FOSTER, John
Farmer, merchant. B.
1792 ‘Armistead Hall’ Yorkshire, England; son of John, farmer, and Jane, nee
Dowbiggin; married 18 April 1863 Hobart, Mrs. Anne Riddiford; 4 sons 2
daughters; brother of W. Foster MLC (NSW), grandfather of F. H. Foster MHA Died 27 June 1875 Hobart
Educated at Heath School, Halifax & Kemplay’s Academy,
Leeds; arrived Tasmania 1823, granted land near Ross, became ‘Fosterville’,
later granted 12,000 acres at Cape Portland, owned or controlled 8 properties
Gippsland, Victoria; owned, operated several ships; exported grain to
Mauritius, imported British goods; held Government contract for meat supply;
built, owned hotel Port Albert, Victoria.
Director Mersey & Deloraine Railway Co., Douglas R. Coal Co., Hobart
Town Gas Co., Launceston Marine Insurance Co.; HSB general committee
1852-75; also associated with various Victoria businesses. PM Sorell and Prosser R. districts, JP 1836. Co-founder, Tasmania Club (Hobart).
MLC Huon July 1868 – July 1874; contested Hobart June 1866
Source: Bennett
& Bennett, Biographical Register of Tasmanian Politicians 1851 – 1960, (page
60)