Ohio Governor, Presidential Cabinet Secretary, U.S. Congressman. Born in Tiffin, Ohio, he attended the common schools and became engaged in his father's dry goods business. He helped to recruit volunteers to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War while running his family's store. Elected as a Republican to represent Ohio's 9th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1871 to 1879. Reelected three times, he participated in Treasury Department Reforms and opposed Radical Reconstruction. Foster was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1878 and 1890. He was elected as Ohio's 35th Governor in 1879 and also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1880. As Governor, he served from 1880 to 1884 and supported the temperance movement favoring higher liquor taxes. He was unsuccessful as a candidate for reelection in 1883. Foster was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison to the Presidential Cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury on February 25, 1891 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Windom. He served in that capacity until the end of the President's term in 1893. He returned to Ohio and engaged in several business pursuits including banking, mining, oil, railroads, and rubber. He died in Springfield, Ohio in 1904 when he was 75 years old. Fostoria, Ohio is named for his family.
Ohio Governor, Presidential Cabinet Secretary, U.S. Congressman. Born in Tiffin, Ohio, he attended the common schools and became engaged in his father's dry goods business. He helped to recruit volunteers to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War while running his family's store. Elected as a Republican to represent Ohio's 9th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1871 to 1879. Reelected three times, he participated in Treasury Department Reforms and opposed Radical Reconstruction. Foster was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1878 and 1890. He was elected as Ohio's 35th Governor in 1879 and also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1880. As Governor, he served from 1880 to 1884 and supported the temperance movement favoring higher liquor taxes. He was unsuccessful as a candidate for reelection in 1883. Foster was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison to the Presidential Cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury on February 25, 1891 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Windom. He served in that capacity until the end of the President's term in 1893. He returned to Ohio and engaged in several business pursuits including banking, mining, oil, railroads, and rubber. He died in Springfield, Ohio in 1904 when he was 75 years old. Fostoria, Ohio is named for his family.
Bio by: K Guy
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Foster memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
