 29, he invested his savings in land in the Pennsylvania oil region. The land turned out to be rich in petroleum. In 1879, he came to Jasper County to invest in land once again, but this time, he was investing in lead and zinc. Colonel James O'Neill arrived in Webb City three years after its founding. He is responsible for developing Webb City through waterworks, gas lines, and more. He built the Newland Hotel, which was the most influential in the area, and he was half owner of the Webb City Ice Plant. While he never held a military position, it is said that he acquired the title of Colonel by virtue of his popularity among the citizens of Webb City. He was known to be generous to those in need and well liked by children. Colonel O'Neill died November 23, 1907.

Erected 2024 by Graham McCaw • Webb City Area Genealogical Society • Webb City Library • Webb City.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is October 31, 1836.

Location. 37° 8.763′ N,

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94° 27.995′ W. Marker is in Webb City, Missouri, in Jasper County. It is at the intersection of West Broadway Street (U.S. 66) and South Pennsylvania Street, on the right when traveling east on West Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 S Pennsylvania St, Webb City MO 64870, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Patten House (within shouting distance of this marker); George Bruen House (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Thomas Webb House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Webb City Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Joseph Aylor House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jane Chinn

(Colonel) James O'Neill (1836-1907) image. Click for full size.

Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri:, Howard Louis Conard; via Google Books (Public Domain), circa 1901

2. (Colonel) James O'Neill (1836-1907)

The son of Irish immigrants, he operated boats on the Erie Canal and ran a hotel as a youth in New York. He didn't arrive in Webb City until 1889.

House (approx. ¼ mile away); Walter Ball House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Number 1 Gun (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Webb City.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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