1925 Biography - George W. Foster

George W. Foster. In connection with one of the specially important departments of the state government of Louisiana Mr. Foster holds the responsible office of chief state inspector of fertilizers and feed, with executive headquarters in the capital city, Baton Rouge.

Mr. Foster was born at Algiers, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, on the 20th of February, 1866, and is a son of James and Ann (Murphy) Foster, both natives of Ireland, where the former was born in County Roscommon in the year 1829, and the latter in County Tyrone in 1830, both having passed the closing years of their lives at Algiers, Louisiana, where the death of the father occurred in 1873 and that of the mother in the following year, both haying been devout communicants of the Catholic Church and both having been known for their superior intellectuality. James Foster was reared in his native county, and in the fair old Emerald Isle his youthful educational advantages included those of historic old Trinity College, in the City of Dublin. He established his residence in Louisiana within a short time after coming to the United States, and at Algiers he engaged in business as a ship chandler. As a contractor he developed a large and prosperous business in the supplying of coal to railroad and steamship lines, besides having developed a large general contracting business. He became a loyal supporter of the principles of the democratic party, and he served several years as postmaster at Algiers. Mary, eldest of the children, became the wife of Henry F. Frazer, a cooper by vocation, and both died at Algiers, where the death of Mrs. Frazer occurred in the year 1920; Susan whose death occurred in 1906, was the wife of Henry Doyle, who is a coppersmith and who still resides at Algiers ; George W., of this review, was the next in order of birth; Kate, who resides at Algiers, is the widow of Walter T. Ryan, who was a locomotive engineer and who was killed in a railroad wreck.

George W. Foster was afforded the advantages of parochial, private and public schools at Algiers, and at the age of fourteen years he was there graduated from St. Mary's Academy. After leaving school he found employment as messenger boy for the old M., L. & T. Railroad and Steamship Company. now a part of time Southern Pacific system, and he was advanced to clerical positions of ever increasing responsibility within the fifteen years of his alliance with this corporation. After leaving the railway service he was engaged in the grocery business at Algiers until 1907. He then gave one year to the general contracting business at the same place, and then became associated with the agricultural department of the Louisiana state government, in which he was assigned to the inspection department at New Orleans. Since 1916 he has resided in Baton Rouge and been the efficient incumbent of the office of chief inspector of fertilizers and feed.

Mr. Foster is a staunch advocate of the cause of the democratic party, and while a resident of New Orleans he served as a member of the City Council, as representative of Algiers, which constitutes the Fifth Municipal District of New Orleans. He held this position four years, under the administration of Mayor John Fitzpatrick, and he served an unexpired term of two years and eight months as a member of the school board of Orleans Parish, a post to which he was appointed by Governor Murphy J. Foster.

Mr. Foster is affiliated with Baton Rouge Lodge No. 372, A. F. and A. M., and New Orleans Lodge No. 30, B. P. O. E. He is the owner of a good residence property that was formerly his home at Algiers, and also other real estate at that place.

On the 15th of July, 1920, Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Mrs. Augustine (Reynaud) Randolph, daughter of the late and revered Doctor Reynaud, who was dean of Tulane University at the time of his death. Mrs. Foster received the advantages of the University of Louisiana, and she is a popular factor in the social and cultural circles of the capital city. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have no children.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from A History of Louisiana, by Henry E. Chambers, published in 1925, volume 2, pages 85-86.