JOHN FOSTER , proprietor of Foster's livery, Washington street, near Ninth, established the business at that location in March, 1872. In July, 1876, he added the undertaking business, and has since carried on both, employing a capital of about $12,000. His stock comprises about forty horses and a corresponding number of vehicles. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, three and a half miles south of the city, which he also cultivates. Mr. Foster is a native of Ireland, born March 19, 1840; came to America with parents, in 1847, landing in Philadelphia in January. The family lived for a time in New York and Pennsylvania; came to Illinois in 1852, and lived a number of years in Lee and Whiteside counties. In October, 1862, the subject of this memoir came to Springfield, and was employed as a hand in the lumber business about eight years. At the end of that time he started in business of teaming, which he carried on about five years before engaging in livery. Mr. Foster married in Springfield, in 1863, to Mary Grady, also born in Ireland, and came to the city about the same time he did. They have seven children and one adopted child. Mr. F. was elected Alderman of the First Ward in the spring of 1881; is a member of the Western Catholic Union, and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.