Henry Donnel Foster

Henry Donnel Foster (December 19, 1808 – October 16, 1880) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Henry D. Foster
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 21st district
In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Preceded by	John Covode
Succeeded by	Alexander Wilson Taylor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 19th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	Albert Gallatin Marchand
Succeeded by	Job Mann
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 1857-1858
Personal details
Born	December 19, 1808 Mercer, Pennsylvania
Died	October 16, 1880 (aged 71) Irwin, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	College of Meadville

Biography

Henry D. Foster (cousin of John Cabell Breckinridge) was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania. He pursued classical studies, and graduated from the College of Meadville. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1829 and commenced practice in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Foster was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1857 and 1858. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to Congress in 1858. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1860. He unsuccessfully contested the election of John Covode to the Forty-first Congress. Foster was again elected to the Forty-second Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1872. He resumed the practice of law in Greensburg. He moved to Irwin, Pennsylvania, in 1879 and died there in 1880. Interment in St. Clair Cemetery in Greensburg.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Henry Donnel Foster (id: F000305)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard