Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Foster, John H. February 11, 1842 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 7, 2009, 6:42 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JOHN H. FOSTER, mason and builder, and dealer in masons' supplies, Big Rapids, 
was born Feb. 11, 1842, at 

Franklin, Me.  He is a son of Joseph W. and Harriet (Scammons) Foster, and 
after he had attained the age 

of 17, spent four years in learning his trade under the supervision of William 
D. Moore, in Franklin.  

October 15, 1861, he enlisted in Co. M, First Maine Cavalry, Capt., P.M. 
Brown, and was in the service 

nine months, during which time he was in one of the heaviest engagements of 
the war - that of the 

Shenandoah Valley - during the retreat of Gen. Banks.  He was discharged at 
Williamsport, Md., and 

returned to his engagement with Mr. Moore.  A year afterward he went to 
Calais, Me., spent a year there in 

pursuit of his trade, and worked a year successively at Richmond, Va., and 
Portland, Me.  He went from the 

latter place to New York City and vicinity, and there and at the Jersey City 
he constructed a number of 

fine residences.

In 1870 he settled at Big Rapids, where he has since carried on his business, 
and engaged in lumberig on 

tracts of pine land which he purchased, and put the timber on the market, and 
operated to a considerable 

extent as a contractor, employing 50 men in the busy seasons.  Among the 
buildings of his erections at Big 

Rapids, are the Baptist Church, the Water Works, Northern Hotel Block, two 
Telfer blocks, Collins block, 

the Union School house, Wilcox Hardware store, etc., etc.  He belongs to the 
Masonic Order, has been 

Alderman five successive years, Superintendent of the City Water Works, and 
Street Commissioner two years, 

and is now a member of the School Board.

Mr. Foster was married at Haverstraw, N.Y., Aug. 13, 1868, to Georgiana, 
daughter of Thomas and Mary 

Dykins, a native of Haverstraw, N.Y.  Four children have been born to them - 
Percy J., Howard W., Charles 

and Bertie (deceased).

Additional Comments:
8813 Portrait & Bio Alumbum of Mecosta Co., MI.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/foster453nbs.txt

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