James Alexander Foster
JAMES ALEXANDER FOSTER, business man of Parkers Landing, Armstrong county, was born in Indiana county, Pa., Nov. 23, 1856, son of Evan C. and Elizabeth (Kephart) Foster. His grandfather was born in England, and came to the United States with his wife and children, locating in Williamsport, Pa., where he died.
Evan C. Foster, father of James A. Foster, was born in England, and was young when his parents came to America. He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and became a lumber contractor. While looking after his business interests in Clearfield county, Pa., he was suddenly attacked with a fatal illness, in the latter part of 1857. He married Elizabeth Kephart who was of German Ancestry.
James Alexander Foster attended the public schools of Saltsburg, Pa., until he was twelve years of age, and then started out for himself, the death of his father having placed responsibilities on him unusually early. For eighteen months he drove a team in a lumber camp on the Susquehanna river, and afterward secured employment in the chemical works at Natrona, Allegheny Co., Pa., where he remained until 1880. Meantime he made some study of Chemistry and took a course of instruction at Duff�s business college, Pittsburgh, and in addition utilized his spare moments learning telegraphy and the railroad business. Later he completed a course in architecture. In 1882 he located in Chicora, Butler Co., Pa., and in 1890 came to Parkers Landing. From 1885-1904 he was associated with the Standard Oil Company in some capacity. Since 1910 Mr. Foster has been connected with the Weisfield Manufacturing Company and Chemical Company, and is manager of their extensive business and one of the stockholders in the same.
In June, 1883, Mr. Foster was married to Christine S. Fredrick, daughter of Bernard Fredrick, of Chicora, Pa., and they have three children: Arthur W. who is deceased; Vida I., who is the wife of S.A. Sherman, of Youngstown, Ohio, and Kathleen E. Mr. Foster and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican, and he is clerk of the city council, having been a member of this body, representing the Second ward, for five years. He is secretary of the Board of Trade, and for five years was a member of the school board and its secretary. His public activities have always been useful and honorable. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
Source: Page 901, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed November 1998 by Nanci Michalkiewicz for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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