Foster, Jonathan Wilson (1870-1950)

Jonathan Wilson Foster was a clothing merchant. He lived at 2060 Comox Street in 1905 and 1906.

He was born in Portsmouth, England on March 26, 1870. His father was Jonathan Wilson Foster. His mother was Jane Welsh.

He went to school in Cookstown, Ontario.

He came to British Columbia in 1896, and started in the tailoring business in 1900.

On July 4, 1904, in Eburne, British Columbia (now the Marpole area of Vancouver), he married Frances Louise Sexsmith. She was born in Eburne, British Columbia, on November 30, 1878. Her father was John Wesley Sexsmith. Her mother was Alice Mary Tuttle.

From 1905 to 1906, Jonathan and Frances were living at 2060 Comox Street.

In December 1906, Jonathan and Mr. Richardson bought John Walker’s clothing store at Hastings Street and Richards Street.

He belonged to the I.O.O.F. [Independent Order of Odd Fellows], an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization.

In 1911, he was living at 1347 Thurlow Street.

He continued in the clothing business throughout the rest of his career.

Jonathan died in North Vancouver on November 8, 1950.

Frances died in Vancouver on January 24, 1968.

 

Jonathan and Frances had the following children

 

Unnamed son

Jonathan and Frances had an unnamed still-born son on June 3, 1906.

 

Alice Louse Foster

Alice Louse Foster was born in Vancouver on February 29, 1908.

She married David Sigvart Mattson. He was born in 1911.

In 1950, Alice and David were living in Atlin, British Columbia. In 1968, they were living in North Vancouver.

Alice died in North Vancouver on December 25, 1987.

David died in 1999.

There are memorials to Alice and David in the Atlin Cemetery in Atlin, British Columbia.

 

John Ansley Foster

John Ansley Foster was born in British Columbia on June 4, 1912, probably in Vancouver.

During the Second World War he was an observer for the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was reported missing after air operations overseas, and was later presumed dead as of December 9, 1941.

 

 

Kenneth Wilson Foster

Kenneth Wilson Foster was born on December 2, 1913, in Vancouver.

He worked for the British Columbia Liquor Control Board.

He married Catherine Garrick. She was born in Calgary, Alberta, on May 2, 1919.

Kenneth died in North Vancouver on November 18, 1989.

Catherine died in North Vancouver between January 6, 1991, and January 16, 1991.

 

Sources

 

Jonathan Wilson Foster

Jonathan Wilson Foster, Who’s Who in Western Canada, 1911, page 178, http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=643172: “Foster, Jonathan Wilson – Merchant, of The fit Reform, 333 Hastings St., Vancouver. Born Portsmouth, England, March 26, 1870, son of J.W. and Jane foster. Educ. Pub. Schs., Cookstown, Ont. Came to British Columbia 1896 and commenced tailoring business Vancouver, 1900. Married Frances Louise Sexsmith, Eburne, B.C., 1904. Has one daughter. Society: I.O.O.F. Address: 1347 Thurlow St., Vancouver, B.C.”

“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2XWN-MX6 : accessed 20 July 2015), Jonathan Wilson Foster, 1870; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Portsea Island, Hampshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD81-3QT : accessed 20 July 2015), Jonathan Wilson Foster and Frances Louise Sexsmith, 02 Jul 1904; citing Eburne, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11373, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,530.

Society, Vancouver Province, July 9, 1904, page 4: “A pretty home wedding took place on the morning of July 2 at the residence of Mr. J.W. Sexsmith, Eburne, where his daughter Frances Louise was married to Mr. Jonathan Wilson Foster of Vancouver. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W.E. Pescott of Vancouver, only the immediate relatives of the family being present. They left by the Princess Victoria on a short trip.”

“John Walker Sells Clothing-House,” Vancouver Province, November 28, 1906, page 1: “a business deal has just been put through whereby the ownership of Walker’s clothing and furnishing store at Hastings and Richards streets will change hands on December 1.

The business will then be taken over by a firm styled J.W. Foster & Co., Ld., composed of two young Vancouverites, Mr. Foster formerly connected with the Fit-Reform establishment and Mr. Richardson formerly of the firm of Richardson & Chambers of Westminster avenue. The amount of the deal is said to be in the neighborhood of $40,000. Mr. Walker states that he has disposed of the business he has built up in the past two years for the purpose of getting time to attend to his varied other interests.”

“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M1KQ : accessed 20 July 2015), Jonathan Foster, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm .

“Echo of Recent Hastings St. Fire; Salvaged Stock of Fit Reform Being Sold Hurriedly as Mr. Foster Is Buying Stock in East for New Store,” Vancouver World, April 19, 1912, page 31: “When the big Hastings street fire two weeks ago almost destroyed the building in which the fit Reform clothing store was located, it was such a really bad burn that no one thought there was a vestige of the stock left worth while looking over. However, when the insurance appraisers settled with Mr. J.W. Foster, proprietor of the store, he found there was a great deal of the stock which had only been slightly damaged, and some of it that was scarcely touched except for water. Later, a temporary store was secured next to the D. Spencer Co. Ltd. departmental store and the remainder of the Fit Reform stock carried there. .  . Mr. Foster, who left a week ago for Montreal, is purchasing an entirely new stock and not an article of the old will go into the new premises. Ill luck seems to have been following Mr. Foster, as he got into the train wreck east of Kamloops when on his way east.”

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLRN-3XV : accessed 20 July 2015), Jonathon Wilson Foster, 08 Nov 1950; citing North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13206, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,032,634.

Jonathan Wilson Foster, death notice, Vancouver Province, November 10, 1950, page 23; Vancouver Sun, November 13, 1950, page 29: “Foster – Passed away at his residence, 747 E. 6th St., North Vancouver, Wed, Nov. T, 1950, Jonathan Wilson Foster, in his 81st yr. survived by his wife, Frances, 1 daughter, Mrs. David Mattson, Atlin, B.C., 1 son, Kenneth W., North Vancouver, also 3 grandchildren. Funeral service in Center & Hanna chapel, West Georgia St., Vancouver, Tues., Nov. 14, at 11 a.m., Rev. David Kerr officiating. Cremation. It is requested that no flowers be sent.

 

Frances Louise Sexsmith (wife of Jonathan Wilson Foster)

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLYQ-CJC : accessed 20 July 2015), Frances Louise Foster, 24 Jan 1968; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13287, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,033,931.

Frances Louise Foster, death notice, Vancouver Province, January 25, 1968, page 20; Vancouver Sun, January 26, 1968, page 42: “Foster – January 24, 1968, Frances Louise, 1825 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, in her 90th year. Widow of the late Jonathan Wilson Foster. Survived by 1 son, Kenneth; and a daughter, Mrs. Alice Mattson, both of North Vancouver; 1 sister, Mrs. W.L. Foster, Vancouver; 3 grandchildren. Funeral service in Burrard Chapel, Lonsdale Avenue at 12th Street, Saturday, January 27 at 1 p.m., Rev. S.F. Sears officiating. Cremation. Flowers gratefully declined.”

 

Unnamed male Foster (son of Jonathan Wilson Foster)

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKC-36N : accessed 20 July 2015), Foster, 03 Jun 1906; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B13095, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,927,123; medical certificate of death: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11589-79232-30?cc=1538285.

Son of J.W. Foster, death notice, Vancouver Province, June 4, 1906, page 3: “Births: Foster – The wife of J.W. Foster, 2060 Comox street, a son, still-born.”

 

Alice Louise Foster (daughter of Jonathan Wilson Foster)

British Columbia Death Registrations; Registration Number: 1987-09-021311; Alice Louse Mattson; age 79; date of death: December 25, 1987; place of death: North Vancouver; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=4e1d5f61-32e1-4323-b406-67f96f2adbe0.

David Sigvard Mattson; 1911-1999; Atlin Cemetery, Atlin, North – Northwest, BC; http://www.geneofun.on.ca/names/photo/6418.

Alice Louise Mattson, 1908-1987; Atlin Cemetery, Atlin, North – Northwest, BC; http://www.geneofun.on.ca/names/photo/6417

Mattson death index, http://obits.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/obit.cgi?Surname=mattson%2Br%22&type=Keyword&Start=500; “MATTSON, David S; ; North Vancouver BC; Province; 1999-1-13; verbeek; MATTSON, David Sigvard; 87; Vancouver BC>Stockholm SWE; Vanc Sun (BC); 1999-1-12; mumtaz”

 

John Ansley Foster (son of Jonathan Wilson Foster)

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLYD-R4V : accessed 20 July 2015), John Ansley Foster, 09 Dec 1941; citing Overseas, British Columbia, Canada; British Columbia Archives film number B14427, Division of Vital Statistics, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,231,497.

 

Kenneth W. Foster (son of Jonathan Wilson Foster)

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1989-09-019406; Kenneth Wilson Foster; age 75; date of death: November 18, 1989; place of death: North Vancouver;  http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=9a8ef1ec-dd87-4ba2-8e3b-d6771f17936a; medical certificate of death: http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=843259ac-80e0-4c72-a5fd-bc193625da9d.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1991-09-000883; Catherine Foster; age 71; date of death: January 6, 1991; place of death: North Vancouver; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=b4259db5-b90d-4f43-a7c3-617be2cce0ec; medical certificate of death: http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=55275bc2-fd89-4d68-ba65-9c9fd106711e.