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| 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). |