Summary
Henry Donnel Foster (December 19, 1808 – October 16, 1880) was an American lawyer and politician who served three terms as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1843 to 1847, and from 1871 to 1873.
Henry D. Foster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania | |
| In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 | |
| Preceded by | John Covode |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Wilson Taylor |
| Constituency | 21st district |
| In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | Albert Gallatin Marchand |
| Succeeded by | Job Mann |
| Constituency | 19th district |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Fayette and Westmoreland counties | |
| In office 1857–1858 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henry Donnel Foster December 19, 1808 Mercer, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1880 (aged 71) Irwin, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. Clair Cemetery Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relatives | John Cabell Breckinridge (cousin) |
| Alma mater | College of Meadville |
| Occupation |
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Early life edit
Henry Donnel Foster was born on December 19, 1808, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, to Samuel Foster. His mother's maiden name was Donnell. His father was a lawyer. Foster pursued classical studies and graduated from the College of Meadville. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1829.[1][2][3]
Career edit
After graduating, Foster commenced practice in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.[1] He worked as a solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad.[3]
Congress edit
Foster was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses.[1]
Later political career edit
He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, representing Fayette and Westmoreland counties, in 1857 and 1858.[1][2]
He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to Congress in 1858. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1860. He unsuccessfully contested the election of John Covode to the Forty-first Congress.
Return to Congress edit
Foster was again elected to the Forty-second Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1872.[1]
Later career edit
Foster resumed the practice of law in Greensburg until 1880.[1][2]
Personal life edit
Foster had at least two children, Emily[3][4] and Lizzie.[5]
He was the cousin of John Cabell Breckinridge.[1]
Death and burial edit
In 1879, Foster moved to Irwin, Pennsylvania. He died on October 16, 1880, in Irwin. He was interred at St. Clair Cemetery in Greensburg.[1][2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Foster, Henry Donnel". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ a b c d "Henry D. Foster". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ a b c "Death of Hon. Henry D. Foster". The Messenger. 1880-10-20. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Happer". The Washington Post. 1914-03-08. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Col. J. A. Long..." The Raftsman's Journal. 1866-11-07. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.
External links edit
- United States Congress. "Henry Donnel Foster (id: F000305)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard