Born in Everton, Lancashire, England, he was the son of John Webster, a labourer, and Elizabeth, née Poynton.

Leaving school at 13, Webster migrated to New South Wales in 1879 and, having quarried stone at Pyrmont and saved prodigiously, was able to bring the rest of his family to Sydney.

He married Jane Buckney on 7 June 1883 at Marrickville, and the firm he founded, Webster Bros, was one of the first in New South Wales to observe the standard wage and eight-hour day.

[1] His role in the royal commission on postal services was significant, and was in part responsible for the downfall of the Deakin government.

On 9 July 1909, as part of these pursuits, Webster delivered a renowned speech lasting 10 hours and 57 minutes, a record which, under new time limits, can never be broken.