Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-20
John Barton Foster. l. L. D.

1t was with no surprise that our citi-
Zens learned of the death from heart
trouble, at his home on College avenue
yesterday morning, of Prof. John Bar
ton Foster, l.. l.. D., an old and highly
esteemed citizen. Prof. Foster had been
ill for more than a year and it was
understood among his friends that there
was no hope for recovery. But a few
days before his death he was out on the
front porch of his residence and APP
peared to be no worse than for some
time past. His death removes from the
city one of the oldest and most re-
spected citizens as well as one of the
earliest of the graduates of the old Wa
tervile college, now Colby university.
The funeral will occur from the late
residence, Saturday, at 2 o'clock p. M,
the Rev. w. II. Spencer of the Elm
Street Baptist church conducting the
services. Undertaken Redington will
have charge of the funeral. Prof Foster
leaves widow, the daughter of J. w.
Philbrick of this city.
John Barton Foster was born in Bos-
ton in 1922 and was therefore in his
18th year. He came to Waterville when
he was about years of age and has
spent nearly all of his life since, here.
He received his early education in the
public schools of the town and in Wa
terville academy, being one of the first
pupils to enter the later institution
which was opened in 1929. Between
tn eyears of 1886 and 1888 he gained a
practical knowledge of mechanical af-
fairs by working at trade.
The last of the year he began to pre-
pare for college and entered Waterville
| college in August 1899. and was gradu-
ated in 1S43. For two years succeeding
his graduation he was engagedin teach
ing in the academies at China and
Lexington, Mass. In 1849 he resigned
and entered the ministry. His first pas
| torate was the Baptist church in Gar
diner ut he was obliged to resign on
account of failing health. In 1847 he
| entered Newton Theological seminary
and was graduated from that institu-
ton in 1850 and then was called to take
editorial charge of lions Advocate.
where he remained for eight years and
then was elected to the chair of Greek
and Latin in Waterville college to sue
coed the late DIR. Chaplain who was
elected to the presidency of the college
| He continued in that position until
Commencement. 1893. when he resigned
and retired from active work.
AS incidental to his college duties, the
main work of his life. Prof. Foster has
done valuable service for the educational
and religious interests of the community
| and to the State at large. His teaching
| in the adult Bible class in the Baptlst
Sunday school for over 30 years as we'll
as his other connection with the church
interests, as supervisor of the public
schools of Waterville, as occasional
preacher in the various pulpits of the
State. and as treasurer of the State Bap-
fist convention for over 30 years, he has
exerted an influence for good which has
| been widely felt. AS teacher he always
had the respect and love of his pupils. In
the class room he was uniformly polite
IN his address to students and he pos
sessed rare ability to regulate the de-
corum of his classes.
Since his resignation from the duties Of
professorship In college, Prof Foster has
passed the greater part of his time at his
; home on College avenue. His health has