Henry Donnel Foster

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry D. Foster
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
In office
March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Preceded byJohn Covode
Succeeded byAlexander Wilson Taylor
Constituency21st district
In office
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded byAlbert Gallatin Marchand
Succeeded byJob Mann
Constituency19th district
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Fayette and Westmoreland counties
In office
1857–1858
Personal details
Born
Henry Donnel Foster

(1808-12-19)December 19, 1808
Mercer, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedOctober 16, 1880(1880-10-16) (aged 71)
Irwin, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Clair Cemetery
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelativesJohn Cabell Breckinridge (cousin)
Alma materCollege of Meadville
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

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.

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]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Foster, Henry Donnel". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  2. ^ a b c d "Henry D. Foster". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  3. ^ a b c "Death of Hon. Henry D. Foster". The Messenger. 1880-10-20. p. 7. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ "Happer". The Washington Post. 1914-03-08. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ "Col. J. A. Long..." The Raftsman's Journal. 1866-11-07. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon

External links[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania
1860
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 19th congressional district

1843–1847
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 21st congressional district

1871–1873
Succeeded by