Foster, J. E.

J. E. Foster, general manager of The E. A. Bream Company, Inc., of Butler, Pa., is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born August 23, 1872, at Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, the son of George Hays and Cordelia (Fair) Foster.

George Hays Foster was born August 11, 1838, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. He began life as a farmer and during the Civil War enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Company B, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in 1861 and served three years as a noncommissioned sergeant. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. After the war he returned to Armstrong County, where he engaged in farming until 1890, when he was elected county treasurer and served three years, after which he retired from active business. He died October 20, 1922. His wife, also a native of Armstrong County, born in 1842, died October 5, 1922, and both she and Mr. Foster are buried at Cowansville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Foster was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and served as county appraiser and court viewer. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as its first commander. This Grand Army post was named after John Foster, a brother of George Hays Foster, who died in Andersonville prison. Mr. and Mrs. Foster were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. To them were born eight children : C. R., Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania; Lillian, the widow of Thomas L. Rodgers, resides at Kittanning; Dr. Ira C., a physician at Steubenville, Ohio; J. E., the subject of this sketch ; Ida L., a trained nurse, resides at Wildwood, Pennsylvania ; Albert H., in the oil business, resides at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, R. R. No. 3; Jennie, married Henry Wibel, an agriculturist, lives near Kittanning; Nita, married H. D. McCullough, a contractor, Elfenwild, Pennsylvania; Ross R., died March 4, 1891, and is buried at Cowansville; Pennsylvania.

J. E. Foster received his education in the public schools and was graduated from Kittanning High School, and from Iron City Business College. After leaving school he was bookkeeper for his father in the county treasurer's office. For two years he conducted a grocery store at Kittanning. He sold this store and went to the Milltown Oil Fields in Allegheny County, where he was employed as a pumper. He followed the field work until the organization of the Parker & Edwards Oil Company, when he became general field manager. He continued with this firm until it was merged with the present company, at which time he was made general manager of The E. A. Bream Company. This company operates through Beaver, Allegheny, Clarion, Butler, Mercer and Lawrence counties.

On April 24, 1901, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Elizabeth McKee. She died on January 13, 1905, and is buried in Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. To them was born a daughter, Lillian E., a graduate of Butler High School, now a student at Oberlin College, where she is specializing in kindergarten and music. Mr. Foster married, second, on February 3, 1910, Miss Rosalla M. Moon, a daughter of Joseph M. and Susan E. (Fleming) Moon. Mr. Moon, deceased, was born in Allegheny County and was a farmer and oil producer. His widow, a native of Venango County, resides at Wild-wood, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Foster is a Republican and a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Victory Lodge No. 694, F. and A. M. ; New Castle Consistory, thirty-second degree ; United Commercial Travelers, No. 465, past senior councellor ; and has served as delegate to the grand council held at various places in Pennsylvania ; past chancellor and commander, Knights of Pythias ; and Knights of Krassen, D. O. O. K. Mr. Foster stands high in his community and ranks among the substantial citizens of the county.