MOGMJFoster
JOSEPH FOSTER 1802-1878
Grand Master, 1847-1849
BIOGRAPHY
From Biographies of Past Grand Masters, 1821-1901, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri:
Most Worshipful Brother Joseph Foster is shown as a representative in the Grand Lodge from Naphtali Lodge No. 25, of which he was Worshipful Master in 1839. In 1840 he was Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge; 1841 and 1842 Senior Grand Warden; in 1843 again Deputy Grand Master; in 1847 was elected M. W. Grand Master and re-elected in 1848. At the Annual Communication of 1853 was elected Grand Treasurer and re,elected in 1854. He was succeeded as Grand Master by Brother John F. Ryland.
Brother Foster's connection with Masonry cannot be traced farther back than 1839, at which time he was Secretary of Naphtali Lodge No. 25, which he represented in the Grand Body, going from the Secretary's chair to that of Worshipful Master. Evidently he had held the latter office at some former date, as it is recorded he reported to the Grand Lodge in 1839 as "Grand Visitor" — what is now known as Grand Lecturer. In 1843 he attended the famous Baltimore Convention.
He was a member of Missouri Royal Arch Chapter, and served as Excellent High Priest in 1840, 1841, 1843, 1844, 1848 and 1859. In the Grand Chapter he was Grand Treasurer 1847 to 1854, inclusive, a term of eight years. He was Thrice Illustrious Master of his Council Royal and Select Masters, and was the first Grand Recorder in 1864 of the Grand Council R. and S. M. He assisted in organizing St. Louis Commandery No. 1 in 1846, and was the first Generalissimo. He was elected Eminent Commander and served in 1848, re-elected in 1849 and again in 1853. The following year he served as Junior Warden. He was present and assisted in the organization of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Missouri in 1860.
Brother Foster died in St. Louis in 1878; his funeral was in charge of the Grand Lodge, M. W. Brother Thomas C. Ready, Grand Master, officiating. We are unable to secure any information regarding Brother Foster's nativity or other personal history.
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Foster was born in Matthews County VA November 20, 1802 and died in St Louis May 22, 1878
In 1834 he applied for and received the contract for the erection of the Court House for St Louis City and County and after completing the project stayed on as supervising architect and was engaged constantly in altering and extending the edifice
He received his degrees in Portsmouth Naval Lodge, Portsmouth NH in 1823. In 1838 he was one of the seven Masons to organize Naphtali Lodge and served as secretary.
His first attendance at Grand Lodge was in 1838 and in 1839 he was appointed Grand Lecturer by Grand Master McBride. He was appointed as a representative to the Baltimore Convention in 1843 and exemplified the adopted work and lectures before the Grand Lodge. He served as Grand Treasurer in 1853 and 1854. He served as Grand Master in 1847 and 1848.
When he died, agreeable to his request, the Grand Lodge was convened in special session on May 24th and in due and solemn form interred his remains beside the body of his most dear and trusted friend, Anthony O'Sullivan, Past Grand Secretary.
