Born in New York State, Webster operated as a daguerreian in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Evansville, Ind.; Louisville, Ken.; and probably in Norwich, Conn. He reportedly taught the process to his brother, Israel B. Webster, and was first active in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., dates unknown, (his brother was active there 1848-1851). On researcher theorizes that I.B. Webster maintained a permanent gallery, while E.Z. Webster travelled and set up temporary galleries. E.Z. Webster may have lived in Pennsylvania in 1848; one of his children was born there, and it would have provided him the opportunity to daguerreotype General Johnston. He may have also lived in Norwich, Conn. in 1850; another of his children was born there, and it is known one of the brothers daguerreotyped the birthplace of Benedict Arnold.

Current research shows that the Webster brothers opened a daguerreian gallery in Evansville, Ind., over Mrs. Kollenberg's confectionary store on Main Street, in December, 1850. They advertised at that time they had been engaged "in the Daguerreotype business for the last five years, in the city of New York, and vicinity." (No record of their operation in New York City has ever been located). They had several daguerreotypes on display, including one of Jenny Lind, an image of General Taylor, one of General Johnston of Pennsylvania, and one of the birthplace of Benedict Arnold.

Edward L. Wilson, editor of the Philadelphia Photographer noted in 1873 that it was in E.Z. Webster's gallery (in Norwich) where "we imbibed our first love of photography, nearly twnety-five years ago...".

Evansville, Ind., was directly across the river from Louisville, Ken., and the brothers opened a gallery at 489 Main Street, Louisville, in 1851. The gallery was adjacent to the store of Hegan and Escott, a major dealer in daguerreian equipment and supplies. The Louisville gallery, over Stampin and Kiffin's store, was active until at least 1856. Current research leans toward the theory that E.Z. Webster maintained a permanent studio in Evansville in the 1851-1852 period, and may have lived there as well. In September and October, 1852, E.Z. Webster was listed in partnership as Webster and Miles in Evansville, at the corner of Main and First Streets. Sometime in 1852, his daughter was also born in Indiana. In November, 1852, daguerreian J.M. McCluer referred to his location as "formerly occupied by Webster's Gallery"; and F.J. Chapman in December, 1852, noted his location as "formerly occupied by Webster and Miles." In March, 1853, McDonald noted his location was "formerly occupied by Mr. Webster."

From November, 1856 to January, 1857, E.Z. Webster was partnered with W.W. Tileston in Evansville. The pair had a daguerreian gallery in Bray's Building opposite the offices of the Daily Enquirer. The firm offered Sphereotypes, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Callodiotypes (sic), and other forms of Heleographic (sic) pictures. In Louisville, in 1855-1856, neither brother was listed in the individual directory.

In 1858 they noted a new gallery over Hegan and Escott's store, where they operated through 1860. The pair apparently worked together as photographers in Louisville until approximately 1870, when E.Z. Webster returned to Norwich, Conn., and was active as a stereo photographer. Information corrected to July, 1998; © 1996, 1997 John S. Craig