Edward A. Foster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward A. Foster
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c. 1900
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| Born | August 10, 1830 |
| Died | December 21, 1902 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Local public schools |
| Occupation | businessman, lumberman |
| Known for | lumber baron |
| Title | Manufacturer |
| Spouse(s) | Laura Helen |
| Children | 6 |
Edward Augustus Foster (also known as Edward A. Foster) was an important businessman in the 1800s. He was known as a "lumber baron" because he helped build many successful lumber companies. He played a big part in developing the lumber industry in the United States.
Early Life and Work
Edward was born in Machias, Maine, on August 10, 1830. His parents were Edward and Fannie Foster. Instead of going to a regular school, Edward spent most of his childhood helping his father. He worked in his father's sawmills, which are places where logs are cut into lumber. Edward lived with his parents until he was twenty years old.
Journey to the West
In 1850, Edward traveled to Boston. From there, he got a job on a ship heading to Puget Sound, Washington. The ship was carrying special machinery for a sawmill. This equipment was bought by a lumber company called Pope & Talbot.
The journey took six months. When they arrived at Port Gamble, Washington, Edward helped unload the machinery. He also helped set up the sawmill. This new sawmill was the very first one on the Pacific coast of the United States.
Building Lumber Businesses
Edward left Pope & Talbot in 1853. He then traveled back east to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Around 1855, he started a lumber business with his brother, Luther. They ran this business until 1857.
After that, they moved to Stiles, Wisconsin, near Green Bay. There, they worked as foremen for seven years. A foreman is a supervisor who manages workers in a factory or on a construction site. They worked for companies like Holt & Balcom and the Holt Lumber Company.
In 1865, Edward and Luther crossed Lake Michigan. They went to Muskegon, Michigan, where they worked for about a year. Then, they moved north to a small village called Pere Marquette. This village later became the town of Ludington, Michigan.
Edward and his brother became partners in the Pere Marquette Lumber Company in 1866. Other important people like James Ludington were also partners. Edward sold his share of this company in 1872. He then started a new company called Foster & Stanchfield.
He sold his part of that company in 1876. In 1877, he began another new company, E.A. Foster & Company, which made shingles. Shingles are thin pieces of wood used for roofing. Edward took a break from work in 1881 because he wasn't feeling well.
In 1883, he bought into a lumber company in Chicago called A.R. Gray & Company. He worked there with his son, Harry, until 1884.
Edward and Harry then bought the McDonald Lumber Company in Wausau, Wisconsin, in 1885. They sold it in 1886. After that, Edward formed the Merrill Lumber Company. This company took over a large sawmill and a big area of white pine trees in Merrill, Wisconsin. They started producing a lot of lumber.
By 1888, Edward was the president of the Merrill Lumber Company. He also managed the Merrill Boom Company. Edward was also one of the first partners and managers of the Red Cliff Lumber Company. This company made lumber in Red Cliff, Wisconsin.
Family Life
Edward married Laura Helen in 1856. She was a friend from his childhood. They had six children together. Laura passed away in 1898. Edward died on December 21, 1902. At the time of his death, he still owned parts of several lumber and investment companies.
