James Lewis Pullman (1800-1853)

He was born in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was a carpenter by trade but gained a reputation for his method of being able to move entire buildings onto new foundations. In 1841, he patented the machine that he'd invented to do this and when the Erie Canal was being built four years (1845) later he was called upon to clear a path for its progress. Having moved to Albion, New York, to carry out the commission, he died just eight years later. His business was then continued by his son who would make "Pullman" a household name with his specific invention of the railroad sleeping car.