Webster Wagner
Encyclopedia
Webster Wagner was a postmaster, state official and inventor. He was born near Palatine Bridge, New York
and worked as a wagon maker alongside of other family members.
After serving as an employee for the New York Central Railroad
, Wagner invented the sleeping car and luxurious parlor car. He also perfected a system of ventilating railroad cars. His inventions were first used on the NY Central and later spread to other lines.
He founded the Wagner Palace Car Company, located in Buffalo, New York
. Several legal battles with the Pullman Company
failed to put him and his partners out of business.
He also served in the New York Assembly and New York State Senate
.
He was married to the former Susan Davis and had a family of five children.
He died in a rail accident on Friday January 13, 1882, while riding in one of his sleeping cars, in the Bronx, New York.
The Webster Wagner House
at Palatine Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973.
Palatine Bridge, New York
Palatine Bridge is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 706 at the 2000 census. The basis of the name is the community's location in a region settled by Palatinate Germans....
and worked as a wagon maker alongside of other family members.
After serving as an employee for the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
, Wagner invented the sleeping car and luxurious parlor car. He also perfected a system of ventilating railroad cars. His inventions were first used on the NY Central and later spread to other lines.
He founded the Wagner Palace Car Company, located in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. Several legal battles with the Pullman Company
Pullman Company
The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s...
failed to put him and his partners out of business.
He also served in the New York Assembly and New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
.
He was married to the former Susan Davis and had a family of five children.
He died in a rail accident on Friday January 13, 1882, while riding in one of his sleeping cars, in the Bronx, New York.
The Webster Wagner House
Webster Wagner House
Webster Wagner House is a historic home located at Palatine Bridge in Montgomery County, New York. It was built in 1876 and designed by noted architect Horatio Nelson White as the home for railroad car magnate Webster Wagner . It consists of a -story main block with a 2-story rear service wing...
at Palatine Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973.