Foster, John H.

John H. Foster (1796-1874) was a doctor and landowner in Chicago. He came to Chicago because his brother was killed by a drunken soldier.

Dr. Foster was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire and became a surgeon in the Black Hawk War. Around 1835, his brother, an army officer stationed in Chicago was shot and killed while trying to reprimand a drunken soldier. Dr. Foster came to town to take charge of his brother's extensive real estate holdings--and, he never left.

John Foster took a deep interest in public school education and for more than 15 years was a member of the Chicago Board of Education Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education. He donated $1,000 to the city to establish a fund from medals for exemplary grammar school students.

At the age of 78, Dr. Foster was killed thrown from his carriage and landed on his head on Division Street.

Foster Avenue is named after Dr. Foster.