Major J. Foster

Major J. Foster
Ambrotype of Foster c. 1858
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 14th District
In office
January 5, 1864 – January 2, 1865
Serving with S. A. Hunt and Reuben Whittemore
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 9th District
In office
December 2, 1857 – December 6, 1859
Personal details
Born1823 (1823)
Ohio, U.S.
DiedDecember 12, 1886(1886-12-12) (aged 62–63)
Forestville, Minnesota, U.S.
Resting placeZumbro Hill Cemetery

Major James Foster (1823 – December 12, 1886), also known as M.J. Foster, was an American businessman, politician, and early settler of Fillmore County, Minnesota who served two nonconsecutive terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Foster was born in 1823 in Ohio and was educated in common school.:717

Career

Foster moved to Minnesota Territory in 1854 and settled in Forestville, Minnesota.:717 While in Forestville, Foster built the Fremont House hotel with the help of his childhood friend William Meighen, which he opened in 1856.:717:334 Foster was the proprietor of the hotel for fifteen years.:717

Political career

Foster was elected on October 13, 1857 to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's 9th House district (Fillmore County). Foster served during the 1st Minnesota Legislature, during his first term he was the chairman of the Minnesota State Prison committee.

Foster was again elected on November 3, 1863 to serve in the Minnesota House representing Minnesota's 14th House district (Fillmore County). Foster served during the 6th Minnesota Legislature, during his second term Foster was the chairman of the roads and bridges committee and was a member of both the railroads committee and the towns counties committees.

Later life and death

In 1871 Foster moved to a farm in Forestville.:717 Foster died on December 12, 1886 in Forestville.:717 Foster is buried in Zumbro Hill cemetery, which is now part of the Forestville Mystery Cave State Park.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn (1912). History of Fillmore County, Minnesota. Vol. 2. Chicago: H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
  2. ↑ "About Forestville". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn (1912). History of Fillmore County, Minnesota. Vol. 1. Chicago: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Major J. "M.J." Foster". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved 2026-10-24.
  5. ↑ McGhiever (October 18, 2025). "Zumbro Hill Cemetery Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved October 24, 2026.