He was born in the District of Columbia on February 14, 1851, the son of George M. Oyster and Rosa A. Oyster. He was educated in the public schools of the district and attended Rittenhouse Academy. After completing school, he worked at a downtown furniture store for four years. In 1870, he joined his father and brother, George M. Oyster Jr. in the butter and egg business. After his father retired, his brother established a dairy and he became the sole owner of the butter and egg business. In 1886, he married Emma Detweiler, daughter of Frederick M. Detweiler. He was known as Captain Jim for his service as a captain in the National Rifles, a military organization that existed in Washington before 1900 and participated in the competitive and exhibition drills of the organization. For over 50 years he was active in business and civic affairs of the District. Beginning in 1906, he served as President of the Board of Education for five years. He was a member of the Business Men’s Association, which later merged with the Jobbers’ and Shippers’ Association to form the Chamber of Commerce. He was President of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade. In 1914, he was appointed a member of the Federal Reserve Board for the Fifth District, headquartered at Richmond, Virginia. He served for seven years until he resigned in 1921 when he was named District Commissioner. In 1919 and 1920, he served as a member and Chairman of the Rent Commission. In March 1921, President Harding appointed him to the Board of District Commissioner and he supervised the police, fire, health and playgrounds departments and the office of weights and measures. At the expiration of his three year term in March 1925, President Coolidge reappointed him. In addition to his butter and egg business, he was an officer of the Charles Schneider Baking Company. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Almas Temple. He was a member of Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14. F.A.A.M.; Lafayette Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M. and Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Columbia Golf Club and the Association of Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia He died at his apartment at 2400 Sixteenth Street at the age of 74 years on Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
Source: The Evening Star, Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
Source: The Evening Star, Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
He was born in the District of Columbia on February 14, 1851, the son of George M. Oyster and Rosa A. Oyster. He was educated in the public schools of the district and attended Rittenhouse Academy. After completing school, he worked at a downtown furniture store for four years. In 1870, he joined his father and brother, George M. Oyster Jr. in the butter and egg business. After his father retired, his brother established a dairy and he became the sole owner of the butter and egg business. In 1886, he married Emma Detweiler, daughter of Frederick M. Detweiler. He was known as Captain Jim for his service as a captain in the National Rifles, a military organization that existed in Washington before 1900 and participated in the competitive and exhibition drills of the organization. For over 50 years he was active in business and civic affairs of the District. Beginning in 1906, he served as President of the Board of Education for five years. He was a member of the Business Men’s Association, which later merged with the Jobbers’ and Shippers’ Association to form the Chamber of Commerce. He was President of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade. In 1914, he was appointed a member of the Federal Reserve Board for the Fifth District, headquartered at Richmond, Virginia. He served for seven years until he resigned in 1921 when he was named District Commissioner. In 1919 and 1920, he served as a member and Chairman of the Rent Commission. In March 1921, President Harding appointed him to the Board of District Commissioner and he supervised the police, fire, health and playgrounds departments and the office of weights and measures. At the expiration of his three year term in March 1925, President Coolidge reappointed him. In addition to his butter and egg business, he was an officer of the Charles Schneider Baking Company. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Almas Temple. He was a member of Washington Centennial Lodge, No. 14. F.A.A.M.; Lafayette Chapter, No. 5, R.A.M. and Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Columbia Golf Club and the Association of Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia He died at his apartment at 2400 Sixteenth Street at the age of 74 years on Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
Source: The Evening Star, Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
Source: The Evening Star, Tuesday, May 19, 1925.
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