Webster Wagner

Webster Wagner (October 2, 1817 – January 13, 1882) was an American inventor, manufacturer and politician from New York.

Webster Wagner
Wagner shortly before his death in 1882
Born	(1817-10-02)October 2, 1817 Palatine Bridge, New York, U.S.
Died	January 13, 1882(1882-01-13) (aged 64) Spuyten Duyvil, Bronx, New York
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Inventor, businessman, politician
Years active	1853-82
Known for	Inventing early railroad sleeper car

Life

Wagner was born near Palatine Bridge, New York. He developed a wagon-making business with his brother James. The business had folded by 1842, largely due to the Panic of 1837.^[1] 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; at the time of his death the two companies were completing a merger.

He was married to Susan Davis, and they had five children.

He was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly (Montgomery Co.) in 1871; and of the New York State Senate from 1872 until his death, sitting in the 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th, 100th, 101st, 102nd (all eight 15th D.), 103rd, 104th and 105th New York State Legislatures (all three 18th D.).

Wagner was killed in the 1882 Spuyten Duyvil train wreck while returning from Albany to New York City when two trains of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad collided in between the Kingsbridge and Spuyten Duyvil stations in The Bronx, two weeks into his sixth Senate term, on January 13, 1882. His body was found crushed between two of his company's cars.^[2]

Webster Wagner House at Palatine Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.^[3]

See also

• List of inventors killed by their own invention
• Rail Car Grand Isle: A preserved Wagner Palace car