William Seward Webb

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Dr. W. Seward Webb (January 31, 1851-October 29, 1926) was a son of Gen. James Watson Webb (1802-1884). He studied medicine in Vienna, Paris and Berlin. Returning to America, he entered the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated from there in 1875. For several years he practiced medicine, and then forsook the profession for finance.

He established the Wall Street firm of W. S. Webb & Co. In 1883, he married Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt, daughter of William H. Vanderbilt. In 1883 Webster Wagner, the president of the Wagner Palace Car Company, was crushed between two of his own railroad cars. Vanderbilt owned a controlling interest in the company, and asked his new son-in-law to take over the firm. William Seward invited his brother H. Walter Webb to join him, which started them both on careers in the railroad business. The Wagner Palace Car Company was subsequently merged with the Pullman Company. Dr. Webb later became President of the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, Raquette Lake Transportation Company. He was the builder and President of the Mohawk and Malone Railway.

The Webb property at Shelburne, Vermont on Lake Champlain is now known as Shelburne Farms, a National Historic Landmark, and one of the main concert sites of the Vermont Mozart Festival. Another magnificent country estate developed by Dr. Webb was a game preserve in the Adirondacks that he formed from a tract of 200,000 acres (800 km²). This was later donated to the Adirondack State Park. The town of Webb, New York in the park is named after him.

Dr. Webb served as Inspector General of the Vermont militia with the rank of Colonel. He served a term in the Vermont Legislature in the 1890's. He was a founder and former President of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The Webbs for thirty years lived at 680 Fifth Avenue, New York. This house, a wedding gift from William H. Vanderbilt to his daughter, was sold in 1913 to John D. Rockefeller. Dr. Webb was survived by his wife, Lila Vanderbilt Webb, three sons - J. Watson, Seward, and Vanderbilt - and one daughter, Frederica.