George Pullman

George Mortimer Pullman (March 3, 1831 - October 19, 1897) was an American inventor and industrialist.

Related Topics:
March 3 - 1831 - October 19 - 1897

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Born in Brocton, New York, Pullman dropped out of school at age 14, and eventually became one of Chicago's most influential and controversial figures. He arrived in Chicago in 1855 and discovered that Chicago streets were frequently filled with mud deep enough to drown a horse. He suggested that the houses be raised and a new foundation built under them, a technique his father used to move homes during the widening of the Erie Canal. In 1857, with a couple of partners, Pullman proved his technique would work by raising an entire block of stores and office buildings.

Related Topics:
Brocton, New York - Chicago - 1855 - Erie Canal - 1857

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Between 1859 and 1863, he spent time as a gold broker near Golden, Colorado where he raised money and met a future business associate, Hanniball Kimball.

Related Topics:
1859 - 1863 - Golden, Colorado - Hanniball Kimball

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He used his money and success to develop a comfortable railroad sleeping car, the Pullman sleeper. The first one was finished in 1864. Although the sleeper cost more than five times the price of a regular railway car, by arranging to have the body of President Abraham Lincoln carried from Washington, D.C. to Springfield on a sleeper, he received national attention and the orders began to pour in.

Related Topics:
Sleeping car - 1864 - Abraham Lincoln - Washington, D.C.

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By 1865, he wanted to expand business into the reconstructing South and sent Kimball to act as his Southern agent.

Related Topics:
1865 - Reconstructing South

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Pullman built a new plant on the shores of Lake Calumet, several miles from Chicago. In an effort to make it easier for his employees, he also built a town with its own shopping areas, theaters, parks, hotel and library for his employees. (see Pullman, Chicago)

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When business fell off in 1894, Pullman cut jobs, wages and working hours. His failure to lower rents, utility charges and products led his workers to the Pullman Strike, which was eventually broken up by federal troops sent in by President Grover Cleveland.

Related Topics:
1894 - Pullman Strike - Grover Cleveland

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Loathing for Pullman remained, and when he died in 1897, he was buried in Graceland Cemetery inside a Pullman Sleeper, with steel rails criss-crossed on top of it. Several tons of cement were poured over the sleeper to ensure that his body would not be exhumed and desecrated. Celebrated journalist and author Ambrose Bierce observed sardonically, "It is clear the family in their bereavement was making sure the sonofabitch wasn't going to get up and come back."

Related Topics:
Graceland Cemetery - Ambrose Bierce

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His daughter Florence was married to Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden.

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Pullman's Palace Cars, marketed as "luxury for the middle class."

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