William B. Foster

William Barclay Foster (1779–1855) was an American businessman and political figure from Pennsylvania. He was known for his involvement in commerce, politics, and community development in the early 19th century. Foster was the father of Stephen Foster, a prominent American songwriter.

Born in 1779, William Foster was the son of James Alexander Foster, who was born in 1738 into an Ulster Scots family from County Donegal. James Foster was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, and relocated to Western Pennsylvania after the Revolutionary War, along with other Irish families of Ulster Scotch heritage. James Foster was among the founders and original trustees of Canonsburg Academy, established in 1791. William Foster attended Canonsburg Academy until age sixteen.

In the early 19th century, William Foster moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, shortly after the city’s incorporation. He initially worked with the company of Denny and Bellen, which dealt in dry goods, hardware, and related merchandise. Foster advanced to become a partner in the firm and traveled extensively in business activities. During the War of 1812, he supplied provisions to the United States military as a commissioned agent.

Foster was active in public service, serving three terms as a Pennsylvania state legislator. He also held the position of mayor of Allegheny City, now a part of Pittsburgh, serving two separate terms. Acknowledged as a community leader, he was described as a patriot and an outstanding servant to his community, state, and government.

In 1814, William Foster founded the community of Lawrenceville, naming it in honor of naval hero James Lawrence. The community was later annexed into the city of Pittsburgh as a neighborhood.

Foster married Eliza Clayland Tomlinson on November 14, 1807, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The couple had children, including Stephen Foster, who became renowned for his compositions.

Later in his life, Foster believed that the U.S. government owed him money for serving as a commissary agent in 1822 and again in 1850. However, his claims were unsuccessful, and he did not receive payment.

Primary source materials related to William Barclay Foster, including family letters, business documents, ledgers, maps, and personal writings, are preserved at the University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives Service Center. These materials have been digitized and are accessible remotely.

William Foster passed away in 1855, leaving a legacy as a prominent merchant, community founder, and public official in Pennsylvania.