K Webster Popular Books
K Webster Biography & Facts
Towner Keeney Webster (1849–1922) was an American industrialist and business leader who started several businesses, including Webster Manufacturing and Webster Electric. Early years Webster was born in Ithaca, New York. His father, Dr. Henry Keeney Webster (1800–1857), died when he was eight years old. His mother, Sarah Haviland (1811–1885), was left with little money and three children to raise. By age 12, Webster had a full-time job and never achieved more than a grade school education. When he turned 18, he traveled alone to Chicago and began work at a dry goods store. Within a year or two, his mother and two older sisters followed. All settled in Evanston, Illinois. Webster's first business, a drug and grocery store on Davis Street in Evanston, was a success. He sold his interest in the grocery to his partner, so he could start a clothing store. The clothing store failed. Shortly thereafter, in 1874, he married Emma Josephine Kitchell (1850–1937). Webster needed to find a new way to make a living. Webster Manufacturing Webster became intrigued with an invention called the "'Common-sense' elevator bucket." These buckets were easily manufactured, and when attached to a continuous belt could carry large amounts of grain to the tops of grain elevators. Because of developments like Cyrus McCormick's reaper, elevators were springing up all over the Midwest. In 1876, he began making common-sense buckets in a small shop on Kinzie Street in Chicago. His company grew quickly as he developed machinery for handling grain. He acquired partners and built his first factory in 1882. It doubled and then redoubled in size, and in 1889 Webster moved to a new plant on Western Avenue and Fifteenth Street. His partners dropped out, the firm became the Webster Manufacturing Company. In the early 1890s a group of investors, one of whom was Mark Twain, gave Webster Manufacturing the contract to make the Paige Compositor. The device, which set type, was a complicated mechanical marvel with 18,000 parts. Webster built a new five-story building at the Western Avenue plant to deliver 3000 compositors under the contract. Unfortunately, the compositor was expensive to manufacture and when it broke down only the inventor's chief engineer, Charles Davis, could fix it. The rival linotype machine soon came to dominate the typesetting market. What had seemed like a profitable business venture, cost Mark Twain a fortune and almost bankrupt Webster Manufacturing. Fewer than half-a-dozen machines were actually built. The sole remaining Paige compositor is housed at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1897, having returned to his core business, Webster built a two-million-bushel grain elevator on the newly opened Manchester Ship Canal in England. That project provided the inspiration for one of Henry Kitchell Webster's early novels. In 1907, Webster moved his firm to Tiffin, Ohio where it exists today as Webster Industries. To finance the move to Tiffin, Webster took on outside investors. Dissatisfied with company profits and Webster's management style, they assumed control of the company. Webster Electric During his tenure in Tiffin, Webster became interested in a new invention, the Milton magneto. The magneto could start gasoline engines without cranking. After refining the device into what he thought to be a workable ignition system, Webster signed a contract with the Cadillac Automobile company which intended to make it standard on their cars. But the magneto proved to be unreliable and the contract was canceled. Webster's son, Towner K. Webster Jr., was an engineer who eventually perfected the magneto as an ignition system for farm engines. In 1913, Webster Sr. opened a new company in Racine, Wisconsin named Webster Electric. The magneto was a profitable product, but it was gradually supplanted by other ignition systems. After Webster's death, the company struggled until the 1930s, when it introduced a popular intercom called the Teletalk. Then, in 1946, Webster Electric debuted the Ekotape recorder, and was for a time a pioneer in magnetic recording. The company was eventually sold to Sta-Rite Industries. Business and civic leadership In 1903, Webster helped found the City Club of Chicago, a social club whose object was “the investigation and improvement of the city of Chicago.” Webster served as the club's second president and was an occasional speaker. The City Club is today the longest-running civic forum in Chicago. As Webster Manufacturing grew, he became increasingly involved with labor unions. Unlike many manufacturers, however, Webster believed workers had a right to a decent living wage. While he opposed union attempts to limit output, he defended their right to organize. In a speech on open versus closed shops, he argued “I think the union stands as a great middle wall between the small manufacturer and the great overwhelming power of organized capital.” His straightforward solution to labor unions was to “grant a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.” As a result of his position, Webster enjoyed a level of trust with both management and labor. He served on numerous arbitration boards. In 1907, when the contract between the Chicago newspaper publishers and the Typographical Union expired, they were unable to come to terms. Webster was selected as the sole arbitrator and found a solution acceptable to both parties. As Walter A. Strong noted, "His decision at so critical a stage in the development of relations between capital and labor and in union practice attracted the attention of many industries in addition to newspapers." Personal life Webster and Emma Kitchell had six children who survived to adulthood: Henry Kitchell (1875), Henrietta Seymour (1877), Towner Keeney Jr. (1881), Josephine Haviland (1883), Ronald (1890), and Maurice (1892). All were raised in Evanston, Illinois. Henry became a well-known early twentieth century novelist. Maurice became a notable Chicago architect. In 1913, Josephine married Walter Strong, who would later become publisher of the Chicago Daily News. It was not uncommon for well-to-do Chicagoans to have summer homes. After starting Webster Electric, he bought farmland north of Oregon, Illinois. His declared intention was to create a place “to alienate the affections of his grandchildren from their parents.” In 1917, he commissioned Maurice, who had just been licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, to build a large wood frame summer house. A year later, he had Towner Jr. oversee construction of a swimming pool. The family named it Bee Tree Farm. His grandchild, Stokely Webster, would later describe it as a "magical place" that would shape his approach to art. In 1922, Webster was admitted to Evanston Hospital with acute appendicitis. He died there on October 11. Emma and the family continued to use Bee Tree Farm. In 1928, Walter Strong bought 360 acres of woodlands just south of the farm. There, he and Josephin.... Discover the K Webster popular books. Find the top 100 most popular K Webster books.
Best Seller K Webster Books of 2024
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Mistake
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a steamy contemporary romance standalone novel!My life has been full of mistakes.I left home at an early age to pu...
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Paused to Prolific
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster comes a quick guide to help you write faster, stay focused, and avoid burnout! With over eighty published titles (and cou...
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Rock Country
K. WebsterBobby and June were the best of friends as kids. For two years they spent every waking moment together. And just as they started realizing they had potential to be more, Bobby was ...
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Rock Bottom
K. WebsterDonnie Jennings has a lifestyle most men only dream ofa life full of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. In his eyes, there’s not much more he could ever want than banging drums and ban...
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Notice
K. WebsterI didn’t notice her before…but now I do.<br> The shiny strands of gold in her silky brown hair.<br> Tiny crinkles between her eyebrows when she frowns.<br> Her pa...
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Gawayne and the Green Knight - A Fairy Tale
Charlton Miner LewisThe legendary tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is one of the most famous folk tales in history, with Merlin the Wizard and the virtuous Sir Lancelot being kno...
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Enzo
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a new forbidden romance standalone novel! Jenna’s grown up in the system. Forced to be tough, wary, and hard. She’s only been a...
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Dr. Dan
K. WebsterA TOP 100 BESTSELLER From USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a taboo treat standalone novel! Lauren will do anything besides face reality. Her truth won’t...
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Cold Queen
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a dark, fantasy romance standalone novel!In a cold, empty castle, a young queen is dying.Weak. Fragile. Disgr...
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Untimely You
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a steamy contemporary romance standalone novel!I will forever punish myself for the past.The reminder of my f...
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Blue Hill Blood
K. Webster & Elizabeth GrayFrom USA Today Bestselling author K Webster writing as Elizabeth Gray, comes Blue Hill Blood, a psychological thriller... Henry My past is gruesome and unforgettable no matter how...
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He Made Me Stay
K. WebsterThe pain is overwhelming. My life means nothing anymore. Black. Lonely. A void. I have an expiration date and the final hour is here. Until a boy bounces into my dark world. Too s...
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This is Me, Baby
K. WebsterThis is the fifth book in the series. First four books must be read in order to fully understand this story line. The game was over and they stole the victory away from ME. Cheati...
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Feuds and Reckless Fury
K. WebsterFrom USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes an angsty and emotional enemiestolovers gay romance standalone! The hatred began when my father proposed to another man in a shoc...
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This is War, Baby
K. WebsterMy life had a plan. Until he invaded it and stole it all away. My captor took me and I became a pawn. His strategy changed and he sent me away to WAR, because money is everyth...
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You Are My Sunshine
Katie FlynnKay Duffield's fiancé is about to leave the country, and her own duty with the WAAF is imminent when she becomes a bride. The precious few days she spends with her new husband ...
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Scarred
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a steamy contemporary romance standalone novel!I have secretshorrible ones.A man from my past scarred me and broke...
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Whispers and the Roars
K. WebsterTHIS STANDALONE IS BEST ENJOYED WHEN YOU DON'T READ ANY REVIEWS OR SPOILERS BEFORE READING. GOING IN BLIND IS BEST. TRUST ME.<br> <br> From USA Today bestselling au...
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Apartment 2B
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a dark, gripping, and suspenseful new adult romance! All I ever wanted was to escape my cruel mother and the hellish life she co...
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A Little BAD BAD BAD
K. WebsterFrom USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a steamy, forbidden romance! She’s all grown up. My best friend’s daughter is now the ultimate temptation. Hot. Sultry. A cr...
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Broken
K. WebsterAndi has the perfect life. She is about to graduate with an Architecture degree and marry herAll American baseball starfiancé. When she catches him in bed with another ...
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Koyn
K. WebsterI had it all.Family. Career. A future.Until a couple of bikers took it brutally away from me.They scarred me both inside and out, killing the man I once was.Jared Koynakov is...
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The Fate of Their Country
Michael F. HoltHow partisan politics lead to the Civil War What brought about the Civil War? Leading historian Michael F. Holt convincingly offers a disturbingly contemporary answer: partisan po...
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The Glue
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes an MMF standalone novel! I’m a fixer. A lover. Always searching for the right fit. And I come up empty e...
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Lawn Boys
K. WebsterShe’s lived her life and it has been a good one. Marriage. College. A family. Slowly, though, life moved forward and left her at a standstill. Until the lawn boy barges into her w...
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Sweet Jayne
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling author K Webster comes a dark psychological thriller!A girl was taken.Nadia saw it all…But remembers nothing.One Colorado cop has been hunting for answer...
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A Merry Christmas with Judy
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a Classic Christmas romance standalone story! Baby Jesus is missing! Miss Holland is certain the su...
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Red Hot Winter
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a forbidden romance standalone novel! August is bitter and cold. Two people he loved most betrayed him. Winte...
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Coach Long
K. WebsterCoach Everett Long has a chip on his shoulder. Working every day with the man who stole his fiancée leaves him pissed and on edge. His temper is volatile and his attitude sucks. R...
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Dragon
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster comes a new motorcycle club dark standalone MM romance novel! They created this monster when they took me as a teen. Abused me, torture...
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Crushed
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a steamy, emotional contemporary romance standalone novella!We've been through a lot.Two broken people who found e...
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Easton
K. WebsterA man who made countless mistakes.<br> A woman with a messy past.<br> <br> He’s tasked with helping her find her way.<br> She’s lost in grief and selfdoubt....
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Wicked Lies Boys Tell
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling author K Webster comes an angstfilled, friendstoenemiestolovers MM romance! I'm in love with my best friend.Lie.I'm in love with my e...
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Dane
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes an MM standalone novel! I’m used to being in charge. In the courtroom. In life. In the bedroom. But then...
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Wrong
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a steamy contemporary romance standalone novel!I'm cold because I have to be.There's only enough warmth in me for ...
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Becoming Lady Thomas
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster comes a steamy enemiestolovers historical romance! Elisabeth Merriweather has one destiny. His name is William. The moment William re...
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Vas
K. WebsterFrom bestselling authors, Ker Dukey and K Webster, comes book one, VAS, a thrilling, dark mafia romance in The V Games trilogy! The Volkov name is one I longed for. Their househo...
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Rock Heart
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster comes a steamy, emotional rockstar romance!I'm the lead singer for the hottest band in the world.When I step on stage, our fans go insan...
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This is Love, Baby
K. WebsterTHIS IS BOOK TWO IN SERIES. PLEASE READ THIS IS WAR, BABY FIRST. My War was over and I had lost. My captor reminded me I was nothing more than his pawn. His strategy never changed...
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Copper
K. WebsterFrom USA Today Bestselling Author K Webster, comes a new MC dark standalone novel! I’m a Fed. Rigid. Rule follower. One of the good guys. I uphold the law…when it suits me. My loy...
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Crybaby
K. WebsterStubborn. Mouthy. Brazen. Two people with vicious tongues. A desperate temptation neither can ignore. An injury has changed her entire life. She’s crippled, hopeless, and angry. An...
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Dirty Ugly Toy
K. Webster<b>From USA Today bestselling author K Webster comes a thrilling and steamy dark romance standalone!</b> He’s filthy rich. Spoiled beyond belief. The gorgeous man alw...