George H. Foster, M.D.

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Dr. FOSTER in his professional service has been prompted by a laudable ambition for advancement as well as by deep sympathy and humanitarian principles that urge him to put forth his best efforts in the alleviation of pain and suffering. He has gained recognition from the profession as one of its able representatives and the trust reposed in him by the public is indicated by the liberal patronage awarded him. Dr. George H. FOSTER has been a resident of Rockaway for nearly a quarter of a century and during that entire period has been engaged in his work as a skilled physician.

A native son of New Jersey, Dr. FOSTER was born at Branchville, Sussex county, 1859, son of Harvey P. and Susan E. (BEEMER) FOSTER, the former of whom was born in the State of Vermont and the latter in Sussex county, New Jersey. The father was engaged in the work of his trade – that of carpenter – during the major portion of his active career. Mr. and Mrs. FOSTER had six children:

Stephen P.;
Ellis L.;
Sarah A., wife of Charles ARCHER;
Rose M., wife of Ogden SICLES;
George H., to whom this sketch is dedicated;
Viola, died in infancy.

After completing the curriculum of the common schools of Sussex county, Dr. George H. FOSTER attended the Newton Institute for one year. He then began to teach school and was engaged in pedagogic work in Morris county for the ensuing three years, at the end of which time he began to study medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. BOOTH at Morris Plains Hospital, where he was employed. In 1886 he was matriculated as a student in Bellevue College, New York City, and in the medical department thereof was graduated three years later with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after graduation he came to Rockaway and here initiated the active practice of his profession. His career excites the admiration and has won the respect of his contemporaries, and in a calling in which one has to gain reputation by merit he has advanced steadily until he is acknowledged as the equal of most of the members of the profession in this part of the country. Politically, Dr. FOSTER is a Republican. He is a member of the J. O. U. A. M. and of the F. and A. M., while in religious matters he and his wife are Presbyterians, he having served as a deacon in the local parish.

In April, 1891, Dr. FOSTER married Marie A. MENAGH, whose birth occurred at Mendham, New Jersey, but who grew up in Rockaway. Mrs. FOSTER is a daughter of Dr. John V. and Elizabeth (SMITH) MENAGH, the former a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and the latter of New York City. Dr. MENAGH was for many years a prominent physician in Rockaway and he died in 1891. He was a Democrat but not a politician in any sense of the word, and he was a devout member of the Presbyterian church. There were two children in the MENAGH family:

Libbie, deceased;
Mrs. FOSTER.

For many years prior to her marriage. Mrs. FOSTER was a successful music teacher in Rockaway. She obtained her musical education in the State Model School, which she attended for three years, and under the tutelage of a prominent professor of music in New York City. She is a charming and gifted woman, and both she and her husband stand in the esteem of their fellow citizens at Rockaway. Dr. and Mrs. FOSTER have no children.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).