The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-22
JOHN E. FOSTER, CLOTHIER, DEAD End Came This Forenoon Fol- lowing Illness Of One
 Week ACUTE INDIGESTION
 PRIMARY CAUSE The Deceased, Starting Life As Poor Boy, Became New Eng land Figure In His
 Business

John B. Foster, for many years a conspicuous figure in the business life of Bridgeport, died at his home, 255 Park avenue, at 7 o'clock this morn ing, aged 63 years. An attack of acute indigestion, a week ago Saturday, so weakened him that he was unable to rally when heart trouble seized him early this morning. His death, while sudden, was not wholly unexpected for physicians who attended him dur ing the week had seen his strength failing, and had warned his family of the critical nature of his illness.
 MT. Foster was essentially a, self made man. A native of Middlesex, Vt, where he was born Nov. 15, 1851, the son of MT. and Mrs. Charles A. such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools of his little birthplace. When IT years of age, he secured employment in Wa terbury with the Harris Clothing Co. While working as a clothing clerk in the Brass City he married Elizabeth Buchanan, also of Waterbury. who survives him.
 MT. Foster went from Waterbury to take up similar employment in Hol- yoke, and shortly afterwards, 37 years ago, came to Bridgeport The firm of Foster & Dudley was formed,s and a clothing business started in the SturdeYant block in the ground floor of the business having the quarters now occupied by Burr & Knapp, bankers.
 Two years after the firm was launched Lyman w. Besse of Spring field, the father of the Besse system, bought out the interests of MT. Dud- ley, and the firm name of Foster, Besse & Co. was adopted. MT. Foster had interest not only in the Bridge port store, but in the numerous other ssfr fz,%A &Ia Besse system, upwards of 80 stores through New England, and he took no mean part in the upbui1ding of the rich circuit Of clothing stores.
 Believing in the policy of many sales at small profits, and the estab- lishment of confidence among pur- chasers in the stability of his mer- chandise, MT. Foster was highly successful merchant and built up a business that brought him not only substantial returns but won him the admiration and trust of his rival tradesmen.
 MT. Foster originated an idea that won the firm widespread publicity that of tossing overcoats from the roof of the store, as a means of advertising the merchandise. The scrambles for Foster & Besse's overcoats were among the most successful advertising exploits recorded in the mercantile annals of Bridgeport in the early days of the firms existence.
 MT. Foster was man of simple tastes. Though blessed with consid- erab1e wealth, he preferred the sim p1icity of his own home to the osten- tation of club life and society. HeI built a fine residence in Park avenue, where was spent the great part of his time away from business. He was a member of the Brook1awn club, and of Samuel H. Harris lodge, I. O. O. F.
 MT. Fosters financial interests led some years ago to his election to the directorate of the Pequonnock bank, a position he held at the time of his death. He was Republican in poli- ties Though he took no great part in political affairs, he served for three years as a member of the board of Charities. He was appointed by Henry Lee, as mayor, to this board, 1909, and at the expiration of his two year term, was re-appointed by Ed ward T. Buckingham. When one year of his second term had expired, he resigned, owing to the press of his business affairs.
 MT. Foster is survived by his widow and four children. The children are Edward L. and John B, Jr., both of whom were. associated with their fath- CT in business, William B. and Miss Mildred.
 MT. Foster was a deacon for many years in the First Baptist church. In memory of the deep friendship that existed between them, Rev. George w. Nicholson, pastors emeritus of the church, will officiate at the obsequtes which will be held on Wednesday af- ternoon at the bereaved home. Rev. John R. Brown, the present pastor of the church, will assist Rev. MT. Mich olson.