Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Foster, Thomas Dove 1847 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 29, 2013, 1:16 am Source: See Below Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher THOMAS DOVE FOSTER. Thomas Dove Foster, chairman of John Morrell & Company, Limited, has been prominently identified with the business interests of that well known British packing company since August, 1865. He is today one of its best known and most important representatives on this side the Atlantic. Fie makes his home in Ottumwa and from this point controls important business interests. He was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, England, November 25, 1847, a son of William and Mary (Morrell) Foster. His education was acquired in public and private schools of England and Ireland, but he did not graduate. However, the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Lennox College of Hopkinton, Iowa, in 1906. His initial step in the business world was made in connection with the pork-packing business and general merchandising at Castlecomer, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, under his father, and he was employed by the firm of John Morrell & Company of Liverpool, England, in August, 1865. After three years spent in the firm's employ at Liverpool he was transferred by the company to the New York branch in July, 1868, and, advancing steadily from one position to another of greater importance and responsibility, he came, in April, 1872, to the position of general manager of the firm's business in the United States and Canada. In May, 1893, he was further advanced, becoming chairman of John Morrell & Company, Limited, which position he now holds, and in this connection is directing the policies and interests of the business on this side the Atlantic, bending his efforts to adminstrative direction and executive control. Mr. Foster has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Eliza M. Thompson, daughter of William S. Thompson, the wedding being celebrated at Brooklyn, New York, on the 3d of October, 1872. Following her death, which took place in 1879, he married, on the 19th of August, 1885, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Miss Eliza J. McClelland, a daughter of George McClelland. His children are: William H. T., who married Jeanette Pattison; T. Henry, who wedded Mary Bulger; Ann L. A., the wife of Rev. D. A. Murray, D. D.; Ellen M.; George McClelland, who wedded Mary Slutts; Edith M., the wife of Rev. H. S. Huntington, Jr.; Florence D.; and John M. Mr. Foster is a member of the East End Presbyterian church, to the support of which he contributes generously, and in its work is actively interested. He is at present president of the board of trustees of Parsons College, Fairfield, Iowa. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he has held no political offices. He served, however, as a member of the Iowa state board of education from July 1, 1909, until June 30, 1911. He belongs to the Union League Club of Chicago and is widely known in business circles in various sections of the country. Association through business or otherwise has brought him many friends wherever he is known. His record is creditable and commendable, for through successive stages of promotion he has advanced to a prominent position in the business world. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb